Nevada gets $32 million in stimulus grants for energy efficiency projects

By Jeremy Twitchell

Thursday, March 26, 2009 | 3:25 p.m.

The White House announced Thursday morning $32 million in economic stimulus grants to fund energy efficiency improvement projects throughout Nevada.

More than half the money — almost $17.4 million — will go to Southern Nevada, while the State Energy Office will get $9.6 million to fund its grant programs. The rest will be distributed throughout the state.

Nationwide, the grants package totals $3.2 billion. Funds were distributed based on a formula that took into account population and energy use.

The money may be used in a variety of projects: energy audits, energy efficiency retrofits, financial incentive programs for energy-efficient residences and businesses, energy-efficient transportation systems, municipal renewable energy systems and emissions capturing devices.

Municipalities and agencies receiving the money will be required to report back to the Energy Department on how the money is spent and the amount of energy saved and jobs created in the process.

“Local leaders will have the flexibility in how they put these resources to work – but we will hold them accountable for making the investments quickly and wisely to spur the local economy and cut energy use,” Vice President Joe Biden said in a statement.

Clark County will receive almost $7.7 million, the largest sum in Nevada aside from the State Energy Office.

“We’re in the process of gathering info … We don’t have any specifics yet,” county spokeswoman Jennifer Knight said.

Las Vegas, which will receive more than $5.4 million, has outlined several possible uses for the money but has not assigned it. In a presentation at last week’s City Council meeting, a stimulus coordinating committee identified more than $19.5 million in energy-saving projects the city can do, including upgrading street lights, installing solar panels on city buildings and conducting energy audits of city facilities.

Henderson, which recently entered a $17.5 million contract to do a citywide energy efficiency overhaul of municipal buildings, will receive $2.2 million.

City spokeswoman Kathy Blaha said Henderson has identified several potential projects for the money, including renewable energy systems and additional efficiency upgrades not included in the new contract. Now that city officials know how much money they have to work with, they will prioritize those projects next week, she said.

“We’re really excited about this grant because it allows us to expand on what we’re already doing,” Blaha said.

Elsewhere in Clark County, North Las Vegas will receive $1.9 million, Mesquite will receive $69,900 and Boulder City will receive $61,600.