Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources, which has received tens of millions of dollars in federal stimulus funds in recent months for energy projects, announced Wednesday that it is distributing about $15 million, largely to help weatherize homes for low-income people around the state.

The announcement comes as the U.S. Department of Energy announced that it cut another $11 million check for energy stimulus programs in Rhode Island, bringing the total distributed to the state to more than $33 million.

The Energy Office finally began awarding some of that money Wednesday. The awards include:

• $12.2 million to the state's seven community action agencies to weatherize nearly 1,700 homes for low- and moderate-income residents. The money can be spent on insulation, duct sealing and repairing heating systems. The money may also be spent to train people to do weatherization work. People whose family incomes are less than 60 percent of the state's median income may apply.
• $2.3 million is being made available to contractors doing weatherization work for families whose income places them above the low-income classifications. Rebates for work may be 25 percent of the total cost or $2,500, whichever is lesser.
• $250,000 to the state building commissioner to develop new building codes that will require more energy-efficient homes. The money may also be spent on training local building officials and contractors.

 Tags  energy Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources stimulus funds weatherization

Comments

Tech said:

Good to see they are investing in renewable energies.

Link | October 14, 2009 11:20 PM
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