Recovery Act to Invest Over $20 Million in Energy Efficiency for New Mexico, Over $3 Million in the Third District
Washington, DC – Today, Representative Ben Ray Luján applauded the announcement by Vice President Joe Biden and Energy Secretary Steven Chu of a national investment of $3.2 billion in energy efficiency and conservation projects will be funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. New Mexico is set to receive over $20 million in funding, and communities in the Third Congressional District are set to receive $3,110,200 to improve energy efficiency. The funding will be provided by the Department of Energy through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program.
“Communities will be able to use these grants to improve energy efficiency by performing energy audits, retrofitting homes and businesses, and creating new programs encouraging energy efficiency improvements,” said Rep. Luján. “Investments in energy efficiency will help move New Mexico toward energy independence, create green jobs, and save families and businesses money.”
According to the White House and the Department of Energy, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program will provide formula grants for projects that reduce total energy use and fossil fuel emissions, and improve energy efficiency nationwide. The funding will support energy audits and energy efficiency retrofits in residential and commercial buildings, the development and implementation of advanced building codes and inspections, and the creation of financial incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements. Other activities eligible for use of grant funds include transportation programs that conserve energy, projects to reduce and capture methane and other greenhouse gas emissions from landfills, renewable energy installations on government buildings, energy efficient traffic signals and street lights, deployment of systems like Combined Heat and Power or district heating and cooling, among other options.
To learn more visit the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program web site or Energy.gov/recovery.
FUNDING ALLOCATIONS TO NEW MEXICO AND COMMUNITIES IN THE THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
New Mexico State Energy Office - $9,593,500
City of Clovis - $139,800
City of Farmington - $128,700
City of Rio Rancho - $697,000
City of Santa Fe – $781,600
McKinley County - $299,600
Rio Arriba County - $166,500
San Juan County - $329,400
Sandoval County - $169,500
Santa Fe County - $264,000
Taos County - $134,100
Total for the Third Congressional District - $3,110,200
