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To
put people back to work and reduce U.S.
dependence on foreign oil, the Recovery Act
makes significant investments in renewable energy,
energy efficiency and green technologies. For more information, see
the following web sites.
State Energy
Program
The U.S. Department of
Energy’s State Energy Program (SEP) will
provide formula grants to states for
programs designed to increase energy
efficiency, reduce energy use and costs,
develop alternative energy and renewable
energy sources, promote economic
development, and reduce our state’s reliance
on foreign oil. Illinois' formula allocation
for SEP under the ARRA is $101,321,000.
Energy Efficiency
& Conservation Block Grants
The purpose of the U.S.
Department of Energy’s EECBG program is to
help eligible state and local governments
implement energy efficiency and conservation
strategies to reduce fossil fuel emissions
within the jurisdictions, reduce total
energy use, and improve energy efficiency in
transportation, building, and other sectors.
Illinois’ total distribution under the EECBG
Program is $112,175,600. Of this amount,
90,341,000 is for direct grants to large
local governments. The remaining $21,834,600
will come to DCEO. Sixty percent of DCEO’s
funds must be used to provide grants to
small units of local government that are not
eligible for direct grants from the U.S.
Department of Energy. Types of projects
likely to be covered may include:
alternative fueled/electric fleet vehicles;
building energy audits; efficiency
improvements or renewable energy
technologies for government facilities;
distributed energy resource technologies
(e.g. combined heat and power, ground source
heat pumps); and, energy efficient traffic
signals and street lighting.
"Smart” Appliance
Rebates for Consumers
ENERGY STAR is a joint
program of the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy
designed to help Americans save money and
protect the environment through energy
efficient products and practices. The ENERGY
STAR label is now on major appliances,
office equipment, lighting, home
electronics, and more. DCEO is expected to
receive Illinois’ share of “Smart” Rebates
formula funding provided by ARRA. At this
time, the U.S. Department of Energy has not
yet determined the formula for distribution
to each state.
Home
Weatherization Assistance Program
The Home Weatherization
Assistance Program helps low-income
households improve their homes, reduce their
energy consumption and lower their utility
bills. Energy conservation measures such as
air sealing, attic and wall insulation,
furnace repairs or replacements, electric
baseload reduction (lighting and
refrigeration), and window and door work are
provided free of charge to eligible
households. The maximum amount of work to be
done on a home is based on each individual
type of home with a maximum of $7,500 when
major energy-related repairs are needed. The
state’s network of Community Action Agencies
delivers the program in Illinois.
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