Over $855k granted to Austin Energy for energy efficiency projects

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Energy recently received a grant that it will use to accelerate energy efficiency projects at community-facing facilities, the utility said in a release Tuesday.

Over the next two years, Austin Energy will identify and implement energy efficiency programs at the Austin Public Library, Austin Public Health and the Park and Recreation Department facilities. According to Austin Energy, the improvements will reduce energy use, produce fewer greenhouse gases, enhance facility comfort and directly benefit vulnerable members of the Austin community.

Last week, Austin City Council approved an ordinance amending the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Austin Energy Operating Budget Special Revenue Fund to accept and appropriate $855,340 in grant funds from the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of State and Community Energy Programs.

The grant was awarded as part of the Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant (EECGB) program for commercial energy efficiency services programs.

Austin Energy said it was one of 19 state and local governments to receive a portion of the more than $31 million in formula grants through the EECBG, and it plans to use the funding to help lower energy use, reduce emissions, and promote energy efficiency in the community.

“These funds are being used to make our municipal buildings more energy efficient, which benefits all of our customers and the community,” said Richard Génecé, Vice President, Austin Energy Customer Energy Solutions. “As we lead the way on transitioning to our clean energy future and engage customers, we thought it was important to ‘walk the walk’ and ‘talk the talk.’”

Austin Energy is part of the second cohort of recipients from more than 2,700 eligible states, territories, local governments and Tribes to receive a portion of the more than $430 million in formula funding.

“These funds result directly from our overcoming obstruction and climate deniers two years ago to approve major legislation,” said United States Congressman Lloyd Doggett (TX-37). “With this investment, we can help further transition our community from fossil fuels and fossilized thinking to cleaner, greener energy—a win-win for our environment and health.”

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