Vallejo to receive $1 million: Federal funds meant for energy projects, job creation

Vallejo to receive $1 million: Federal funds meant for energy projects, job creation
By Tony Burchyns/Times-Herald staff writer
Posted: 03/27/2009

Millions of federal dollars are headed to Vallejo and other cities to reduce energy costs and create jobs, officials announced Thursday.

The massive release of funds by the U.S. Department of Energy is part of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act -- and is meant to spur job growth while helping local governments trim energy use.

"Anything that helps reduce our ongoing costs is helpful," Vallejo Assistant City Manager Craig Whittom said.

Vallejo will receive $1.05 million in funding through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program.

It was not immediately known how the money would be used. Public Works Director Gary Leach was at a conference Thursday and could not be reached.

Generally, the funds can be used for projects that reduce fossil fuel emissions or total energy use, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Projects can take the form of replacing traffic lights with light-emitting diodes or crafting transportation plans, among other things. Federal officials say the funds will have the most impact if invested in ways that create and retain jobs in the short run while laying a foundation for a long-term sustainable clean energy economy.

John Cerini, a maintenance superintendent for the Vallejo Public Works Department, said solar panels on City Hall have lowered energy costs by as much as $4,000 a month. The city has three other solar arrays, he added.

Cerini said the cash-strapped city is "aggressively" looking for more grants that bring in revenue and lower costs.

Vallejo, mired in bankruptcy, must plug a $12 million deficit over the next year.
Vallejo Mayor Osby Davis said the program funds would help the city maintain its quality of life.

"I think we will find ourselves the recipients of other stimulus monies," Davis said, adding the city should seek federal funds to help struggling families avoid foreclosure.

The only other Solano County cities receiving Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant funding Thursday were Vacaville and Fairfield.

Vacaville, which was allocated $849,000, is considering four or five different options for the funds, including replacing pressurized gas lamp streetlights and traffic signals with LEDs, city spokesman Mark Mazzaferro said.

Vacaville has already upgraded its green and red traffic lights, but not the yellow ones, which obviously get less use, Mazzaferro said.

Other Vacaville projects under consideration include putting energy-efficient lighting in city buildings and replacing heating and air-conditioning units with cleaner models.

U.S. states, territories, Indian tribes, cities and counties were eligible to receive funds.

Grantees will be required to report regularly to the U.S. Department of Energy on the number of jobs created and retained, energy savings, added renewable energy capacity, greenhouse gas reductions and funds leveraged from other investors.

While the grants alone are not expected to cure the recession, U.S. Rep. George Miller, who represents Vallejo and Vacaville, called the funding "the latest shot in the arm for our communities."

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants being doled out in Solano County:

Vallejo - $1,051,200

Vacaville - $849,000

Fairfield - $984,500

The funds, tied to the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, were released Thursday by the U.S. Department of Energy. They will support projects meant to lower energy costs.