City awaits details for federal block grant
March 26, 2009
Anchor Intro: The Department of Energy announced plans to invest 3.2 billion dollars in energy efficiency and conservation projects today. The money will be distributed to states, counties and cities through a grant program.
But as KBIA's Elle Moxley reports, Columbia is still waiting for federal guidelines outlining how they can spend their money.
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Under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, Columbia will receive just over a million dollars to reduce total energy use and cut fossil fuel emissions.
But Assistant City Manager Paula Hertwig Hopkins says Columbia is still waiting for guidelines on how it can spend the money.
“We’re happy and we’re very pleased that we’re getting the allocation, now we have to find out what’s on the dotted line.”
Hopkins says she doesn’t think the city will have to wait long to find out more about terms and conditions of the grant, since the Obama administration has been adamant about moving stimulus projects forward quickly. One possible project is retrofitting older city and public buildings to meet energy star standards, so long as it falls within grant guidelines.
An additional 200,000 dollars has been earmarked for energy conservation in Jefferson City.
Elle Moxley, KBIA News.