Washington State to Recieve $10.6 million from ARRA

The U.S. Department of Energy just recently announced more than $354 million for energy efficiency and conservation projects funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. As part of the Department of Energy's Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, the funding aims to implement programs that conserve energy use, reduce carbon emissions, and create green jobs. Energy Secretary Steven Chu outlined the funding's intention:

"This funding will allow states across the country to make major investments in energy solutions that will strengthen America's economy and create jobs at the local level. It will also promote some of the cheapest, cleanest and most reliable energy technologies we have - energy efficiency and conservation - which can be deployed immediately. Local communities can now make strategic investments to help meet the nation's long term clean energy and climate goals."

The funding is to be spread among 22 states – including Washington State. Washington will use its $10,645,900 to aid local communities in meeting some of the country's most stringent energy codes. In addition the state will create an Energy Planning Program to enable cities and counties to perform energy efficiency and conservation measures. Washington State's program aims to successfully reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, while creating hundreds of green jobs statewide.

The full announcement can be found here