Governor Rell: $15.4 Million in Stimulus Funds

To Bolster Clean Energy Programs, Green Collar Jobs

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that the state is receiving $15.4 million in federal stimulus funds for its broad-based State Energy Plan designed to expand fuel cell initiatives, help homeowners and businesses reduce energy costs with alternative technologies, improve the efficiency of state-owned buildings and create green collar jobs to meet the needs of the emerging technologies.

            Governor Rell said the state was notified today (June 24) from the U.S. Department of Energy that it was one of just 10 states to receive the stimulus energy funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The $15.4 million is part of the $38 million in stimulus funds Connecticut is expected to receive overall to support its State Energy Plan, submitted to the federal government last month.

            “I am tremendously pleased that federal energy officials have endorsed our energy goals. To develop the economy of the future we must have strong foundation that includes renewable and alternative energy sources and clean technology and a highly skilled workforce that will complement it all,” Governor Rell said. “Fortunately, Connecticut has been ahead of the national curve on so many of those fronts. These funds will help us continue that momentum.”

The State Energy Plan is expected to deliver energy savings of 10 million BTU for every $1,000 spent.

The State Energy Plan outlines a number of efficiency projects and conservation programs, including one that provides inexpensive in-home energy audits designed to lower utility bills and encourage energy efficiency, while creating jobs for specially trained workers to conduct the audits. The Governor said the funding also will be used to support four Clean Cities coalitions – Greater New Haven, Clean Cities of Southwestern Connecticut, Norwich Clean Cities and Capital Clean Cities.

The Governor said $19 million of the $38 million will be dedicated to fuel cell incentives and geothermal, solar and thermal and solar photovoltaic systems through the Clean Energy Fund.

            The following is the funding breakdown for the total $38 million stimulus award:

• $8 million will be dedicated to expanding current fuel cell initiatives with a goal of completing 14 more projects

• $5 million for a new program that will offer rebates for residential and commercial geothermal systems with a goal of 600 installations
• $4 million for rebates for residential and commercial solar thermal systems with a goal of 1,000 installations
• $3 million to expand the Clean Energy Fund’s solar photovoltaic programs for homes and businesses with a goal of 300 more projects
• $6.25 million for private and municipal utilities (Connecticut Light & Power, United Illuminating and Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative) to expend programs that provide ratepayers with energy audits and low cost efficiency technologies
• $2.86 million to CL&P and UI to expand conservation and efficiency programs for small businesses
• $3.35 million to CL&P, UI and CMEEC to expand conservation and efficiency programs for large commercial customers
• $5 million for energy efficiency improvements in state buildings
• $550,000 for training and certification of building operators and inspectors to comply with new building code energy components
• $200,000 for administrative support to four Connecticut Clean Cities coalition (Greater New Haven, Southwestern Connecticut, Norwich and Capitol Clean Cities Coalition)
• $292,000 for administrative support for the Office of Policy and Management to administer the state energy plan and energy block grants to municipalities 

“Our State Energy Plan will ensure that Connecticut remains well-positioned for economic recovery and sustained prosperity with the next generation of green jobs and green technology,” Governor Rell said.

            To view the entire State Energy Plan and for more information on the ARRA in Connecticut, visit the state’s stimulus Web site at www.ct.gov and click on the CT Recovery link.

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