Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded $2 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Energy to help several of the state’s local governments, schools, and nonprofit groups cut costs by lowering their energy usage. The grants will be administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.

The new funding will go toward replacing outdated heating, cooling, and lighting with more modern and efficient equipment that is less expensive to use.

“It just makes good sense to conserve funds by converting to more energy efficient heating, cooling and lighting equipment,” Ivey said. “I applaud these schools, local governments and other organizations who are investing in modern equipment and techniques to ensure that they are spending wisely.”

ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said the decision to make the upgrades is the correct one.

“Those who invest in these energy upgrades are making wise and prudent decisions that will pay dividends well into the future,” Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to join Gov. Ivey in assisting these groups and organizations with reducing their costs.”

The money will go to:

• Hawk Pride Mountain Water System (Colbert County) – $246,000 to install energy-efficient motor drive additions at two water wells.
• The Health Care Authority of the City of Huntsville – $54,500 to install building automation systems at the Plaza Resource Center.
• Niche Polymer (Killen) – $143,600 to install energy efficient LED lighting, a heating and air system and solar pole lighting upgrades.
• Swearengin Water Systems (Grant) – $79,000 to provide energy-efficient upgrades at a water system booster station.
• Catalyst Community Church (Gadsden) – $156,000 to install energy-efficient LED lighting and heating and air-conditioning upgrades.
• North Park Baptist Church (Trussville) – $105,000 to provide energy-efficient LED lighting and heating and air upgrades.
• Center Point (City of) – $250,000 to install solar panel systems at City Hall, the community center and the public library.
• Tuscaloosa County School System – $200,000 to install energy-efficient LED lighting upgrades at Vance Elementary School in Vance and Walker Elementary School in Holt.
• Dallas County Board of Education – $240,000 to install energy-efficient LED lighting at Keith Middle School in Orrville and Valley Grande Elementary School.
• Alabama Shakespeare Festival (Montgomery) – $249,500 to install energy-efficient LED lighting at the Carolyn Blount Theatre.
• Heart of Alabama Food Bank (Montgomery) – $140,000 to install energy-efficient LED lighting upgrades.

The State Energy Program aids qualified organizations and groups in lowering energy costs by making energy-efficient improvements in buildings and operations.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.

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