Sen. Harkin Announces Additional $20 Million In Recovery Act Dollars For Iowa's Energy Program

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October 8, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced that Iowa’s State Energy Program has been awarded $20 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to reduce energy use and create jobs throughout Iowa. The funds will be used to expand the Building Energy Smart Iowa Program under the Iowa Office of Energy Independence (OEI), which is focused on increasing energy efficiency.

These Recovery Act dollars are in addition to the $20 million that was awarded to Iowa for this program earlier in the year. Harkin is a senior member of the Appropriations Committee that helped to shape the Recovery Act.

"Iowa is already leading the way in the production and use of renewable energy, which is growing our state’s economy and lowering our energy costs. Today’s funding will provide additional resources to train more workers in this industry and create good jobs across our state,” said Harkin. “Recovery Act dollars such as these are helping to lay the foundation for a stronger and more stable economic future for Iowa."

Specifically, the Building Energy Smart Iowa Program plans to make grants of up to $100,000 to public, private and non-profit entities across the state for workforce training and public information projects, with the goal of increasing the state’s capacity for energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy projects. OEI will work with Iowa Workforce Development to monitor projects to ensure they are successful.

Source: Senator Tom Harkin