Monday, June 8, 2009

County Announces Planned Uses Of $8.1 Million In Stimulus Funds

Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato announced today a countywide energy efficiency program. The conservation program is using part of the $8.1 million in stimulus funds from the federal government. The county will provide $300,000 to perform energy efficiency audits on the county's buildings. The audits will then be analyzed by Duquesne Light which will then provide the county with recommendations as to how to increase energy efficiency and conservation. The county will then provide $2 million in grants to fund the projects. 37 boroughs and townships in the county will be eligible for grants covering 100 percent of the upgrade costs, 62 will be eligible for grants covering 75 percent of the costs and 27 will be eligible for grants covering 50 percent of the cost. The municipalities grant eligibility was determined by the percentage of its residents who are low or moderate income. 2 municipalities, Pittsburgh and Penn Hills, are not eligible because they received stimulus funding directly from the federal government. The audits are expected to be completed by August with recommendations provided by October. The county expects to start working on the recommendations by late 2009 early 2010.

The remaining $5.8 million will be used for conservation projects at the courthouse, county office building, jail, shuman center and kane regional centers.

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