Colorado will haul in an additional $42 million in federal funding for clean-energy programs statewide, the White House announced Thursday.
The awards virtually ensure thousands of new energy-related jobs, more solar collectors atop buildings and fewer tailpipes spewing black plumes.
The block grants complement $130 million already pledged from the federal stimulus package, and will flow to cities and counties. The state will take about $10 million to provide its own matching grants and marketing support to local government programs, among other uses.
“Tens of thousands of jobs should be created” through the grants, said Tom Plant, director of the Governor’s Energy Office. “Municipalities will be using LED traffic signals, they will be investing in various transit initiatives and cleaning their fleets. A lot of these energy jobs will be associated with construction.”
More than 30 local governments — including two Ute tribes — will share the funds. Denver is to receive the largest amount designated to a local government, $6 million, followed by $3.6 million to Colorado Springs and $2.8 million to Aurora.
Jefferson County and El Paso County are to receive $2.2 million and $1.9 million, respectively.
“Local leaders will have the flexibility in how they put these resources to work — but we will hold them accountable for making the investments quickly and wisely to spur the local economy and cut energy use,” Vice President Joe Biden said in a statement.
Miles Moffeit: 303-954-1415 or mmoffeit@denverpost.com
