HHS Deputy Secretary Bill Corr today announced the release of $13.4 million for loan repayments to nurses who agree to practice in facilities with critical shortages and for schools of nursing to provide loans to students who will become nurse faculty. The funds were made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), signed Feb. 17, 2009, by President Obama.

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WASHINGTON —The U.S. Department of Labor today certified for release $20,351,150 in unemployment insurance (UI) modernization incentive funds to the state of Hawaii. Hawaii qualified for these funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) by including certain family-friendly provisions in its UI law.

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At 12:01 A.M. on August 17, 2009, www.federalreporting.gov will go live and recipients of Recovery funds will be able to register as the first step in the reporting process mandated by the Recovery Act. Simple registration should take approximately five minutes if recipients already have a DUNS number and CCR number. For more information on the pre-requisites for registering, visit FAQs.

Registration will continue through September 30, 2009, with reporting officially beginning on October 1, 2009 through October 10, 2009. For a preview of the guidance and forms associated with reporting, see recipient reporting information.

The General Services Administration (GSA) received $5.55 billion in Recovery Act funding to construct courthouses, federal buildings, and border stations, and to convert federal buildings to high-performance green buildings. In assessing GSA's ability to effectively manage these funds, the GSA Office of Inspector General (OIG) identified several challenges that should be addressed. The agency needs to hire or contract a sufficient number of qualified personnel who buy goods and services on GSA's behalf. To manage construction projects and related purchases, the agency should establish a thorough planning and documentation process, as well as develop alternate funding avenues. In addition, the OIG reminded the agency of the minimum requirements for converting federal building to high-performance green buildings.

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Of the $500 million in Recovery Act funding the Social Security Administration (SSA) received to administer disability and retirement payments, up to $40 million can be used for an electronic medical records system to process disability claims. SSA's Office of Inspector reviewed the agency's spending plan for the electronic records system and found that the plan met the requirements established by the Recovery Act and the guidelines issued by the Office of Management and Budget. The Office of Inspector General noted that the agency is planning to spend $24 million for contracts and projects related to electronic medical records technology by January, 2010 and recommended that once the $24 million is awarded, the agency reassess whether it could award additional contracts and, therefore, expend more of the $40 million allotted for this initiative.

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Funding will stimulate the production of thousands of housing units stalled by recession while creating tens of thousands of jobs across the country
WASHINGTON - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced that HUD is approving the final round of plans submitted by state housing finance agencies totaling over a billion dollars to jumpstart affordable housing programs in 26 states throughout the country that are currently stalled due to the economic recession. This brings the total amount of funding now at work under this program to $2.25 billion dollars in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
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WASHINGTON — During a visit to Iowa today, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis announced a $521,910 grant to assist approximately 90 workers affected by layoffs at Featherlite Inc. located in Cresco, Iowa.

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The Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the Department of Education conducted an analysis of 41 audits and 13 investigations that took place between 2003 to 2009 and identified various weaknesses in the administration of grants by State and local education agencies. These agencies will receive dramatic increases in funding through the Recovery Act, and in order to minimize fraud and mismanagement, the OIG has recommended that the Department enhance the guidance on grant requirements as well as fraud awareness and prevention.

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Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today announced the availability of $24 million in contracts to provide the agency with electronic medical records to improve the efficiency of its disability programs. Through a Request for Proposals available on www.fedbizopps.gov, Social Security is looking for health care providers, provider networks, and health information exchanges to participate in its Medical Evidence Gathering and Analysis through Health Information Technology (IT) program.

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The Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the Department of Agriculture (USDA) reviewed the agency's control over the distribution of $173 million in Recovery Act funds for direct
farm-operating loans. USDA's Farm Services Agency makes these loans directly to farmers and ranchers who cannot obtain commercial credit from banks or other financial institutions. The OIG evaluated the process for determining borrower eligibility and the requirements for how the loans are used, and recommended that the agency strengthen both.

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WASHINGTON — The U.S. Census Bureau announced today that it met the July 1, 2009 deadline to create more than 2,200 new jobs across the country. Funding for the positions was made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The new employees will support the agency's 2010 Census partnership program.

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HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today unveiled a new feature on Grants.gov to help users find and apply for The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant opportunities. Grants.gov contains information about finding and applying for all federal grant programs.

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HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today provided the down payment for a nationwide effort to reduce health care associated infections in stand-alone or same-day surgical centers. The first effort will begin later this month in 12 states under provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

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Obama Administration Starts $4.35 Billion "Race to the Top" Competition, Pledges a Total of $10 Billion for Reforms

President Barack Obama and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that states leading the way on school reform will be eligible to compete for $4.35 billion in Race to the Top competitive grants to support education reform and innovation in classrooms. Between the 2009 budget and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), more than $10 billion in grant money will be available to states and districts that are driving reform.

