Recovery in Action: Powering a Greener Economy

While President Obama and key members of his Administration work to address global climate change issues in Copenhagen, here at home the Recovery Act is funding a wide array of projects to increase energy efficiency, develop new clean energy technologies, and train workers for the green jobs of the future. The President recently spoke about how the Recovery Act is helping retrofit existing homes and businesses to take advantage of new energy-saving technologies, and news outlets and officials across the country are reporting on new Recovery Act-funded clean energy projects in their communities. A sample of these stories are linked below, detailing new projects in Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Tennessee and Washington:

Georgia, Fox 5 Atlanta, 12/18/09

Solar Energy Projects Will Receive Funding Through Georgia’s ARRA-Supported Clean Energy Property Rebate Program:  “State officials say solar energy projects are receiving $4.5 million through Georgia's Clean Energy Property Rebate Program. A bill aproved by the Georgia Legislature this year created a commercial clean energy rebate program for solar, wind, energy efficiency and geothermal heat pump projects, with funding contingent on the availability of federal stimulus money. Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority executive director Phil Foil says his agency received $82.5 million in stimulus funds for the state energy program and obligated $4.5 million for clean energy rebates.”

Iowa, Office of Senator Tom Harkin, 12/17/09

Senator Harkin Announced More Than $45,000 In Recovery Act Funding For Energy Efficiency And Conservation Block Grants: “Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) announced today that Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa will receive a total of $46,600 in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) from the Department of Energy (DOE) as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the Recovery Act)... Specifically, this funding will be used for: energy audits and building retrofits in the residential and commercial sector, the development and implementation of advanced building codes and inspections and the creation of financial incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements.”

Colorado, Telluride Watch, 12/17/09

The City Of Ouray Was Awarded A Stimulus-Funded Grant To Install A 20 Kilowatt Micro-Hydro Generating Unit; The System Is Expected To Save The City Approximately $12,000 In Annual Electricity Expenditures: “The City of Ouray has been awarded a $30,000 grant from the Colorado Governors Energy Office to install a 20 kilowatt micro-hydro generating unit to be located at the Ouray Hot Springs Pool... The electrical output from the system will be net-metered to offset the electricity use of the pool complex, saving the city approximately $12,000 in annual electricity expenditures. The powerhouse for the project will be constructed by a shop class from Ouray High School. Once completed, the project will provide an added tourist attraction to visitors to Ouray Hot Springs"

Tennessee, Nashville Business Journal, 12/16/09

Tennessee Career Center Will Use Stimulus Funding To Train Displaced Workers In Business Information Technology, Solar Panel Installation/Welding, Practical Nursing And Physical Therapy: “Displaced workers from General Motors' Spring Hill facility and the plant's associated suppliers may benefit in $1 million worth of new grants from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development announced Wednesday... Training will be available in business information technology, solar panel installation/welding, practical nursing and physical therapy, among other areas. Training providers include the Tennessee Technology Center at Hohenwald, the Tennessee Technology Center at Pulaski and Columbia State Community College.”

Washington, Gov. Chris Gregoire's Office, 12/17/09

Stimulus Will Fund Projects To Build Or Enhance Clean Water Infrastructure In Washington State, Create Nearly 1,280 Construction Jobs: “Gov. Chris Gregoire and the Washington Department of Ecology have approved the last four projects to share part of $66 million in Recovery Act funding to build or enhance clean water infrastructure. They will share $9 million and provide nearly 80 short-term construction jobs. They bring to 17 the state’s total of clean water projects funded through the Recovery Act. Together, they are estimated to create 1,280 construction jobs and retain 21 jobs in the state…’This is an incredibly fast time frame for communities to get contracts bid and signed in the next two months, and I thank everyone for pitching in to move this along,’ Gregoire said. ‘The hard work of our communities will lead to job creation, economic recovery and environmental protection…Clark County’s Upper Whipple Creek habitat protection and runoff control project, which will receive $850,000 to protect five acres of critical wetland habitat. The project will reduce flooding and protect downstream reaches of the creek from runoff erosion…Cowlitz County’s failing sewer system in Ryderwood, which will receive $2.9 million to replace defective sewer mainlines and pipes. The project will rehabilitate or replace 28 sewer manholes…Rock Island wastewater treatment facility in Douglas County, which will receive $3.4 million to help construct a new wastewater collection system that will serve approximately 270 residents. The subsidy is a forgivable-principal loan. The city has applied for additional low-interest loan funding from the Clean Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund.”