MAYOR HANNEMANN APPLAUDS ENERGY EFFICIENCY GRANTS

Mayor Mufi Hannemann today said he is very pleased that Hawaii will receive federal funding through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Honolulu will receive $3,863,700.

“This was a very high priority for the U.S. Conference of Mayors, which initiated this program patterned after our successful experiences with Community Development Block Grants,” Mayor Hannemann said. “We lobbied Congress for these grants to be part of the federal stimulus package, and I commend the Obama administration and Hawaii’s congressional delegation for their leadership and support in promoting green jobs and energy efficiency. These grants, which total $2.8 billion nationwide, will benefit hundreds of cities and help them to achieve greater energy independence and sustainability.”

The grants will be used to reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions, and for improvements in energy efficiency.

The EECBG program is part of the USCM 10-Point Plan and the Mayors’ MainStreet Recovery Program. More than 935 U.S. Mayors have pledged support for USCM Climate Protection Agreement so far. Mayor Hannemann was one of the early signatories of the agreement.

Mayor Hannemann is a member of the USCM Advisory Board and is chairman of the USCM Tourism, Arts, Parks, Entertainment and Sports Committee.

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Media contact: Johnny Brannon, Mayor’s Office, 768-5767