Honolulu to Receive $3 million for Energy Efficiency Initiatives

October 30, 2009 -- WASHINGTON -- Honolulu will receive $3,863,700 to fund energy efficient initiatives including the reduction of fossil fuel emissions, the creation of green jobs, and the implementation of practices that lessen overall energy use, Senators Daniel K. Inouye and Daniel K. Akaka announced today.

The federal funds are made available to Honolulu through the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) award.

Article continues below...

The grant is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

"Given the state of our local economy and the budget restrictions facing state and county governments, the federal government must fund initiatives that not only save cities money but also lessen our dependence on imported fossil fuels," said Senator Inouye. "We should be promoting sustainable, energy efficient practices in our buildings and looking for ways to reduce our energy use."

"Energy efficiency allows us to do more while wasting less. It means lower utility bills for hard working families and cleaner air and water for our keiki," said Senator Akaka. "This Recovery Act funding will put Hawaii residents to work improving buildings to save energy, reduce pollution, and keep the islands green."

Under DOE's EECBG Program, funds are awarded to help communities improve their energy efficiency, reduce their energy use and fossil fuel emissions, and create green jobs locally.

Honolulu's award comes a month after Hawaii County received $737,800 in EECBG grants.

Funding for the EECBG Program under the Recovery Act totals $3.2 billion, of which approximately $2.7 billion will be awarded through formula grants to more than 2,300 cities, counties, states, and Indian tribes nationwide. In addition, more than $400 million will be delivered through competitive grants, which will be awarded through a separate, future Funding Opportunity Announcement.

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 Daniel K. Akaka