Recovery Act Programs and Initiatives

As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, the 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).

ARRA - SEP Grant

Efficiency Kansas Loan Program

The Energy Division established this revolving loan fund to give Kansans access to low-cost financing for energy-efficiency improvements in existing homes and small businesses.

The following programs and initiatives support Efficiency Kansas.

• $100 Energy Audit Program ($954,500): This program subsidized the cost of Efficiency Kansas energy audits, reducing customer's first cost to only $100.
• This program replaced the $350 Energy Audit Rebate Program ($9,100), which provided a $350 rebate to customers who completed an Efficiency Kansas project.
• $500 Thermal Envelope Rebate ($285,000): This program provided $500 rebates for thermal envelope improvements implemented through Efficiency Kansas.
• Energy Auditor Training ($200,000): To increase the number of qualified energy auditors working in Kansas, the Energy Division provided 100 scholarships and identified three training institutions to provide effective training, two of which received grants to "train the trainers" and enhance facilities.
• Equipment for New Energy Auditors ($248,055): To minimize startup costs for energy auditors, particularly for those that may have been previously unemployed, 50 "packages" of equipment were purchased and made available to energy auditors to borrow or rent (at a nominal fee).
• Marketing ($500,000): To drive participation in Efficiency Kansas, a professional marketing group was hired to develop a strategic campaign including radio, TV, and outdoor ads and website.
• Loan Fee Rebates to Lenders ($19,750): Partner Lenders received a $250 rebate to defray upfront administrative costs and thus reduce costs for borrowers.
• Efficiency Kansas Database ($120,000): This reporting and tracking database enabled the Energy Division to identify trends and best practices; all qualified Efficiency Kansas energy auditors are provided access through 2012.

Dynamic Pricing ($134,113)

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.

Building Operators Certification ($1,700)

This grant augmented the support the Energy Division provides to municipal and cooperative utility members interested in receiving Building Operator Certification training.

Take Charge! Challenge ($212,262)

The Energy Office partnered with the non-profit Climate and Energy Project (CEP) to sponsor the 2011 Take Charge! Challenge, a friendly competition among 16 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. See below for more details. Learn more about the Take Charge Challenge.

Energy Efficiency Retrofits at Kansas Regents Institutions ($6,875,000)

These grants finance various energy efficiency upgrades at Emporia State University ($900,000), Pittsburg State University ($900,000), Kansas State University ($2,600,000), the University of Kansas ($1,500,000), and the University of Kansas Medical Center ($900,000).

Biomethane Digester at Western Plains Energy ($15,600,000)

This project, administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce, involves the construction of a biomethane digester at the Western Plains Energy ethanol plant near Oakley, Kansas. The digester will convert feedlot and other waste into biogas, a renewable fuel, and will enable the ethanol plant to use this renewable resource instead of natural gas.

Bioenergy Supply Chain Development ($4,900,000)

This project, administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce, supports a biomass harvesting, handling, and delivery demonstration project at the Kansas Alliance for Biorefining and Bioenergy (KABB). KABB will purchase advanced harvesting and transportation equipment, designed to harvest dedicated biomass crops, and make the equipment available through lease and for-hire services to improve the harvesting and delivery of biomass products.

ARRA - 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 renewable energy projects. Learn more about renewable energy incentives grants.

Energy Manager Grants ($1.7 million)

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

Public Projects Grants ($4 million)

This grant program provides grants to cities and counties for energy conservation projects in public facilities. Learn more about public projects grants.

Take Charge! Challenge ($800,000)

These funds covered program funds for the 16 cities participating in the Take Charge Challenge (see above for more details) and provide $100,000 grants to the 4 regional winners for an energy efficiency or renewable energy project. Learn more about the Take Charge Challenge.

Energy Efficiency Building Codes

To ensure compliance with the Recovery Act energy code requirements in the Recovery Act, the KCC established the Energy Efficiency Building Codes Working Group.

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

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