Press Room >> 2009 Press Releases For Immediate Release PATT- MCDANIEL, SHANAHAN ANNOUNCE OHIO ENERGY PROGRAM DETAILS Columbus – Lisa Patt-McDaniel, Interim Director of the Ohio Department of Development, and Mark Shanahan, energy adviser to Governor Ted Strickland, today announced that the State of Ohio filed its proposal for use of $96 million in State Energy Program funds, which have been allocated to Ohio by the U.S. Department of Energy through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The proposal outlines objectives and goals for how the ARRA funds will be utilized to create jobs in Ohio and reduce consumption and reliance on imported energy. The proposal is subject to review and approval by the Department of Energy. “The development of renewable energy and alternative fuel strategies in Ohio is critical to positioning our state for sustainable, long-term, and efficient growth,” Patt-McDaniel said. “Through Governor Strickland’s leadership, Ohio’s Advanced Energy Standard is one of the most aggressive in the country, positioning Ohio to utilize American Recovery and Reinvestment Act resources to deploy the technologies that will help Ohio families save on energy while accelerating market-driven job creation in our state.” Ohio’s proposal for the State Energy Program funding was submitted to secure American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding and support investments in energy programs which will retain and create jobs. The program is a collaboration between the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority and the Ohio Department of Development to develop renewable energy and alternative fuel projects, upgrade the energy efficiency of public and private facilities and promote innovative state efforts to help families save money on energy. “Ohio will be able to reach our energy efficiency goals because of President Obama and Ohio’s Congressional members who worked to pass the important federal stimulus bill. They recognized the critical importance of investing in renewable and advanced energy projects for the future success of our state and national economies,” said Shanahan. The Ohio Department of Development will provide information on each of the program initiatives to companies, non-profits, communities and other entities which submitted proposals through Recovery.Ohio.gov. This process will include applications for each of the specific initiatives in order to determine eligibility and viability of the proposal to be supported with this critical funding. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds appropriated to the State Energy Program will enable Ohio to accelerate the goals of the act that concern renewable energy development, preserve or create jobs, increase energy efficiency and assist Ohioans impacted by current economic conditions. A summary of the initiatives in Ohio’s State Energy Program proposal is as follows: Developing Renewable Energy in Ohio – $35 million toward increasing renewable energy projects that will propel Ohio forward in the solar, wind and biomass waste industries, and deploying related technologies in combination with fuel cells and energy storage for electricity, heat, biofuel and bioproducts. Making Efficiency Work – $8 million will fund grants to conduct commercial and residential building retrofits in existing and new construction to attain greater energy efficiency. Targeting Industry Efficiency – $15 million will fund grants to the manufacturing companies seeking to improve the sustainability of Ohio industry and build expertise and awareness in industrial carbon management projects. Banking on New Energy Financing – $30 million will transform the energy finance landscape in Ohio by creating an Energy Alliance and bringing more significant funding to energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Setting the Stage for Ohio’s Carbon Management Strategy – $500,000 will be deployed to identify industries and businesses seeking to lessen their carbon footprint, assess the economic impacts, and develop scenarios to provide policy guidance for future energy efficient economic development. The remaining funds will be used to ensure appropriate oversight, reporting, administration and implementation over the three-year grant period. For additional information on the Ohio Energy Program and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, please visit: http://development.ohio.gov/recovery/StateEnergyProgram.htm Media contacts: Robert Grevey at (614) 466-6619 or
May 18, 2009
Program Utilizes $96 Million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Funds to Stimulate Advanced and Renewable Energy Applications in Ohio
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