Energy Programs
- Energy Assurance Planning (EAP)
- Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grants
- Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program (Closed)
- Diesel Emissions Reduction
- State Energy Program (SEP)
- State Buildings Energy Conservation (SBEC) Program
- Alternative Energy Revolving Loan (AERL) Program, and
- Recycling Infrastructure Grants
- Alternative Energy Development Grant
- Wood Products & Sawmill Energy Audit RFPA
- USDA FS Lake Como Project
The Energy & Pollution Prevention Bureau within DEQ will administer several avenues of federal Recovery funding, largely through existing programs.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) conditions grants to a state upon certification by the governor that:
The program administering the largest portion of ARRA funds within the bureau is the State Energy Program (SEP). Each state houses a State Energy Program to administer and allocate federal funding, primarily from the Department of Energy. In addition to these energy initiatives, the SEP administers state public benefit funding and manages the emergency energy preparedness program.
Within the SEP, the State Buildings Energy Conservation Program (SBECP) reduces operating costs in state facilities, including Montana Universities and Community Colleges. Energy efficiency projects in state-owned buildings are identified, investigated and funded. The resulting energy savings are captured and used to repay the investment.
Another longstanding program within the SEP is the Alternative Energy Revolving Loan program. This program provides lending opportunities for homeowners, small businesses and non-profits to install alternative energy systems. With ARRA funding, Montana will supplement current state funds for loans over the next two years. This ARRA funding will be paid back to the program over time and loaned out again and again, extending the funding benefits for years beyond the recovery period.
Several other energy and recycling programs within the SEP will also benefit from the Recovery funding, as well as public education and outreach.
Summary of Recovery programs within the bureau.
- the state utility commission will implement polices that ensure the state-regulated electric and gas utilities have appropriate financial incentives to help customers reduce energy use (i.e., "decoupling" of a utility’s revenues from energy consumption); and
- the state, or the applicable unit of local government, will implement energy codes for residential and commercial buildings that meet or exceed certain conservation and efficiency standards. States also are required to prioritize funding to energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, such as building retrofits.
