GRANT MONEY TOTALING $250,000 AVAILABLE TO MANUFACTURERS/LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IMPLEMENTING ENERGY-EFFICIENT PROJECTS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2005

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Bruce Johnson announced today the availability of $250,000 in grant money through the Energy Loan Fund (ELF) to manufacturers and local governments located in Ohio wanting to implement energy-efficient projects. The grant program is administered through the Ohio Department of Development’s (ODOD) Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE).

“This money will assist manufacturers and local governments in implementing a variety of energy technologies that reduce energy consumption and help them effectively manage their energy use,” said Johnson, who also serves as Director of the ODOD. “This grant program is a major benefit to Ohio businesses and communities wanting to proceed with energy-efficient and renewable-energy projects.”

This latest round of funding is available to manufacturers and local governments that have participated in the EnVinta Program. Applicants will be required to have completed an EnVinta diagnostic assessment and contracted for follow-up activities promoting energy plan development and technical assessment.

EnVinta One-2-Fiveâ is a software-based program that takes a business approach to energy management and examines how energy is integrated with business management systems. One-2-Five® Energy focuses on management systems, is designed for use by managers and is geared toward those companies that spend $350,000 a year or more on energy. For more information on the Envinta program, visit www.odod.state.oh.us/cdd/oee/EnVinta.htm.

Qualifying projects will be eligible to apply for grants to cover a portion of the costs of the projects. Participation in the ELF for the remaining costs is also required. All projects must be located in the service territories of the five investor-owned electric distribution companies in Ohio.

The ELF was originally established in 1999 to provide an incentive for Ohioans to pursue energy- efficiency and renewable-energy projects through low-interest loans from participating banks. In 2003, legislation was amended to authorize up to 10 percent of ELF receipts to be awarded as grants. In 2004, OEE awarded $ 1.4 million to projects through ELF grant programs. The ELF program is funded through electric utility riders paid by customers of Ohio’s five investor-owned utilities (AEP, CINergy, Dayton Power & Light, First Energy, and Monongahela Power). Details of the NOFA are available online at www.odod.state.oh.us/cdd/oee/ELFGrant.htm.