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Second Half of Title I, IDEA and VR Funds to be Released 30 Days Early
Washington, DC — U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that the Department will accelerate stimulus spending by making $11.37 billion in Title I, IDEA, and Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) funding, as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), available to states one month early to help save jobs and drive reform.
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Aids Recovery in Construction and Service Sectors

WASHINGTON - Building on Recovery Act provisions implemented earlier this year, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced today it can now provide surety bond guarantees on federal contracts valued at up to $10 million, if the contracting officer certifies that the guarantee is in the best interests of the government. An Interim Final Rule is available for public inspection at The Federal Register.
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Grants will boost energy efficiency, create jobs in Native American communities
WASHINGTON - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan announced today that HUD is awarding 50 grants, totaling $100 million, to Native American communities across the country to improve housing and stimulate community development.

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General Services Administration Press Release

WASHINGTON – In a major step toward developing a state-of-the-art website that provides the public with a user-friendly portal to see how recovery money is being spent, the U.S. General Services Administration, on behalf of the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board, recently awarded Smartronix Inc. with a contract to build the new Recovery.gov website.

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced a new Web site (www.ContinuationCoverage.net) and helpline (1-866-400-6689) where certain unemployed workers may request expedited review of a denial by their former employers of eligibility for COBRA premium assistance under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

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The Recovery Act provides an estimated $87 billion in additional funding to the states through 2010 to protect and maintain their Medicaid programs in the current economic downturn. In its second audit of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Recovery Act funding, the HHS Office of Inspector General found that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services correctly calculated temporary increases in Medicaid's Federal medical assistance percentages for the first two quarters of Fiscal Year 2009 (i.e., October 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009), and awarded approximately $15.2 billion in additional funding to the states.

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The Recovery Act has provided the General Services Administration (GSA) with significant opportunities to repair and upgrade its historic buildings. However the rigid spending deadline in the Act has meant that the GSA must consider alternatives for identifying and assessing the effects of the repairs and upgrades as required by Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

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Loan Guarantees Will Help Create New Jobs while Fostering Clean Energy Innovation

Washington, DC - U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today that the Department of Energy will provide up to $30 billion in loan guarantees, depending on the applications and market conditions, for renewable energy projects. Another $750 million will support several billion dollars more in loan guarantees for projects that increase the reliability, efficiency and security of the nation's transmission system. The two new loan guarantee solicitations announced today are being funded partly through the Recovery Act and partly through 2009 appropriations.

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Qualified contracting officers are important to ensuring that the Small Business Administration (SBA) gets the best value for goods and services purchased with its Recovery Act funds. In a report issued by the agency's Office of Inspector General (OIG), it was noted that SBA gave contracting officers authority to make purchases on the agency's behalf without ensuring that they met required education, training, and experience. The OIG recommended that SBA establish better controls over the certification program and the process for authorizing contracting officers to buy goods and services.
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WASHINGTON—In a major step toward developing a state-of-the-art Recovery.gov website, a contract was awarded this week to Smartronix, Inc., a Maryland information technology firm. The company will build the new website for the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board, an independent agency that manages Recovery.gov and monitors spending under the $787 billion Recovery program.

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WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $558,591 grant to assist approximately 160 workers affected by layoffs at eight manufacturing companies located in southern New Hampshire.
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WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $578,574 grant to assist approximately 50 workers affected by layoffs at Sauer Danfoss Inc. in Hillsboro, Ore.
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The Social Security Administration (SSA) received $500 million in Recovery Act funding to replace its 30-year old National Computer Center, which supports SSA's delivery of essential services, such as providing benefits and issuing Social Security cards. The computer center is currently under stress due to its age, design, and increasing workload as baby boomers retire. When looking at the agency's disaster recovery plan, the Office of Inspector General recommended expediting the Durham Support Center—a secondary site scheduled to come online in 2013—because it will have expanded computer and power supply capabilities and, therefore, can help avoid service disruptions if a disaster occurs.

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Funding to stimulate the production of thousands of housing units stalled by recession while creating jobs across the country

WASHINGTON - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced that HUD is approving plans submitted by state housing finance agencies for $1,035,322,485 to jump start affordable housing programs in states throughout the country that are currently stalled due to the economic recession. Funded through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act), HUD's new Tax Credit Assistance Program (TCAP) will allow 26 state housing finance agencies to resume funding of affordable rental housing projects across the nation while stimulating employment in the hard-hit construction trades.

