Energy Efficiency Funds Pour In Across U.S.

With the recently passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant, states are beginning to receive their funds for energy efficiency improvements. These funds will go towards improvements and upgrades for government buildings and low-income housing, as well as creating thousands of local jobs.

"Energy efficiency isn't just low-hanging fruit; it's fruit lying on the ground. We have the tools to reduce energy use at home and at work and to provide huge savings to families and businesses on their energy bills. But use of these technologies has been far too limited because we lack the simple and effective ways for people to access them," said U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu in a recent statement.

With the slow economy and rising energy prices, the government is hoping that these funds for energy efficiency will free up the billions of dollars spent each year on wasted energy.

With the federal funds for energy efficiency beginning to flow, the government announced this week that Tennessee will receive $99 million, Georgia $129 million, Oklahoma $18.6 million, and Wyoming $9.5 million. $53 million will be divided between American Samoa, the Northern Arapaho Tribe, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Only around half of these funds will be delivered initially, as the remaining allotments will come pending proof of successful use of the initial funds. Locally, Texas will receive $162 million, and Travis County has already received $2.2 million.

For more information:

Here is a list of 22 states that have begun receiving funds.

Here is a list of local governments that have already received funds.

Here is a list of Texas Cities and Counties that have begun receiving funds.