News Release

For more information contact: Abbie Hodgson, 785-271-3269

November 24, 2009

$3.8 Million in Grant Funds Available for Renewable Energy
State Energy Office accepting applications from local units of government

Topeka, KS- The State Energy Office (SEO), a division of the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC), announced today the establishment of the Renewable Energy Incentives Grant program.

The program utilizes $3,837,200 of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funding, authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Local units of government are eligible to apply for grants to fund up to 25% of the development, implementation, and installation of renewable energy technology, up to $250,000.

"Projects funded through this grant will have long-lasting economic and environmental benefits for local Kansas communities," said Thomas Wright, Chairman of the Kansas Corporation Commission. "Not only will these grants help put people back to work in Kansas, but the projects will reduce fossil fuel emissions through the generation of clean energy."

Public entities including state agencies, cities and counties*, public colleges and universities, community colleges and technical schools, and unified school districts are eligible to apply for grants for qualifying wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, or hydropower projects.

Approximately $1 million will be awarded in each of the first three rounds. The remaining available funds will be awarded in round four. The deadline for submitting applications for round one is January 31, 2010. Round one awards will be made the second week of February.

For more information or to apply, please visit: http://kcc.ks.gov/energy/arra/

*Cities or counties that received direct allocations through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant are not eligible.