Energy Department Awards States Funds For Energy Efficiency

Washington, D.C. — Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman today announced that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is providing 38 states with $26.5 million in State Energy Program (SEP) grants for Fiscal Year 2005. This is part of $44 million to be distributed to the 50 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories in this fiscal year. SEP grants support and encourage state energy-saving and efficiency goals.

"These grants will help states improve energy efficiency in ways that meet their individual needs," said Secretary Bodman. "Increasing America's energy efficiency is a key component of President Bush's national energy policy."

State energy program funds have supported projects such as California's "Energy Saving Traffic Lights;" Illinois' Small Business $mart Energy Program; Indiana's purchase of two compressed natural gas street sweepers; and Kentucky's biodiesel infrastructure program, connecting biodiesel customers with biodiesel distributors across the state. SEP projects are managed by state energy offices with support from DOE's six regional energy efficiency and renewable energy offices.

Every $1 invested by SEP is matched by $3.54 by state and local governments and the private sector, and saves the American people $7.23. The State Energy Program saves an average 41.35 million British thermal units (Btu) per year, reducing energy bills by $256 million. DOE is distributing a total of $44 million in SEP grants this year to every state and U.S. territory, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

A listing of DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy state activities and partnerships, many of which are partially funded by SEP grants, can be found at: www.eere.energy.gov/states.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Energy