Taney County gets $175K state energy efficiency grant

Taney County will receive $175,000 to purchase greener equipment, Gov. Jay Nixon announced during a Monday visit.

The money, which is coming from the stimulus package's Energy Efficiency Community Block Grant program, will pay to retrofit public buildings with energy-saving lighting systems, according to a state news release.

Among the buildings on the list are Hollister, Mark Twain and Kirbyville schools; the Taney County Health Department; the city of Branson RecPlex parking lot; and a hangar at the Taney County Airport. The retrofit projects will save an estimated $203,000 a year in energy costs, according to the release.

“Through grants like this one, Missouri communities are able to address infrastructure needs and help their local economies, all at the same time," Nixon said in the release. "By undertaking projects that reduce costs and waste, these cities and counties are leading the way to a more sustainable future.”

The 58 Missouri communities receiving funding through the program are expected to save 47.7 million kilowatt-hours of energy per year and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 11,657 tons.

Nixon also made stops Monday in Fulton and Independence to announce similar grants.