JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.—The Missouri Division of Energy
announced today that approximately $5.1 million
has been awarded for low-interest loans to assist four public schools, three city/county
governments, and one fire protection district with energy-efficiency and
renewable energy projects.
The funded projects, which are expected to support 65 jobs
and benefit more than 439,062 Missourians, are expected to result in annual
energy savings of approximately $720,484. The loans will be repaid with money
saved on energy costs as a result of implementing these upgrades and
improvements. In addition, the projects will reduce electricity use by more
than 10,101,195 kilowatt hour (kWh) and natural gas use by 4,915 Million Btu
(MMBtu), avoiding 7,362 metric tons of carbon dioxide pollution, which equates
to removing 1,556 passenger cars from the road for a year.
“The
Energy Loan Program provides the opportunity for Missouri schools, hospitals,
and governments to make improvements by installing clean energy innovations in
their buildings,” said Director of Division of Energy, Kristy Manning. “The loan project stimulates Missouri’s economy by
saving tax payer money, allowing the applicants to redirect savings toward
other priorities, and helps create jobs for the state of Missouri.”
Since the Energy Loan Program’s inception in 1989, the Department
of Economic Development’s Division of Energy has awarded more than 598 loans
resulting in more than $106 million in completed energy efficiency projects and
more than $198 million in estimated cumulative energy savings. Through the
department’s Division of Energy, low-interest loans are provided to public
schools, public and private higher education institutions, public and private
not-for-profit hospitals, and local governments to help reduce energy costs. Loan
financing may be used for various energy-saving investments such as insulation,
lighting systems, heating and cooling systems, combined heat and power, pumps,
motors, aerators, renewable energy systems, and other measures that reduce
energy use and cost.
For a list of recipients or to learn more about the
Energy Loan Program, please visit energyloan.mo.gov or
contact the Missouri Department of Economic Development’s Division of Energy at
573-751-2254 or toll-free at 855-522-2796.
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