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September 23, 2009 – Today, Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson welcomed an announcement by the U.S. Department of Energy that Nebraska will receive more than $250,000 to fund energy efficiency and conservation projects across the state. The funding is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
“These stimulus funds will save Nebraskans on energy costs and will keep our economy moving during this difficult economic climate,” said Senator Nelson. “Reducing the use of fossil fuels is an important step toward meeting the goal of energy independence.”
The award is part of the Department of Energy’s Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program, which supports state-level energy efficiency priorities, along with funding local conservation projects in smaller cities and counties. Possible projects could include help to communities to improve their energy efficiency, reduce their energy use and fossil fuel emissions, and create green jobs locally. The EECBG program was funded for the first time by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Dawson County will receive an award of $106,300 and Scotts Bluff County will receive an award of $155,600. These projects are in addition to an earlier round of EECBG grants announced last week including over $10,000,000 for various energy conservation projects across Nebraska.
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.
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