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GSA Projects Will Yield Higher-Performing, Money-Saving, Greener Federal Buildings

WASHINGTON — The U.S. General Services Administration marked a major milestone in its implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act today, as it brought its total investments in construction projects to date to more than $1 billion.
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Funding Will Speed Adoption of Efficiency and Renewable Energy Technologies in California, Missouri, New Hampshire and North Carolina

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced more than $154 million in Recovery Act funding to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in California, Missouri, New Hampshire and North Carolina. Under DOE's State Energy Program, states have proposed statewide plans that prioritize energy savings, create or retain jobs, increase the use of renewable energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This initiative is part of the Obama Administration's national strategy to support job growth, while making a historic down payment on clean energy and conservation.

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Cash Assistance Will Increase Economic Development, Promote Renewable Energy Use Program Guidance Now Available to Businesses to Facilitate Swift Implementation

WASHINGTON - As part of an innovative partnership aimed at increasing economic development in urban and rural areas while setting our nation on the path to energy independence, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Department of Energy today announced an estimated $3 billion for the development of renewable energy projects around the country and made available the guidance businesses will need to submit a successful application. Funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act), the program will provide direct payments in lieu of tax credits in support of an estimated 5,000 bio-mass, solar, wind, and other types of renewable energy production facilities.

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Up to $408 million in Recovery Act Funding for New Technologies to Advance Carbon Capture and Storage

Washington, DC — U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today that projects by Basin Electric Power Cooperative and Hydrogen Energy International LLC have been selected for up to $408 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The two projects selected -- an existing power plant in North Dakota and a new facility in California -- will incorporate advanced technologies to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

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Funding Will Speed Adoption of Efficiency and Renewable Energy Technologies

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced more than $96 million in Recovery Act funding to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in Ohio, Oregon, Virginia and West Virginia. Under DOE's State Energy Program, states have proposed statewide plans that prioritize energy savings, create or retain jobs, increase the use of renewable energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This initiative is part of the Obama Administration's national strategy to support job growth, while making a historic down payment on clean energy and conservation.

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Recovery Act funding to expand weatherization assistance programs, create jobs and weatherize more than 85,000 homes

WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced that the Department of Energy is providing more than $304 million in Recovery Act funding to expand weatherization assistance programs in Georgia, Illinois and New York. These funds, along with additional funds to be disbursed after the states meet certain Recovery Act milestones, will help these states achieve their goal of weatherizing more than 85,000 homes, lowering energy costs for low-income families that need it, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and creating green jobs across the country.

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Recovery Act funding to expand weatherization assistance programs, create jobs and weatherize more than 91,000 homes in Arkansas, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota and New Hampshire

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced that the Department of Energy is providing more than $288 million in Recovery Act funding to expand weatherization assistance programs in Arkansas, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, and New Hampshire. These funds, along with additional funds to be disbursed after the states meet certain Recovery Act milestones, will help these states achieve their goal of weatherizing more than 91,000 homes, lowering energy costs for low-income families that need it, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and creating green jobs across the country.

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Funding Will Speed Adoption of Efficiency and Renewable Energy Technologies in Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, New York, and the Virgin Islands

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced more than $153 million in Recovery Act funding to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, New York, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Under DOE's State Energy Program, states and territories have proposed statewide plans that prioritize energy savings, create or retain jobs, increase the use of renewable energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This initiative is part of the Obama Administration's national strategy to support job growth, while making a historic down payment on clean energy and conservation.

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Recovery Act funding to expand weatherization assistance programs, create jobs and weatherize more than 125,000 homes in Alabama, Idaho, Maine, Missouri, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced that the Department of Energy is providing more than $448 million in Recovery Act funding to expand weatherization assistance programs in Alabama, Idaho, Maine, Missouri, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These funds, along with additional funds to be disbursed after the states meet certain Recovery Act milestones, will help to weatherize more than 125,000 homes, cutting energy costs for low-income families that need it, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and creating green jobs across the country.

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Funding Will Speed Adoption of Efficiency and Renewable Energy Technologies in Hawaii, Maine, Nebraska, New Mexico, Northern Mariana Islands and Texas

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced more than $141 million in Recovery Act funding to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in Hawaii, Maine, Nebraska, New Mexico, the Northern Mariana Islands and Texas. Under DOE's State Energy Program, states and territories have proposed statewide plans that prioritize energy savings, create or retain jobs, increase the use of renewable energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This program is part of the Obama Administration's national strategy to support job growth, while making a historic down payment on clean energy and conservation.

