Washington, DC (March, 26, 2009) – Washington, D.C. –Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15) and Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced today that an additional $7,398,600 in federal funding is headed to Deep South Texas for Local Energy Efficiency Improvements.  The money is part of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program funded the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and is in addition to money originally allocated to Texas for weatherization and energy funding.

“This announcement is great news for Deep South Texas” Congressman Hinojosa said.  “It represents yet another example of how the American Recovery Act of 2009 that we passed in February is going to help our local communities create new jobs and provide relief from rising energy costs.”

“This is tremendous news for Hidalgo County,” Congressman Cuellar said.  “In these challenging economic times, these funds will create jobs right away and provide the foundation for efficient energy use and economic growth for years to come.”

According to the Department of Energy, the funding will support energy audits and energy efficiency retrofits in residential and commercial buildings, the development and implementation of advanced building codes and inspections, and the creation of financial incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements. Other activities eligible for use of grant funds include transportation programs that conserve energy, projects to reduce and capture methane and other greenhouse gas emissions from landfills, renewable energy installations on government buildings, energy efficient traffic signals and street lights, deployment of Combined Heat and Power and district heating and cooling systems, and others.

Hinojosa added, “These funds are intended to be put to work quickly and efficiently, in a way that our local leaders think will best spur economic growth and reduce energy costs.  There will be appropriate mechanisms in place to make sure the money are used as intended and that they bring relief to Deep South Texas.”

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, will provide formula grants for projects that reduce total energy use and fossil fuel emissions, and improve energy efficiency nationwide.

Congressman Hinojosa continued, “I want to thank the Obama administration and the Department of Energy for releasing these funds quickly.  I supported the Recovery Act because I wanted to help out the families and businesses of Deep South Texas.  This announcement is a sign of the changes we are bringing to communities in need across the nation”

Below is a chart of the money allocated for Deep South Texas:

For more information from the Department of Energy, please click here.

###