Energy funds for Washoe County

Washoe County could get $401,200 for local energy efficiency improvements. Throughout Nevada, $31,983,500 has been allocated. The funds are part of the Obama administration’s $3.2 billion investment in energy efficiency and conservation projects in the United States. Taking the form of block grants, the funding could be used to support energy audits and energy efficiency retrofits in residential and commercial buildings, the creation of financial incentive programs for efficiency improvements, as well as conservation projects involving transportation, greenhouse gas and methane capture and other energy-efficient installations. Energy Secretary Steven Chu said in a statement that the grants are to help spur job growth as well as promote conservation. “The funding will be used for the cheapest, cleanest and most reliable energy technologies we have—energy efficiency and conservation—which can be deployed immediately,” he said.