Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) today announced that West Haven is being awarded $471,600 as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to help the City implement policies and projects that will benefit efficiency, conservation, renewable fuels development, and greenhouse gas reductions. These funds are awarded under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) awards made by the Department of Energy (DOE).

“These funds will help the City of West Haven make needed investments in energy solutions that will strengthen our economy, protect our environment, and create jobs,” said DeLauro. “I am pleased that West Haven will be on the cutting edge of nationwide efforts to promote clean, affordable, and reliable energy strategies. By deploying existing energy efficiency and conservation technologies- we can begin this work immediately and create good jobs in Connecticut.”

“We are pleased to have been selected as a recipient of funds through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant,” said West Haven Mayor John M. Picard. “The funding will allow us to initiate energy efficiency projects that will provide a cost savings for the City while protecting the environment and promoting awareness of the importance of using energy saving products. Through the energy efficiency and conservation work we will complete, the City of West Haven is able to play a part in meeting the nation’s long term clean energy and climate goals.”

This grant was awarded as part of $354 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is being awarded to 22 states to support energy efficiency and conservation activities. The EECBG Program was funded for the first time by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Funding for the EECBG Program under the Recovery Act totals $3.2 billion, of which approximately $2.7 billion will be awarded through formula grants to more than 2,300 cities, counties, states, and Indian tribes nationwide. Activities eligible for EECBG funding include energy audits and building retrofits in the residential and commercial sector, the development and implementation of advanced building codes and inspections, and the creation of financial incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements.