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News Releases
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Recovery Act Funding Announced for Eastern Oregon Energy Projects
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10/2/2009
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Article Content
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | For More Information: |
| Oct. 2, 2009 | Diana Enright
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| | (503) 378-8278 |
| | Jillian Schoene (Governor Kulongoski) |
| | (503) 378-5040 |
| | Courtney Warner Crowell
(Governor’s Economic Recovery) |
| 09-31 | (503) 378-3554 |
Over $1.3 million in State Energy Program dollars will be spent across eastern Oregon
The Oregon Department of Energy today announced more than $1.3 million in federal funds for 21 energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in eastern Oregon. These projects are funded by American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act).
Funding will be used to insulate buildings, install new energy-efficient windows and upgrade aging heating/cooling systems in schools, county courthouses, fire stations and other public buildings.
“These dollars will not only save energy and create jobs but also will help preserve our local communities,” said Governor Kulongoski “High schools, county courthouses, and libraries act as community centers in cities across Oregon. An investment in these buildings is an investment in the people and the communities that rely upon them.”
The Recovery Act funds being awarded through the State Energy Program (SEP) can be used for public buildings, including K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and government buildings. The U.S. Department of Energy administers the funds, approves the projects and reviews the state’s progress.
“This funding will be used for essential energy efficiency measures like providing new heating systems and energy efficient windows in schools to keep students warm during the eastern Oregon winters,” said Mark Long, Director of the Oregon Department of Energy. “These projects save energy, save money and provide jobs and economic benefits to Oregon’s rural communities.”
The state’s overall strategy is to use Recovery Act SEP funding for an estimated 200 energy projects in public buildings, and to look for opportunities to leverage these funds for innovative projects, programs and initiatives that address state energy priorities and have a high potential for achieving Recovery Act SEP goals.
The Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) received over 1,100 letters of interest representing a request of over $2 billion in ARRA funding. The state will focus awards on projects that increase energy efficiency, use renewable energy, incorporate promising technologies, save energy, reduce energy costs and invest in local communities.
The first round of funds announced Sept. 22 went to lighting retrofits, windows, and heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system upgrades in K-12 schools. Many public buildings are old and have inefficient equipment, and maintenance is often deferred for many years due to lack of funds. This second round of funds is focused on eastern Oregon projects, with some of the work being started before winter. A third round of projects, concentrated on the western side of the state, will be announced in the next two weeks.
The 21 projects receiving funding are:
Facility
| County
| Project
| Funds
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Baker County Courthouse
| Baker
| HVAC
| $65,000
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Crook County High School
| Crook
| HVAC
| $7,123
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Powell Butte Elementary School
| Crook
| HVAC
| $5,600
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Harney County Library
| Harney
| Windows
| $70,000
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Burns High School
| Harney
| Windows
| $190,457
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Lincoln Building
| Harney
| Windows
| $76,601
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Hines Office—ODFW
| Harney
| HVAC, windows
| $20,000
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Grant County Historical Museum
| Grant
| Weatherization
| $97,790
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Canyon City Community Hall
| Grant
| Insulation, windows
| $68,583
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Jefferson County Courthouse
| Jefferson
| Lighting
| $25,600
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Oregon Institute of Technology
| Klamath
| Lighting
| $82,625
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Adrian High School
| Malheur
| Lighting
| $11,885
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Jordan Valley Schools
| Malheur
| Lighting, windows
| $13,950
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Ontario Water Treatment Plant
| Malheur
| Lighting
| $17,500
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Ione High School
| Morrow
| Weatherization, HVAC
| $38,153
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Umatilla County Juvenile Center
| Umatilla
| Lighting, insulation, HVAC
| $185,000
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Milton-Freewater City Hall
| Umatilla
| Lighting, HVAC
| $134,000
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Milton-Freewater City Shop
| Umatilla
| Lighting
| $16,000
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Saager Fire Station
| Umatilla
| Lighting, windows
| $7,200
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South Fire Station
| Umatilla
| Lighting
| $1,700
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Oak Springs Hatchery
| Wasco
| Small hydro
| $200,000
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Total
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| $1,334,767
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