Home » Department for Energy Development and Independence announces grant recipients

Department for Energy Development and Independence announces grant recipients

Projects integrate renewable and energy efficiency initiatives and technologies in public and private sectors

FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 24, 2017) — Seven organizations will share more than $1.6 million in grant funding to promote efficient technologies and practices in public and private-sector buildings, Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Charles Snavely announced on Monday. Recipients include education, utility service, local government, and waste water treatment organizations.

“These projects represent innovative initiatives that provide long-term benefits to the citizens of Kentucky,” said Sec. Snavely. “Some projects build upon existing programs that have already demonstrated the value of investments in energy efficiency while other projects integrate new technologies and practices in areas that support infrastructure in local communities.”

Grant funds are provided under a 2011 settlement agreement for a Clean Air Act violation. The settlement required the permittee to invest in new and upgraded state-of-the-art pollution controls that will reduce pollution, save energy and protect public health and the environment. Kentucky received $11.2 million to implement environmental mitigation projects.

Kentucky’s Energy and Environment Cabinet issued a request for proposals early this year to award unused funds from the 2011 settlement.

The organizations, projects or programs that have received grants are:

• Botanica Inc. (Waterfront Botanical Gardens), $375,000 for Botanica Inc. to support the development of a net zero energy visitor education center at the Waterfront Botanical Gardens.

• Butler County Water System, $37,000 to support an energy efficiency project at the Butler County Water Treatment Plant. The project involves increasing the energy efficiency of the pumps, which are a major cost center of the water treatment plant.

• Kentucky Department for Local Government (DLG), $375,000 to provide continuing support to local governments to undertake comprehensive energy efficiency projects to help save valuable local resources.

• Jackson Energy Cooperative, $28,540 in support of a solar plus energy storage demonstration project at the corporate offices in McKee, Kentucky. The demonstration system will allow Jackson Energy to assess effects on peak demand, grid stabilization, power factor correction, and infrastructure cost avoidance.

• Owsley County Board of Education, $335,896 for an energy project at the Owsley County Elementary School. The project involves energy efficiency improvements coupled with on-site solar generation to reduce the energy consumption at the school and save money for the district.

• University of Louisville Research Foundation, Inc., $105,426 for the University of Louisville, Kentucky Pollution Prevention Center, to implement a building operator certification program. The program will train and certify facility managers on building operations to achieve energy savings.

• Warren County Public Schools, $375,000 to support solar installations on net zero ready or ENERGY STAR certified schools.