Recovery Act Programs and Initiatives

As part of the American Recover and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, the State Energy Division received approximately $47.7 million in additional funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

The funding was issued through two different federal programs:

• $38,284,000 through the State Energy Program (SEP), and
• $9,593,500 through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG).

SEP Grant

Efficiency Kansas Loan Program

This revolving loan program provides low-cost financing for energy-efficiency improvements in existing homes and small businesses. Improvements are based on the findings of a comprehensive energy audit, performed by Efficiency Kansas qualified auditors. Visit the Efficiency Kansas web site (www.efficiencykansas.com) to learn more.

The following programs and initiatives support Efficiency Kansas.

• Energy Audit Rebates: To offset the costs of the energy audit, the first 1,000 participants who complete an approved project through Efficiency Kansas will receive a $350 rebate.
• Energy Auditor Training: To increase the number of qualified energy auditors working statewide, three training institutions were identified as qualified to provide effective training, two of which received grants to "train the trainers" and enhance facilities. Learn more about energy auditor training.
• Training Scholarships for Energy Auditors: To help more Kansans access energy auditor training, the State Energy Division has provided 100 scholarships covering the full cost of training at one of the approved training institutions. Learn more about training scholarships for energy auditors.
• Equipment for New Energy Auditors: To minimize startup costs for energy auditors, particularly for those that may have been previously unemployed, SEO has purchased 50 "packages" of equipment that energy auditors can borrow or rent (at a nominal fee) from the three qualified energy auditor training institutions and other public agencies.
• Marketing: The State Energy Division contracted with Trozzolo Communications Group for professional marketing and promotional assistance.
• Loan Fee Rebates to Lenders: Partner Lenders receive a $250 rebate to defray upfront administrative costs and thus reduce costs for borrowers.
• Take Charge Challenge: The Energy Division is partnering with the Climate and Energy Project (CEP) to sponsor an expanded version of the Take Charge Challenge, a friendly competition among communities to reduce energy usage and promote participation in the state’s energy-efficiency retrofit programs, including Efficiency Kansas, FCIP, and the low-income Weatherization Assistance Program. The Take Charge Challenge 2011 will involve 16 cities across Kansas and build on this successful strategy, recently highlighted as a best practice. See below for more details. Learn more about the Take Charge Challenge.

Comprehensive Utility Rate Design

The Kansas Corporation Commission hired Christensen Associates Energy Consulting, LLC (Christensen) to assist in developing and guiding a comprehensive, collaborative planning process to redesign utility rate structures to encourage consumers to utilize energy in an efficient manner.

EECBG Grant

Renewable Energy Incentives Grants ($2.5 million)

This grant program provides up to $250,000 to local units of government, educational institutions, and state agencies for 25% of approved costs for renewable energy projects. Learn more about renewable energy incentives grants.

Energy Manager Grants ($1.7 million)

This grant program provides 10 public coalitions with up to 2 years of funding to hire energy managers and to fund energy efficiency expenditures. Learn more about energy manager grants.

Public Projects Grants ($4 million)

This grant program provides a maximum of $150,000 to cities and counties for financing up to 60% of energy conservation projects in public facilities. Learn more about public projects grants.

Take Charge Challenge ($800,000)

These funds will cover program funds for the 16 cities participating in the Take Charge Challenge (see above for more details), and also provide up to $100,000 for an energy efficiency or renewable energy project as an award for each of the 4 regional winners. Learn more about the Take Charge Challenge.

Energy Efficiency Building Codes Working Group

To ensure timely progress towards the energy codes requirement for all recipients of federal Recovery funds, the Energy Division established the Energy Efficiency Building Codes Working Group.

Recovery.gov has more information about the U.S. Recovery Act spending.

Sign up to receive Email Updates from the Kansas Energy Division