Governor Terry McAuliffe today announced that Virginia has received a $300,000 competitive grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to implement the governor’s energy efficiency goals, including lowering energy consumption in the Commonwealth by 10 percent in 2020.
The Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME) will receive the grant. As part of the grant, DMME will work closely with the Virginia Energy Efficiency Council (VAEEC), the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) and Clean Energy Solutions, Inc (CESI).
“Reducing energy consumption and providing lower energy costs for individuals and businesses in Virginia are critical components in my administration’s efforts to build a new Virginia economy,” said Governor McAuliffe. “This grant award provides much needed resources to implement my strategy to lower Virginia’s retail electricity consumption by ten percent in 2020 from 2006 levels.”
“Energy costs are a major driver for retaining, expanding and attracting businesses in Virginia,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones. “Lowering those costs through energy efficiency makes Virginia more competitive and gives businesses more money to invest in their growth.”
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) State Energy Program (SEP) provides funding and technical assistance to state and territory energy offices to help them advance their clean energy economy while contributing to national energy goals. The grant awarded to DMME will provide additional expert support for the work of theGovernor’s Executive Committee on Energy Efficiency (GEC). The GEC, a 12-member group of public and private sector stakeholders appointed by the Governor in May is tasked with meeting that goal.”
“The Virginia Energy Efficiency Council congratulates Governor McAuliffe and the DMME for their commitment to real energy efficiency gains in the state and for their vision to apply for this critical funding,” said Cynthia Adams, Chair of the VAEEC. “This grant from the Department of Energy gives Virginia much needed funding to create the necessary tools for charting a course to energy and cost savings for Virginia residents and businesses.”
Resources
Virginia Energy Efficiency Council (VAEEC)
The VAEEC, a nonprofit organization, is a broad coalition whose mission is to assess and support programs, innovation, best practices and policies that advance energy efficiency in the Commonwealth and to provide a forum for stakeholder interaction. Membership includes businesses of all sizes, utilities, nonprofits, universities, local governments and other advocacy organizations, and this diversity allows the VAEEC to offer an inclusive and constructive perspective on energy policy. www.vaeec.org
Clean Energy Solutions (CESI)
CESI was formed by two entrepreneurs widely considered pioneers in the energy industry, with experience raising millions of dollars of private and public funding, working both for and inside major utilities, state energy offices, local governments and leading professional societies and industry trade groups. CESI has developed several strategic energy plans for clients over the past five years. http://cleanenergysol.com
The Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA)
SEEA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Established in 2007, SEEA is the only Regional Energy Efficiency Organization (REEO) serving the southeastern United States. SEEA’s work with multiple state energy offices has yielded broad regional experience addressing a range of diverse and challenging issues ranging from effective program models to support residential and commercial energy efficiency investment, to community scale financing approaches. http://www.seealliance.org
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Chris Graham
