Missouri is receiving $22.9 million in the first round of funding for energy-efficiency and renewable energy projects from the federal stimulus act.
The funding is through the U.S. Department of Energy's State Energy Program. To receive the funds, Missouri proposed a statewide plan that prioritizes energy savings, creating and retaining jobs, increasing the use of renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, according to a news release.
Missouri is receiving 50 percent of its total State Energy Program funds from the stimulus. The remaining 50 percent - or $28.6 million - will be released when the state meets reporting, oversight and accountability benchmarks required by the stimulus act.
Missouri will use the money to expand its Energy Center program, which includes a variety of home efficiency programs, building energy codes, and education and training initiatives.
The state intends to focus on finding opportunities for energy efficiency in five industrial and manufacturing areas: aluminum, chemicals, food products, metal casting and forest products, including paper, the release said. A program planned for these industries includes energy audits, rebates and low-interest loans, workshops and a Web-based audit tool. The Energy Center also will work to train workers for deploying energy-efficiency techniques.
The federal stimulus act appropriated $3.1 billion to the State Energy Program to be distributed nationwide.
