JOHNSON ANNOUNCES $1.4 MILLION AVAILABLE TO INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES FOR DISTRIBUTED GENERATION TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2004

Columbus, OH -- State Development Director Bruce Johnson today announced that $1.4 million is available to Ohioans planning to implement distributed generation technology in their homes or businesses to generate and deliver electricity.

Distributed generation technology, also known as distributed energy resource (DER), refers to a variety of small, modular power-generating technologies that can be combined with energy management and storage systems and used to improve the operation of the electricity delivery system, whether or not those technologies are connected to an electricity grid.

DER offers a solution to many of the nation’s most pressing energy issues, including blackouts, brownouts, price spikes, energy security, power quality, affordable generation, tighter emission standards, transmission siting and permitting bottlenecks, and the desire for less stress on the environment.

“By implementing these exciting technologies, individuals and businesses will realize the power-reliability, cost-saving and environmental benefits,” said Johnson. “I encourage individuals and businesses interested in implementing distributed generation technology in their home or business to apply for funding.”

Clean burning and renewable energy projects are eligible for funding consideration if installed in the Ohio service area of the five investor-owned utilities that collect systems benefits charges from its customers. Those utilities are American Electric Power (AEP), CINergy, Dayton Power & Light, First Energy, and Monongahela Power. Projects eligible for consideration include technologies that use natural gas and propane, landfill or biomass methane, and renewable energy, including solar and wind electric generation. Proposals are being accepted for residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial market segments.
.
The Distributed Generation Technology grant program is funded by the Energy Loan Fund (ELF) and administered by the Ohio Department of Development’s Office of Energy Efficiency. The ELF was created by the Ohio Legislature in 1999, and was implemented in 2001 to provide low-interest loans to consumers, businesses, industries, and non-profits to implement energy efficiency and renewable energy measures. In late 2003, the Legislature authorized a portion of the Fund for grants, as incentives to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy.

The ELF works with participating banks, and continues to seek additional lending institutions to participate in the program. The program offers low-interest loans to encourage homeowners, businesses, and non-profits to finance efficiency audits, equipment, and technical services that are readily available in the marketplace. Proposals submitted for the DER grant earn additional points for energy efficiency measures, and for measures financed through the Energy Loan Fund.

Proposals are due May 28, 2004. Details on the grant program are available can be found at www.odod.state.oh.us/cdd/oee/ELFGrant.htm.