JOHNSON ANNOUNCES GRANTS FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 19, 2006

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Bruce Johnson today announced the Ohio Department of Development will award $450,000 in grants to help deploy residential, commercial and industrial projects that implement renewable energy technologies.

“These grants help highlight Ohio’s commitment to projects that are harnessing new technologies to improve environmental quality,” said Lt. Governor Bruce Johnson, who also serves as director of the Ohio Department of Development.

Renewable energy technologies use the power of energy resources that are naturally regenerated over a short time and are derived directly from the sun or through indirect processes such as wind systems. When used in place of fossil fuels for power generation, renewable energy technologies reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and pollutants.

All residential, commercial, industrial, or institutional customers are eligible for the grants, funded through the Energy Loan Fund (ELF). Only projects in the electric utility service areas of AEP, Cinergy, Dayton Power and Light and First Energy are eligible, since it is their ratepayers who contribute to the Energy Loan Fund through a small rider on their electric bills.

The grants will be awarded on a first-come-first served basis. Application forms, program guidelines and minimum requirements can be found online at: http://www.odod.state.oh.us/cdd/oee/elfgrant.htm.