On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) into law. With this action $32.7 billion was given to the Department of Energy to modernize our nation’s infrastructure, enhance energy independence and expand educational opportunities. An additional $3.4 billion was granted to 100 private companies, utilities, manufacturers and municipalities on October 27, 2009. The $32.7 billion the DOE received can be broken down as follows:
- $16.7 billion for Energy Efficiency, renewable energy and transportation
- $6 billion for nuclear waste cleanup
- $4.5 billion to lower electricity costs and increase customer choice through electric grid modernization
- $3.4 for demonstration that Carbon Capture and Sequestration can compete economically. Carbon Capture and Sequestration is essentially the lowering of the impact of fossil fuels on global warming on an economically feasible basis.
- $2 for scientific innovation in advanced energy technology research
The monies have provided an exceptional opportunity for innovators, entrepreneur’s and established businesses to develop new products, strategies and markets in order achieve the stimulus package goals.
One of those studies by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), reported that buildings in the United States are responsible for nearly 40 percent of CO2 emissions, 40 percent of energy consumption and 13 percent of the nation’s water consumption. From a green perspective, buildings have a huge potential for CO2 reduction.
Steven Hanks Guest Blog for Mintek How To Integrate Green Strategies With Your IWMS
To help facilitate the development of renewable energy resources and programs the a number of websites have now provide links to valuable information and resources. Two exceptional sources are:
- Department of Energy The Department of Energy gives you the latest in energy stimulus packages and development direction.
- Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. The links section provides links to all federal, state incentive programs. DSIRE also organizes incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency into two general categories — (1) Financial Incentives and (2) Rules, Regulations & Policies — and roughly 30 specific types of incentives and policies. This glossary provides a description of each specific incentive and policy type.
This is information is being provided as a public service to help our nation and our clients meet the challenges of a changing energy world. Tell us what you are doing to lower your energy costs and we will plant a tree for you.
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