Projects abundant, federal funding plentiful for 'green projects' across Texas
by Mary Scott Nabers
CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
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Now that billions of dollars from stimulus funds are available for projects related to curbing energy usage, public entities are working hard to secure the funds. Businesses, too, should keep an eye on these funds - because once awarded, they will open up a myriad of contracting opportunities such as weatherization projects, building retrofits and major construction projects.
Texas A&M regents recently approved construction of a $70.25 million combined heat and power generation upgrade at the System's flagship university in College Station. The savings from energy efficiency are expected to offset debt service for the project.
Like many other government entities, the TAMU System plans to use stimulus funds for $10 million of the projected costs. The U.S. Department of Energy has $36.7 billion in Recovery Act funds, and those funds are available in various amounts for projects such as this. Among the available funds are $326.9 million for weatherization projects, $114 million for wind energy spending and $2.4 million for state and local projects.
Recently, the State Comptroller's Office announced it will receive applications for two grant programs funded by stimulus dollars. The Comptroller's State Energy Conservation Office will oversee distribution. Some $30 million in grants from the Distributed Renewable Energy Technology Program is available for local and state agencies - including cities, counties, school districts and other local and state government entities. Approximately $45 million in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) is available to more than 1,000 small cities and more than 200 Texas counties.
Another program - the Distributed Renewable Energy Technology Program - funds renewable energy technologies in public facilities and can be used to install solar panels, wind turbines and other types of renewable energy. These funds can be used in facilities such as public schools, courthouses, city complexes and libraries.
The EECBG grants - from $20,000 to $150,000 - are available for projects that include public building energy retrofits and energy-efficient street lighting. Small cities have already been allocated funding and don't have to apply. Grants also can be used to install equipment using solar, wind, water or geothermal energy to generate electricity at a government building.
Another program that will bring $38.1 million in Recovery Funds into Texas is the Clean Cities Program, aimed at putting more than 9,000 alternative fuel and energy efficient vehicles on the road and establishing 542 refueling stations. A project of the North Central Texas Council of Governments has been awarded $13.1 million to deploy refueling stations and alternative fuel vehicles in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The project calls for integrating alternative fuel vehicles into government fleets, in school districts, taxis and in some commercial vehicles owned by major food and soft drink distributors.
The Railroad Commission of Texas' Propane Fleet Pilot Program has been awarded $12.6 million to integrate more than 880 propane vehicles, 245 of them school buses, for school districts and public agencies. In addition to the buses, the program includes 24 medium-duty propane trucks and vans and 613 propane-fueled light-duty vehicles. Nearly three-dozen propane refueling stations will be constructed as well.
Another $12.2 million will be used by Texas State Technical College to develop a national liquid propane refueling network, clean school bus/vehicle incentive and green jobs outreach program. More than 180 liquid propane refueling stations will be constructed in major metropolitan areas of the nation, including Houston, Dallas and San Antonio/Austin in Texas.
Weatherization funding and energy efficiency grants totaling $545.7 million are available in Texas. The investment can be up to $6,500 per home for families that qualify.
"Green" projects are abundant and federal dollars are plentiful. Government entities and government contractors should watch this funding closely.
