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State competes for federal retrofit dollars
By Brad Cain, Associated Press Writer
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 | No comments posted.
SALEM — Gov. Ted Kulongoski is optimistic about Oregon’s chances of being chosen to receive up to $100 million in federal dollars to do energy retrofits of homes, businesses and public buildings around the state.
As part of the federal stimulus program, the Obama administration plans to award competitive energy retrofitting grants to at least four states by the end of the year.
Kulongoski believes Oregon is a leading contender, because the state has shown its commitment to green buildings with various state and local incentive programs aimed at helping homeowners and businesses become more energy efficient.
“This is Oregon’s opportunity to showcase nationally our leadership in energy efficiency and livable communities,” the Democratic governor said Tuesday.
If Oregon is chosen, the money could help pay for weatherizing thousands of structures and create numerous jobs in the process, said Brian Shipley, who is the state official in charge of overseeing federal stimulus dollars coming into Oregon.
Details of the state’s formal application for the money are still being worked out, Shipley said, but the idea is to offer incentives for weatherizing homes and buildings in large areas — in entire neighborhoods or even cities.
By focusing on larger areas, rather than a piecemeal approach, the state can make sure that there is an adequate, trained workforce in designated areas to go door-to-door offering energy audits and to do door and window replacements and insulation jobs, he said.
“To have the biggest impact, to save on energy costs, we’re going to have to retrofit a lot of homes,” Shipley said.
The federal grant money would be used as an add-on to existing state and local programs that promote weatherizing of buildings, he said.
He noted that the Oregon Legislature this year expanded a state loan program to encourage property owners to invest in energy efficiency upgrades — both as a way to create jobs and to combat climate change.
“We’ve already got more tools in place than anybody to finance this kind of work,” Shipley said.
As part of the federal stimulus program, the Obama administration plans to award competitive energy retrofitting grants to at least four states by the end of the year.
Kulongoski believes Oregon is a leading contender, because the state has shown its commitment to green buildings with various state and local incentive programs aimed at helping homeowners and businesses become more energy efficient.
“This is Oregon’s opportunity to showcase nationally our leadership in energy efficiency and livable communities,” the Democratic governor said Tuesday.
If Oregon is chosen, the money could help pay for weatherizing thousands of structures and create numerous jobs in the process, said Brian Shipley, who is the state official in charge of overseeing federal stimulus dollars coming into Oregon.
Details of the state’s formal application for the money are still being worked out, Shipley said, but the idea is to offer incentives for weatherizing homes and buildings in large areas — in entire neighborhoods or even cities.
By focusing on larger areas, rather than a piecemeal approach, the state can make sure that there is an adequate, trained workforce in designated areas to go door-to-door offering energy audits and to do door and window replacements and insulation jobs, he said.
“To have the biggest impact, to save on energy costs, we’re going to have to retrofit a lot of homes,” Shipley said.
The federal grant money would be used as an add-on to existing state and local programs that promote weatherizing of buildings, he said.
He noted that the Oregon Legislature this year expanded a state loan program to encourage property owners to invest in energy efficiency upgrades — both as a way to create jobs and to combat climate change.
“We’ve already got more tools in place than anybody to finance this kind of work,” Shipley said.
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