Gov. Gregoire announces $14 million in energy efficiency upgrades

For Immediate Release: October 9, 2009

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced more than $14 million in grants from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for programs providing energy efficiency upgrades to middle income homes and small businesses in Washington.

Eight private and public projects across the state � including Pioneer Human Services, the Opportunity Council, the City of Ellensburg, Snohomish County PUD, Sustainable Living Center, Sustainable Works, the Thurston Economic Development Council, and Clark Public Utilities � were selected by an independent review committee based on their ability to:

� Increase energy efficiency in residential and small commercial buildings � reducing energy use and utility expenses for middle-income residents of our state.

� Create or retain jobs in Washington.

� Leverage other funds.

�Energy efficiency and weatherization work represent an immediate opportunity to create jobs while reducing the cost of energy in homes and commercial buildings,� said Gregoire. �This funding allows us to expand the work we�re already doing to increase energy efficiency for small businesses and middle income homes in communities throughout our state.�

Work will be spread throughout Eastern and Western Washington, specifically in the following counties: Clark, King, Kittitas, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Spokane, Thurston, Walla Walla, and Whatcom.

�These projects demonstrate bold steps our state is making to increase energy efficiency in our neighborhoods and help create jobs and economic growth throughout Washington,� said Jake Fey, director of the Washington State University Extension Energy Program.

The WSU Extension Energy Program was directed by the Washington State Legislature in Senate Bill 5649, sponsored by Sen. Phil Rockefeller, to identify, select and administer these community grants across the state.

The WSU Extension Energy Program is a national leader and resource for energy efficiency in buildings and industry, bioenergy and clean heat and power, solar energy technology, policies and programs. The WSU Extension Energy Program manages and operates the national Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Information Center and the national Recovery Act Clearinghouse on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy.

Through the U.S. Department of Energy, more than $180 million in Recovery Act funds have been allocated to Washington to help lower energy use and create energy efficiency jobs.