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Program Benefits Every U.S. State and Territory

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced the availability of nearly $300 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for state-run rebate programs for consumer purchases of new ENERGY STAR® qualified home appliances. The new program underscores the Obama Administration's commitment to make American homes more energy efficient, while helping to support the nation's economic recovery.

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Record of Decision Issued for First US Commercial Scale Carbon Capture and Storage Project

Washington, D.C. - The Department of Energy today issued a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Record of Decision to move forward toward the first commercial scale, fully integrated, carbon capture and sequestration project in the country. The Department's decision is based on careful consideration of the proposed project's potential environmental impacts, as well as the program goals and objectives.

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Projects will enable rapid deployment of community renewable energy systems

WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced plans to provide up to $22 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to support the planning and installation of utility-scale community renewable energy projects in up to four communities nationwide. This funding opportunity directly supports the Obama Administration's goals of developing clean, renewable energy supplies, and creating new jobs and economic opportunities.

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New DOE Study Shows U.S. Leads the World in Wind Energy Capacity

WASHINGTON - U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced the selection of 28 new wind energy projects for up to $13.8 million in funding - including $12.8 million in Recovery Act funds. These projects will help address market and deployment challenges including wind turbine research and testing and transmission analysis, planning, assessments. Along with the new awards, Secretary Chu announced the release of DOE's 2008 Wind Technologies Market Report, detailing $16 billion in investment in wind projects made in the U.S. in 2008 - making the U.S. the leader in annual wind energy capacity growth, as well as cumulative wind energy capacity.

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WASHINGTON, DC— U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today that up to $85 million in funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will be awarded in early 2010 to support at least 50 early career researchers for five years at U.S. academic institutions and DOE national laboratories.

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Funding Will Speed Adoption of Efficiency and Renewable Energy Technologies in Colorado, Delaware, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Puerto Rico

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced more than $162 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in Colorado, Delaware, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Puerto Rico. Under DOE's State Energy Program, states and territories have proposed statewide plans that prioritize energy savings, create or retain jobs, increase the use of renewable energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

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DOE also announces the release of a new smart grid report and the development of a smart grid clearinghouse

Washington, DC - U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced delivery of more than $47 million in funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for eight projects to further smart grid demonstration projects in seven states. Secretary Chu also announced $10.5 million in Recovery Act funding available for local governments to develop emergency preparedness plans for their electrical systems. Together, these efforts will help accelerate the development and implementation of a modernized and secure electrical grid, a critical piece in delivering renewable energy to American consumers and ensuring an effective, reliable and efficient electricity system across the country.

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Recovery Act funding to expand weatherization assistance programs, create jobs and weatherize more than 22,400 homes

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced that the Department of Energy is providing more than $63 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to expand weatherization assistance programs in Indiana and New Mexico. The funding, along with additional funds to be disbursed after the states meet certain Recovery Act milestones, will help these states achieve their goal of weatherizing more than 22,400 homes, lowering energy costs for low-income families that need it, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and creating green jobs across the country.

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Funding Will Speed Adoption of Efficiency and Renewable Energy Technologies in Nevada, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced more than $54 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in Nevada, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Under DOE's State Energy Program, states and territories have proposed statewide plans that prioritize energy savings, create or retain jobs, increase the use of renewable energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

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Department of Energy to Accelerate Cleanup Work While USEC Further Develops ACP Technology

(Washington, D.C.) The Department of Energy announced today that it will further expand and accelerate cleanup efforts of cold-war era contamination at the Portsmouth site in Piketon, Ohio - an investment worth about $150 to $200 million per year for the next four years that is expected to create 800 to 1000 new jobs. At the same time, the Department has encouraged USEC to withdraw its application for loan guarantee funding for the American Centrifuge Plant in Piketon. This would allow USEC to work over the next 12-18 months to continue research, development, and testing to resolve the technology issues facing ACP without hurting the chances of USEC to secure approval for a loan guarantee in the future.

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Washington, D.C. - US Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today the investment of up to $11.8 million - $5 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act - for five projects designed to advance the next stage of development of solar energy grid integration systems (SEGIS). The selections announced today are part of DOE's continuing work to help assure the nation's electrical grid reliability is maintained and improved as solar energy technologies reach cost competitiveness and increased levels of integration with the grid.

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WASHINGTON - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today awarded $1.2 billion to over 400 communities across the nation to rapidly re-house families who fall into homelessness, or prevent them from becoming homeless in the first place. The funding is provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to help persons and families facing a sudden financial crisis that could lead to homelessness. To view the list of grantees receiving funding under this round of grants, visit HUD's Recovery Act website.

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