Public school buildings in the state of Oregon will get $16.8 million from the US Department of Energy (DOE) to help reduce energy costs and raise efficiency, the Associated Press reported last Friday (June 26). The grant will be from the federal stimulus allotted for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.

Stimulus funding that could reach up to $42 million will reportedly further go to Oregon’s State Energy Program. Oregon’s renewable electricity standard requires that at least 25% of its new energy resources must come from renewables along with its existing sources. The state target is to have 60% of its electricity coming from non-fossil fuel sources by 2025.

Energy audits, building retrofits, education and training, increasing the use of alternative fuels and hybrid vehicles, and new ways of financing energy efficiency and renewable energy are some actions that will be executed with the funding.

Oregon aims to have its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to be 10% less than 1990 levels by 2020. By 2050, the state’s target is to have GHG levels at 75% below 1990 levels. The said targets are among the US’s most ambitious GHG reduction goals.


-  Jen Balboa

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Sources:

¹ http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/IMAGES/Oregon/OregonStateSeal.jpg
² http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/docs/EnergyPlan07-09.pdf