Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Representative Neil Abercrombie announced today that Hawaii will receive $15,068,200 million in federal stimulus funding for local energy efficiency and conservation projects through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, passed by Congress five weeks ago.

“This funding was approved by Congress to reduce total energy use and fossil fuel emissions, and to improve energy efficiency,” said Rep. Abercrombie, a senior member of the House Committee on Natural Resources.   “Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants give local government maximum flexibility to fund the kind of projects that make sense for each location and the available resources.”

Projects approved for funding in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, include:

• Hawaii State Energy Office — $9,593,500
• City/County of Honolulu — $3,863,700
• Hawaii — $737,800
• Kauai — $267,900
• Maui — $605,300

“Hawaii has now received a total of $45,039,661 in energy funding from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to date, including $4,041,461 for home weatherization assistance programs, and $25,930,000 for a state energy program, which provides rebates for home energy audits or other energy saving improvements, and funding to develop renewable energy projects for clean electricity generation and alternative fuels” Abercrombie said.  “With proper follow-through, these important steps can ultimately lead the way to energy independence for Hawaii.”

-30-