State Awards $3.7M in Federal Stimulus Funds to Increase Energy Efficiency
This week, the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) in conjunction with the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), awarded over $3.7 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act-Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) to help make homes of low-income Hawai`i residents more energy efficient.
The total award consists of two separate grants, with Maui Economic Opportunity Inc. receiving $2.5 million to serve the Counties of Maui, Hawai`i, and Kaua`i, and the Honolulu Community Action Program, Inc. receiving $1,280,461 to serve the City and County of Honolulu.
"We are looking forward to helping Hawai`i's low-income residents make ends meet by reducing their monthly energy expenses," said DLIR Director Darwin L.D. Ching.
The program will reduce energy costs for individuals living within 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guideline, by making their homes energy efficient through the retrofitting of compact fluorescent light (CFL) fixtures and the installation of solar hot water systems in approximately 750 households.
"The benefits of making homes energy efficient include reducing our state's overall energy consumption, protecting the environment, and stimulating economic development in low-income communities through job creation," said DBEDT Director Ted Liu.
Last month, U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu sent a letter to Governor Linda Lingle confirming that Hawai`i will receive $45,039,661 in Recovery Act funds across the following areas: weatherization ($4,014,461), state energy program ($25,930,000), and energy efficiency community block grants ($15,068,200). In addition, private and nonprofit organizations and companies will be eligible for competitive portions of other energy-related Recovery Act grants.
