New Energy Efficiency Grant Program To Launch March 15
Program Makes $4.5 Million in Grants Available to Indiana Health Care, Higher Education, Small Business and Non Profits

Lt. Governor Becky Skillman announced the availability of $4.5 million in competitive grants for energy efficiency upgrades. Indiana Small businesses, health care facilities, institutions of higher education and non profit agencies are all eligible to apply for the grants. The program will make grants up to $100,000 for any energy efficiency retrofit project available with a 50% local match.

The grants are part of the Indiana Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program, which is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stimulus package that came to Indiana from the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE). It is administered by the Indiana Office of Energy Development (OED).

"Smaller businesses, with 150 employees or less have energy efficiency needs just like larger companies", said Lt. Governor Skillman. "Helping these Hoosier businesses, as well as non profits, health care facilities and schools be more proactive about energy efficiency makes sense for our state's economy as well as our energy future".

The application period opens on March 1, 2010. Grant Guidelines and application forms will be available starting on that day on line at www.Energy.IN.gov. Applications must be received by OED by April 30, 2010. Grant awards will be announced the week of May 24th, 2010 pending review and approval of USDOE.

The purpose of the Indiana EECBG Program is to assist eligible entities in creating and implementing strategies to reduce fossil fuel emissions in a manner that is environmentally sustainable, reduce the total energy use of the eligible entities, increase energy efficiency, reduce energy consumption and reduce energy costs through efficiency improvements and create new jobs and increased productivity to spur economic growth and community development.