$4.3 million for L.B.'s energy efficiency programs

The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded $4.3 million to help Long Beach implement energy efficiency projects, city officials announced on Monday.

The new funding is part of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG).

The city plans to use the new revenues to complete municipal building energy efficiency retrofits, as well as provide residential rebates for energy efficient devices/systems.

 These municipal retrofits and residential rebates are designed to save money, reduce the city's electricity use, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while also  supporting green jobs and a market for energy efficient products and supplies.

The $4.3 million is provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

"The largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions are buildings," said Mayor Bob Foster. "Leveraging stimulus dollars to accomplish municipal energy efficiency retrofits and rebates is an important step toward reducing the city's carbon footprint, benefiting the whole community."

Municipal energy efficiency retrofits will include items such as lighting and HVAC (Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning) equipment, glazing, insulation and weather stripping at a variety of city facilities, according to city spokesman Ed Kamlan.

 Residential rebates for energy efficient devices/systems will include rebates for solar hot water heaters, tank-less water heaters and photovoltaic panels, Kamlan added.

"The City has had a long history of successful municipal energy efficiency projects and initiatives that have saved the city a significant amount of money," said City Manager Pat West. "These federal stimulus dollars will help us to continue this great work and encourage the community to do the same."

The EECBG funding will be managed by the City's Office of Sustainability in partnership with the Department of Public Works and the Department of Development Services.