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

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

Department of Energy

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.

Discussion: 4 comments so far…

By neiman1

3/26/09 at 4:18 p.m.

Suggest removal

Just remember, the environmentalist don't want solar in the desert. The roads and wires will harm the planet. Let's follow California's lead and BAN black automobiles because they are less reflective.

Today their unelected pollution board will now REQUIRE all auto repair shops to check tire pressure on every car to improve gas mileage. We can do the same, and then this money can hire people to check on the repair shops and print forms for them to fill out proving they did it.

Where is this country going, maybe rejoining Mexico is not such a bad idea.
By afveteran

3/26/09 at 4:45 p.m.

Suggest removal

Everybody needs to jump on this bandwagon.
By airweare

3/30/09 at 2:49 p.m.

Suggest removal

Cynicism like what neiman espouses gets nobody nowhere. Actually, adjusting tire pressure does improve mileage. What's the problem? Doing something right?

The run-on sentence about Mexico is a cheap, back-handed slap at neighbors to the south who really don't need to be bashed right now.

Environmentalists and ordinary people who use power for all kinds of things are intereseted in where our energy comes from. Tapping the sun for juice is a logical strategy. Hundreds of solar panels presently provide gobs of electricity. Putting more of them to use is in everyone's interest. What is your problem with environmentalists wanting to utilize solar from the desert? You make no sense. Why don't you just go get loaded and forget trying to bad-mouth everything in sight?
By jsayler

9/4/09 at 11:16 a.m.

Suggest removal

Hopefully, this country is taking the road to improve the environment, the health of its citizens and the future of our country for our children. So many new options and methods out there need to be explored without eliminating any issue accept those that actually cause KNOWN harm to our environment and citizens.

It is so difficult not to have hate for some of these ideological terrorists (those seeking to manipulate the public to promote hate and fear) but (if I did) I would be little better than are they!