Mayor John Hickenlooper has announced that the City of Denver will receive $6,079,500 from the U.S. Department of Energy to improve community energy efficiency through its Greenprint Denver programs. The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) will provide dedicated funding for the City to embark on a community-wide energy savings plan.
"This grant provides an unprecedented opportunity for the City to directly help residents and make Denver an even better place to live, work and play," Hickenlooper said. "We are doing all we can to maximize federal dollars and expand programs that reduce energy use throughout our community, help people save money and protect our environment."
The City applied for the federal grant on June 24. The U.S. Department of Energy later distributed $1.9 billion to approximately 1,800 "entitled" communities nationwide. An additional $900 million was given to state energy offices for distribution to smaller communities.
"This funding will preserve and create jobs in our New Energy Economy while extending the already impressive reach of Denver’s efforts to save energy and bring cleaner sources of power on-line," said Gov. Bill Ritter. "Denver, under the leadership of Mayor Hickenlooper, will direct these critical Recovery Act dollars in a way that further cements Colorado’s role as a national leader in building a secure energy future."
The community-wide energy savings plan will reach Denver’s neighborhoods in the coming weeks and months through a variety of projects, including:
- Expanding home weatherization assistance, helping Denver residents stay warm this winter;
- Installing seven bicycle checkout kiosks near light rail stations as part of the upcoming citywide bike-sharing program; and
- Providing job training to homeless veterans to plant 4,000 trees in Denver neighborhoods.
Funds have also been allocated to make improvements to City facilities and infrastructure, including to:
- Conduct energy audits in recreation centers and libraries;
- Make energy efficiency improvements in City facilities, expected to save $400,000 annually;
- Accelerate the adoption of building and energy codes to better reflect energy efficiency in building projects; and
- Replace incandescent traffic signals with LEDs at 200 intersections. The new lights use 88 percent less energy.
Projects are expected to begin later this fall. For more information, visit www.greenprintdenver.org