05/05/2009 GAAS:222:09 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version |
Gov. Schwarzenegger Announces California First State in Nation to Apply for Energy Program Recovery Act Funding
Setting the stage for one of the most ambitious initiatives
to upgrade energy efficiency and create jobs, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
today announced that California is the first state in the nation to submit the
application for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) State
Energy Program (SEP) funding. The California Energy Commission, the agency
responsible for administering the $226 million in authorized Recovery Act
funding, successfully completed the state's paperwork for the SEP to ensure
that California can move forward in working with stakeholders to develop
program guidelines.
"We are meeting and exceeding federal deadlines every day -
and Californians can rest assured that the state is doing everything in its
power to put Recovery Act funding to work to create jobs," said Governor
Schwarzenegger.
California's SEP application focuses on creating and retaining
jobs, achieving lasting and measurable energy benefits that follow the state's
energy and environmental mandates and policy goals of increasing energy
efficiency, renewable energy and bioenergy as well as reducing greenhouse gas
emissions. The program itself is designed to leverage additional federal,
state, local and private financing and expend money efficiently, with
accountability and minimal administrative burden.
The bulk of the SEP funding ($195.8 million) will be aimed
at combining grants, contracts and loans to fund activities that concentrate on
clean energy systems and energy efficiency measures and upgrades for
residential and non-residential structures including improvements such as
insulation, duct sealing, heating and cooling and water heating systems. The
Energy Commission estimates that retrofitting California's aged and inefficient
residential and non-residential structures could save the state's consumers 2.7
billion Btu annually and create over 2,100 jobs. The proposal to the Department
of Energy (DOE) also included concepts that integrated efforts between
low-income home energy efficiency, weatherization, utility incentives,
government incentive and Recovery Act funds.
California is well positioned to develop a green workforce by
collaborating with public, private and nonprofit partners such as utilities,
the Employment Development Department, workforce investment boards and
educational institutions. The Energy Commission is investing $15 million to
build a green workforce to meet renewable and alternative fuels and advanced
vehicle technology needs. The Energy Commission will expand on this plan and
leverage $20 million in Recovery Act funds to create a more extensive green
workforce on energy efficiency and clean energy sources, including wind and
solar energy.
The federal DOE approval of California's SEP application is
expected sometime between July and August. During that time, the Energy
Commission will collaborate with stakeholders and the public to develop the
program design and guidelines to ensure that high priority and preferences are
given to projects that meet the intent and goals of the SEP. The Energy
Commission anticipates the first round of SEP funding could be awarded as early
as September.
To date California has been allocated over $1 billion from
the energy and climate change-related Recovery Act funding including the Block
Grant funding allocation, the State Energy Program and the Weatherization
Assistance Program (administered by California Department of Community Services
and Development).
Governor Schwarzenegger
created the California Recovery Task Force to track the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act funding coming into the state; work with President Barack
Obama's administration; help cities, counties, non-profits, and others access
the available funding; ensure that the funding funneled through the state is
spent efficiently and effectively; and maintain a Web site that is frequently
and thoroughly updated for Californians to be able to track the stimulus
dollars.
The Task Force can be
reached through its Web site, www.recovery.ca.gov, or by telephone at (916) 322-4688.
