Washington – Senator Evan Bayh today announced that Indiana will receive more than $935,000 as part of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) awards made by the Department of Energy.

“This economic recovery funding will create jobs for Hoosiers, lessen our dependence on oil, and take another important step toward building a greener economy in Gary,” Bayh said. “Putting middle-class Hoosiers back to work in jobs that will help us create a more livable planet is a winning formula for our future.”

The city of Gary will receive the funds to help communities improve their energy efficiency, reduce their energy use and fossil fuel emissions, and create green jobs locally. The EECBG Program was funded for the first time by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act supported by Senator Bayh.

Funding for the EECBG Program under the Recovery Act totals $3.2 billion, of which approximately $2.7 billion will be awarded through formula grants to more than 2,300 cities, counties, states, and Indian tribes nationwide.  An additional $400 million will be delivered through competitive grants.

Projects eligible for funds under the program include the development of energy efficiency and conservation strategies, energy efficiency audits and retrofits, transportation programs, the creation of financial incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements, the development and implementation of advanced building codes and inspections, and installation of renewable energy technologies on municipal buildings.

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