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NEBRASKA ENERGY OFFICE
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 |
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This is the Nebraska Energy Office’s site for informing citizens about the use of federal stimulus funding received from the U.S. Department of Energy under the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). This site provides accountability and transparency on how stimulus funds are being spent.
We expect the federal funds received to be used primarily for programs that provide actual energy savings and create and maintain jobs in Nebraska.
The ARRA funding involves a number of state-administered federally funded programs. I invite you to use this web site to get information about these programs and track how funds coming to Nebraska are used. Information on the site will be updated regularly as funding is received and new projects are announced. This site will also provide information on U.S. Department of Energy ARRA funds which are nationally competitive and may require grant application submissions.
Neil Moseman, Director
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American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (2.5 MB). Power Point presented in Scottsbluff, Kearney and Ashland - Mahoney State Park, April 2009.
Opportunities for Energy Efficiency Implementation in Nebraska; Net-Zero Energy, High-Performance Green Buildings, August 6, 2009. (Power Point 1.4 MB)
Programs and Recovery Act Opportunities, AIA, Nebraska Chapter, October 2, 2009 (Power Point 1.7 MB)
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Nebraska will receive $41,644,458 over three years. This program provides free home weatherization services such as insulation and furnace inspections for lower income Nebraskans. Services are provided at the local level primarily by community action agencies. More Nebraskans will be eligible for these services since income guidelines were raised from 150 to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. |
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Nebraska Weatherization Plan submitted to the U.S. Department of Energy
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Nebraska will receive $30,910,000 over three years. This program provides energy efficiency services to consumers and small energy users, public information, energy statistics and education, including renewable energy activities. Dollar and Energy Saving Loans are perhaps the best known activity under this program. |
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Nebraska State Energy Program Plan submitted to the U.S. DOE, May 11, 2009 and approved June 10, 2009.
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Letter from Governor Heineman to U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu
Letter from Governor Heineman to Speaker of the Nebraska Legislature Mike Flood
Letter from Governor Heineman to Nebraska Public Service Commission Executive Director Mike Hybl
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This is a new program patterned after Community Development Block Grants. Sixty-eight percent of the state’s share of these funds will be sent directly to the ten largest cities and the ten largest counties for their use. Twelve percent will be allocated to the State Energy Program and 16 percent will be distributed by the Energy Office to those cities and counties that did not receive direct funding. The funding level for Nebraska communities was announced 3/26/2009 (see link below). Further guidance for program implementation will be provided by the U.S. Department of Energy. |
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Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Application, Submitted to U.S. DOE June 19, 2009 and Approved September 14, 2009
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Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Solicitation is Now Closed
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About the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants Program
Financial Assistance Funding Opportunity Announcement "New Deadline: Aug. 10, 2009"
Additional $18,810,300 for Local Energy Efficiency Improvements in Nebraska
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Frequently Asked Questions
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This is a new program that provides energy efficient consumer appliance and heating/cooling equipment rebates. On July 14, 2009, the U.S. Department of Energy released guidance on applying for a grant of $1,710,100. The state application for this funding is due October 15, 2009. |
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Energy Star Appliance Rebate Summary (October 19, 2009; Approved December 1, 2009)
Signup to be Notified when Rebate Program Starts |
Recently Announced Nationally Competitive Funding Opportunities
Funding opportunities below are listed by due date.
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The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides $750 million for competitive grants from the U.S. Department of Labor for worker training and placement in high growth and emerging industry sectors. Of that amount, $500 million is targeted for research, labor exchange, and job training projects for careers in energy efficiency and renewable energy: Energy efficient building, construction, and retrofitting; renewable electric power; energy efficient and advanced drive train vehicles; biofuels; deconstruction and materials use; energy efficiency assessment for residential, commercial, or industrial sector, and manufacturing of sustainable products using sustainable processes. The remaining $250 million will be for projects in growth and emerging industry sectors with a priority for projects in the health care sector and projects that are tied to industry sectors where jobs are being created as a result of the Recovery Act. Solicitations for Grant Awards (SGA) no later than June 30, 2009. The SGA will provide specific requirements for use of the funds, certification, data reporting, performance measures, and other necessary information. DOL will be publishing the grant opportunities on Grants.gov. Information on grant opportunities will also be available on DOL’s Recovery Web site: http://www.dol.gov/recovery/. Funding available: $750 million. Deadline: TBA |
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The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of the Biomass Program will issue two Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) to address research and development related to intermediate ethanol blends and algal and advanced biofuels.
Expansion of Infrastructure for Ethanol Blends The purpose is to increase the availability and use of potential ethanol blends up to 85 percent ethanol.
Topic Area 1: Refueling Infrastructure for Ethanol Blends. Cost-shared projects to expand the infrastructure at retail fueling locations to accommodate gasoline-ethanol blends. Projects may include modifications, upgrades or expansions of existing infrastructure at retail stations, or the installation of new equipment to accommodate blends of ethanol.
Topic Area 2: Education and Outreach for Ethanol Blends. Projects to increase public awareness of the benefits, safety, and use requirements of ethanol blends.
Development of Algal Biofuels and Advanced Fungible Biofuels through Consortiums The purpose is to address the interface between fundamental and applied research utilizing consortiums with expertise to develop algal and advanced fungible biofuels technologies. DOE will not be seeking to construct new facilities but leverage existing capabilities and resources. DOE expects to fund projects over multiple years.
Topic Area 1: Algal Biofuels Research and Development
Develop cost effective algae based biofuels that are competitive with their petroleum counterparts. The research and development will focus on:
• Feedstock Supply: Strain development and cultivation;
• Feedstock Logistics: Harvesting and extraction;
• Conversion/Production: Accumulation of intermediate and synthesis of fuels and co-products;
• Infrastructure: Fuel testing and standardization; and
• Sustainable Practices: Life-cycle and economic analyses, siting, and resources management.
Topic Area 2: Advanced Fungible Biofuels
Develop technology pathways leading to cost effective (conversion of biomass to advanced biofuels other than cellulosic ethanol with particular interest in bio-based hydrocarbon fuels, e.g. green gasoline and diesel. The areas of research could include the following:
• Chemical conversion of cellulosic sugars;
• Selective thermal processing technologies;
• Utilization of petroleum refining technology for conversion of biocrude;
• Catalyst specificity and lifetime;
• Engineering designs;
• Biomass processing catalyst development; and
• Biomass-to-liquids (fuels) catalyst development.
• Biomass-to-liquids (fuels) catalyst development.
Prospective applicants should begin developing partnerships, formulating ideas, and gathering data.
Funding Available: Unknown Deadline: Issued Summer 2009.
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