Sen. Menendez Announces $14 Million For State Of NJ From Latest Batch Of His Energy Efficiency Program

Funds are awarded to New Jersey State Energy Office to use at state and local levels

September 29, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today announced that New Jersey’s State Energy Office has been awarded a total of $14,400,700 in funding from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program, which he created as part of energy legislation in 2007 and fought to fund while crafting the economic recovery package.

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A portion of this funding will be used for state energy efficiency programs and a portion will be doled out to smaller municipalities that were not eligible to receive direct funding from the block grant program. Of the $3.2 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding allocated for the program, New Jersey is eligible to receive a total of $73 million between eligible cities, towns, counties and the state.

“This strong investment in energy efficiency helps us recover from the economic crisis, while laying the foundation for long term economic security,” said Menendez. “This projects that will receive funding will help put families back to work, reduce energy costs, cut dirty emissions and save taxpayers money. These are components of a strong green energy economic future that reduces the reliance fossil fuels and reduces strain on family budgets”

The EECBG program provides municipalities and counties with the resources to support energy-saving initiatives and improve energy efficiency in transportation, buildings, and other sectors. Activities eligible for EECBG funding include 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.

Source: Senator Robert Menendez