Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

Government buildings across Rhode Island should become more energy efficient and cost less to operate, if $14.5 million in federal stimulus money earmarked for such efforts does its job

The Governor's Office of Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Energy Review Team invited municipal leaders to a meeting Thursday night at Rhode Island College to discuss plans to distribute the federal money.

The money is part of $58 million for energy initiatives the federal government has pledged to Rhode Island. Some $20 million is going to weatherization programs and $24 million is going to new programs still being considered by state officials.

The so-called Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program, according to a Department of Energy Web site, "represents a Presidential priority to invest in the cheapest, cleanest and most reliable energy technologies we have -- energy efficiency and conservation -- which can be deployed immediately."

The money will be distributed through spending formulas and competitive grants.

Andrew Dzykewicz, vice-chair of the energy review team and Commissioner for the Governor's Office on Energy Resources, was also expected to give a presentation on performance contracting -- a system in which building owners can install energy efficient systems in their buildings with no upfront costs. They do so by contracting with an energy service company, which is paid from the proceeds of future energy savings during the following 7 to 20 years.

 Tags  economy environment

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