$31.5 Million For Energy Projects in South Carolina
Another $31.5 million in federal stimulus money is on its way to South Carolina, this time in the form of grants for energy efficiency and conservation projects that will be selected by cities, towns and counties.
The money is part of a $3.2 billion national initiative, and local governments will have a wide range of options for using the money.
They could upgrade street lights, for example, which could be appealing in Mount Pleasant, where street lighting costs taxpayers about $1 million a year. Towns and cities could choose to offer incentives for private energy efficiency improvements, or install renewable energy systems, pay for residential and commercial energy audits, or take another route to saving energy.
“I do think a lot of governments could realize significant savings,” said Summerville Town Administrator Dennis Pieper. “Some of our facilities are pretty old, so I’m sure we could use it.”
Summerville could receive $185,600, and has not decided how to spend the money, he said. Local governments must apply for the funds they have been allocated by June 25.
Charleston is slated to receive $1.1 million, and plans to use some of the money to build the new Arthur W. Christopher Community Center to meet high standards for energy efficiency and “green” standards.
“We are pleasantly surprised by the amount of funding,” said Harry Lesesne, executive assistant to Mayor Joe Riley. “It couldn’t have come at a better time for the city.”
The Arthur W. Christopher Community Center will be located on Fishburne Street between Hagood Avenue and President Street, across from Burke High School.
In Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties, the towns and cities due to receive direct funding are: Charleston, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Summerville and Goose Creek. Other than Charleston, none of the governments had specific plans for spending the money.
Local governments in South Carolina that don’t receive money directly from the federal government can compete for roughly $5.7 million that will be distributed through the State Energy Office. All local governments can compete for an additional $400 million that will be awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy.
In Mount Pleasant, Town Administrator Mac Burdette said the Town Council would have to consider the program requirements and decide whether to accept the money.
“The one thing we won’t do is, we won’t take the money if it doesn’t have a practical applications to our operations,” he said. “I don’t see us doing experimental windmills.”
Burdette said he’ll ask Town Council to hire a consulting firm run by former Gov. Jim Hodges, which has been offering to help local governments apply for the federal money for a flat fee of $15,000.
“It isn’t just because Gov. Hodge’s name is on it,” Burdette said. “They are very well qualified.”
Former Municipal Association of South Carolina Executive Director Howard Duvall is heading the efficiency grant work for Hodges Consulting. Duvall said the firm offers local governments a relatively low-cost way of learning about the program and complying with the requirements.
Duvall said local governments that successfully create plans now could be in line for future efficiency grants.
The grant program was created in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 but was not funded until this year.
“Our expectation is that this will be ongoing funding, through the regular annual federal appropriations bill,” Lesesne said.
The money is in addition to $50.5 million in stimulus funds the State Energy Office will receive to improve the efficiency of public buildings, and $59 million for the Weatherization Assistance Program, which makes energy improvements to the homes of residents with low to moderate incomes.
The different programs are aimed at saving money by reducing energy bills, while creating jobs and reducing some of the energy consumption blamed for global warming.
GRANT MONEY
Federal stimulus grants for local government energy efficiency initiatives:
• Charleston – $1.1 million
• North Charleston – $978,500
• Mount Pleasant – $593,700
• Goose Creek – $153,600
• Summerville – $185,600
• South Carolina – $31.5 million
• Nationwide – $3.2 billion
Reach David Slade at 937-5552 or dslade@postandcourier.com.
Via Post and Courier
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