RMH among recipients of waste-to-energy grants
Staff Report
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Gov. Tim Kaine today announced that $10 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act State Energy Program is being awarded for 15 biomass and waste-to-energy projects. These grants will support $110 million in private investments statewide. The Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy administers the ARRA funds for energy-related projects.
One of the grants will go to Rockingham Regional Hospital in Harrisonburg, which will receive $583,848 (of a $876,168 project) to install or retrofit three boilers to heat and provide hot water at the main hospital and Women’s Health Center, all to be fueled by methane gas generated by the nearby landfill.
The project should result in $250,000 per year in energy savings. Continue reading “RMH among recipients of waste-to-energy grants” »
Stimulus dollars to go to conservation efforts
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine today announced the allocation of $40 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to implement the Virginia State Energy Plan (SEP), a blueprint for funding energy-related initiatives throughout Virginia. The funding will help create jobs, encourage energy conservation, and promote alternative energy generation through rebates to residential and commercial consumers, as well as grants to localities and individual projects. Continue reading “Stimulus dollars to go to conservation efforts” »
Virginia air is cleaner
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine today announced significant improvements in Virginia’s air quality during the past decade. Between 1999 and 2009, the Commonwealth saw a 96 percent decrease in the number of days that exceeded the national air quality standard for ground-level ozone at monitoring stations statewide, with summer 2009 standing out as the best year on record. Continue reading “Virginia air is cleaner” »
Loan program to promote energy efficiency
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine today announced the recapitalization of the Commonwealth’s Energy Leasing Program, a loan program to finance energy efficiency projects in state agencies. The Commonwealth has secured $40 million in financing for the projects, including $10 million in capital from Grant Capital Management, a state-certified SWAM vendor. The loans are expected to be repaid by agencies from energy savings generated by the projects. The first loan from the program will be $6.6 million to George Mason University for a series of upgrades at their Fairfax and Prince William campuses, including improvements to lighting, irrigation, metering, and heating and cooling of facilities. Continue reading “Loan program to promote energy efficiency” »
State, Dominion partnering on electric-vehicle charging stations
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine today announced as part of his Renew Virginia initiative a partnership with Dominion Virginia Power to install electric vehicle charging stations at certain state rest areas. These charging stations, installed at no cost to the state, are designed to accommodate most of today’s hybrid electric vehicles and use of the stations will be complimentary. Earlier this month the first electric vehicle charging stations were installed at the westbound New Kent Safety Rest Area on Interstate 64 and can charge up to four vehicles at a time. Continue reading “State, Dominion partnering on electric-vehicle charging stations” »
Public-private partnerships to fund green-energy projects at state agencies, universities
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine announced today that the Commonwealth will move forward with almost $25 million of green energy projects for state agencies and universities through the Public-Private Educational Facilities Infrastructure Act (PPEA). Funding for the projects will come from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and some of the projects will result in renewable energy credits. Continue reading “Public-private partnerships to fund green-energy projects at state agencies, universities” »
Stimulus funds to boost efforts to convert to propane
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine this week announced the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 has appropriated significant funding for the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy’s Paving the Way with Propane: The AutoGas Corridor Development Program. The AutoGas Corridor Development Program is a unique, progressive project aimed at building the infrastructure for public and private vehicle operators to convert existing vehicles from conventional gasoline to clean propane AutoGas. Continue reading “Stimulus funds to boost efforts to convert to propane” »
Ecodriving
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine participated in discussions on energy and transportation on Sunday in Williamsburg and highlighted the benefits of the EcoDriving program—a comprehensive, nationwide effort to save consumers money at the gas pump, reduce fuel use and cut carbon dioxide emissions. The discussions took place during the annual meeting of the Southern Governors’ Association. Continue reading “Ecodriving” »
Stimulus monies to help pay for solar panels
An $80 million grant from the federal stimulus will fund improvements to wastewater-treatment plants across the Commonwealth, including here in the Valley.
Augusta County will get $364,964 to go toward the installation of solar panels at wastewater-treatment plant pump stations across the county, according to the office of Gov. Tim Kaine, who on Tuesday accepted a check on behalf of the Commonwealth for $80,203,300 in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Continue reading “Stimulus monies to help pay for solar panels” »
In the News
- State News: Kaine issues executive order on environmental impact of state government
- Local News: Public meeting on South River study on Thursday
- Sports: Free tickets for Friday’s Waynesboro-Staunton game
- Local News: Flag Day at Wilson Library
- Event: Valley Pride July 26 Continue reading “In the News” »
In the News
- Event: Presentation on Iranian women writers
- Local News: Work at Port Republic Road and I-81 southbound exit ramp
- Economy: New jobless claims down slightly
- State News: Kaine joins agreement on ocean conservation Continue reading “In the News” »
Kaine announces actions on Renew Virginia
Gov. Tim Kaine announced action on Tuesday on several pieces of legislation related to his Renew Virginia green initiative, including a series of amendments to bills included in the package.
- SB 1248 – Northam
This bill originally implemented the number one recommendation of the Climate Change Commission: the establishment of a mandatory energy efficiency standard under which electricity consumption would be reduced by 19 percent of 2006 levels by 2025. Continue reading “Kaine announces actions on Renew Virginia” »
