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Governor Steve Beshear's Communications Office
Governor Beshear Announces Energy Efficiency Grant for Knott County recipients
 HINDMAN, Ky.– Governor Steve Beshear today announced an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) to three municipal joint recipients in Knott County. The city of Hindman, the city of Pippa Passes and the city of Vest will use the funding to support local energy efficiency improvements.
Through the EECBG program administered by the Kentucky Department for Local Government (DLG), a $375,000 grant will be used to conduct energy audits at public facilities and finance the energy efficiency retrofits recommended by these audits. The buildings include the Caney Community Center in Pippa Passes, the Human Services Center in Hindman and the Beckham Combs Community Center in Vest.
“Energy audits routinely identify major inefficiencies in buildings that cause higher utility bills,” said Gov. Beshear. “Implementing retrofits to these public facilities will save taxpayer dollars and reduce energy dependence, which is an emphasis of my seven-point energy strategy.”
First passed by Congress in 2007, the EECBG program was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy through the Kentucky Department for Energy Development and Independence and administered by DLG.
“As local governments in Knott County undergo energy audits and apply improvements, they are not only lessening power usage — they are setting an example for the community,” said DLG Commissioner Tony Wilder. “Utilizing this grant demonstrates local officials’ dedication to financial accountability and reducing energy consumption.”
The Kentucky EECBG program provides $6.25 million to assist local governments in implementing strategies to reduce fossil fuel emissions; reduce total energy use; and improve energy efficiency in the transportation, building and other appropriate sectors. Additional purposes of the EECBG program include spurring economic growth and the creation and/or retention of jobs under ARRA.
“Making our home, our business or any other facility more energy efficient is an investment – an investment that pays dividends,” said Sen. Johnny Ray Turner of Prestonsburg. “With utility costs already increasing, we can safeguard against these impacts by taking energy efficiency measures as well as reduce our impact on the environment and reduce greenhouse emissions. I am pleased efforts to be more energy efficient are being recognized in Knott County. This grant will go a long way in helping these agencies find areas where they can address energy efficiency and assist in making the necessary changes.”
“This grant is great news for our area and is certainly appreciated,” said Rep. John Short of Hindman. “It will help us in the short term by finding ways to increase energy efficiency in our community centers, which in turn will help them with their energy bills for years to come.”
To read Governor Beshear’s Intelligent Energy Choices for Kentucky’s Future: Kentucky’s 7-Point Energy Strategy, go to: http://www.governor.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/2880287D-511E-4421-ACC3-D4B9A7F97132/0/EnergyStrategy.pdf
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