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Tuesday, October 6, 2009
NELSON: $15 MILLION IN STIMULUS FUNDS FOR NEBRASKA STATE ENERGY PROGRAM

October 6, 2009 – Today, Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson welcomed an announcement by the U.S. Department of Energy that Nebraska will receive $15 million for the State Energy Program to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects and create jobs in the state. Nebraska has now received the full $30 million in funding for the program as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

“These stimulus funds will help create and sustain jobs in this difficult economic climate,” said Senator Nelson. “By working to make Nebraska more energy efficient, we move closer to the goal of energy independence. Today’s funding announcement is good news for our environment and for our state’s economy.”

According to the Department of Energy, Nebraska will implement several programs using Recovery Act SEP funding to improve energy efficiency and advance renewable energy within the state. The Nebraska State Energy Program will reduce energy consumption, increase energy security and create jobs through incentives for energy efficiency measures in residential, commercial, and industrial sectors, and by providing consumer information on energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Additionally, programs for the commercial and industrial sector will target large energy users and provide financial assistance through low-interest loans. The state will also increase energy efficiency in residential and commercial sectors by updating and enforcing building energy codes and expanding energy efficiency training.

Nebraska received the final $15 million in funding after demonstrating successful implementation of its SEP plan, for a total of $30 million for the entire SEP program. Nebraska had already received an initial 10% of funding, roughly $3 million, to support planning activities for the program, and in July had received another 40%, or $12 million, for the program.

Senator Nelson played a key role in the passage of the $787 billion stimulus bill. He worked with a bipartisan group of nearly 20 Senators to better focus The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on tax cuts for the middle class and job creation for millions of Americans. Senator Nelson led the group through the initial bill line by line, dollar by dollar, to reduce spending and cut out $108 billion of inefficient or less-stimulative spending. The bipartisan group helped the improved bill win congressional approval. President Obama signed it into law February 17, 2009.
 
Senator Nelson is posting information about the release of stimulus finds on his website as it becomes available. Visit http://bennelson.senate.gov/feature_4.cfm for more information.

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