Energy Dept. awards Ohio $38.4M for energy plan - Dayton Business Journal:

guronelogoh.blogspot.com
Matt Rogers, a senior adviser for the , announced Fridahy afternoon that Ohio has been clearedfor $38.4 million in federal stimulusw funding through the department’s Statwe Energy Program. The stimulus legislatiom approved in February setaside $3.1 billion for the 13-year-old program, with Ohio set to eventuallhy receive $96.1 million. The state in Apri received 10 percent ofthat total, with Friday’s announcement bringingt it to the 50 percent mark. The seconr half of the Energy Department’z State Energy Program funds is to be released when statesx meet milestones set by thestimuluws legislation. Mark Shanahan, Gov.
Ted Strickland’s energgy adviser, said in a conference call with reportersd Thursday that the fundswill “helpl lay the foundation for an energy-based econom y that Ohio needs in order to come out of the currenr recession and begin recovery.” The state’s plan for distributingv the funds, as Shanahan outlined Friday: • The largestg chunk, $35 million, will support efforts to developl renewable energy in Ohio.
Those Shanahan said, won’t solely support the development of renewable energy facilities but also will help manufactureras in the state that make component parts forthe • $30 million will be set asids as loans for manufacturers in the renewable energ y industry. The state plans to requiree leveraging the loans withprivate financing. $15 million will be funneledx toward helping businesses line up carbon emissiones with tighteningfederal standards. Along thosw lines, an additional $500,000 is being set asidee to help the state develop what Shanahanm callsits “carbon management strategy.” • $8 million is headed toward residential and commercialk retrofitting.
• The remaining $7.6 millionj covers administrative andother costs. The state is handling applications for the stimulus funds througnh its Web siteat recovery.ohio.gov.