Explanation
Background: The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) Program, funded for the first time by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, represents a Presidential priority to deploy the cheapest, cleanest, and most reliable energy technologies available - energy efficiency and conservation - across the country.
The Program, authorized in Title V, Subtitle E of the Energy Independence and Security Act modeled after the Community Development Block Grant program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It is intended to assist U.S. cities, counties, states, territories, and Indian tribes to develop, promote, implement, and manage energy efficiency and conservation projects and programs designed to:
· Reduce fossil fuel emissions;
· Reduce the total energy use of the eligible entities;
· Improve energy efficiency in the transportation, building, and other appropriate sectors; and
· Create and retain jobs.
Through formula and competitive grants, the Program empowers local communities to make strategic investments to meet the nation's long-term goals for energy independence and leadership on climate change. The City of Columbus has received $7,403,500 from this allocation, as described by ordinance 0868-2009, passed June 22, 2009, with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) identified as a Subgrantee of up to $50,000 of these monies. MORPC will work through the Department of Public Utilities and its electricity customers to implement the Low Income Electric Partnership Program.
MORPC will retrofit 60 homes served by the Columbus Electricity Division (Will target households at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. This will be accomplished by accessing the State of Ohio Energy Application Database. Also, will be targeting customers with the highest electric usage based upon the consumption information provided. ) Retrofit measures will include the installation ...
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