FRANKFORT, Ky. – Gov. Steve Beshear today announced 19 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) awarded to communities across the Commonwealth in support of energy efficiency programs.

The grants, totaling $1,172,265, will go toward energy advancements in each community.  Improvements include retrofitting light fixtures to decrease energy costs, installing programmable thermostats to better regulate temperature and energy use, replacing doors and windows to enhance insulation and purchasing bins for recycled materials.

“Replacing light bulbs and windows or placing out accessible recycling bins are small steps we can take in our communities that will make a big difference in becoming more energy efficient in the long run,” said Gov. Beshear.  “By implementing energy efficiency practices now, we’re not only reducing future energy costs, we’re ensuring cleaner community environments for our children to grow up in.”

First passed by Congress in 2007, the EECBG program was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), with funds coming from the U.S. Department of Energy through the Kentucky Department for Energy Development and Independence and administered by DLG.

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.

The following applicants have been approved for EECB Grants:

• Paducah, McCracken County 
   Recycle Now Materials Conservation Program
   EECBG amount: $50,000
   
• Bardwell, Carlisle County 
   City Hall Energy Upgrades
   EECBG amount: $35,000
   
• Butler County 
   Courthouse Retrofit
   EECBG amount: $108,688
   
• Daviess Co. 
   Energy Efficiency Retrofits
   EECBG amount: $58,800
   
• Fulton 
   City Energy Efficiency and Conservation Retrofit
   EECBG amount: $99,044
   
• Fulton Co. 
   County Office Building Retrofit #1
   EECBG amount: $65,155
   
• LaRue Co. 
   Courthouse Retrofit
   EECBG amount: $68,000
   
• Winchester, Clark County 
   Senior Center Energy Retrofit
   EECBG amount: $56,802
   
• Whitesville, Daviess County 
   GRADD Building Retrofit 
   EECBG amount: $75,600
   
• Wayne Co. 
   Marina Recycling Program
   EECBG amount: $35,200
   
• McLean County 
   Senior Center Energy Retrofit
   EECBG amount:  $83,602
   
• Garrard Co. 
   Recycling Center and Animal Shelter Retrofit
   EECBG amount:  $11,769
   
• Guthrie, Todd County 
   Water Commission Energy Upgrades
   EECBG amount:  $65,650
   
• Central City, Muhlenberg County 
   Roof Replacement
   EECBG amount:  $72,126
   
• Warren Co. 
   L&N Depot
   EECBG amount:  $41,494
   
• Carlisle Co. 
   Milburn Comm. Center Upgrades
   EECBG amount:  $101,210
   
• Crofton, Christian County 
   Energy Efficiency Improvements
   EECBG amount:  $47,450
   
• Hickman City 
   Energy Improvement Project
   EECBG amount:  $50,000
   
• Calloway Co. 
   Road Dept. Energy Upgrades
   EECBG amount:  $46,675