Government Funding for Energy Efficiency Programs Goes Unspent

An Energy Department audit found that nearly $900M for efficiency grants to states, cities has gone unspent.  This money was authorized in the 2009 economic stimulus law to help states, territories, local governments and Indian tribes improve their energy efficiency and reduce fossil fuel emissions, through projects such as retrofitting buildings.  These grants are an important way to improve the efficiency of older buildings, reduce waste and create jobs.  NEMA members manufacture products that would improve a building’s energy efficiency such as NEMA Premium Lighting, NEMA Premium Motors and NEMA Premium Transformers programs.  State and local governments should be encouraged to spend these energy efficiency and conservation block grants quickly and responsibly.