Oakland Goes 5 for 5 on State Energy Stimulus Grants

News from

Office of the Mayor

Press Release
February 17, 2010

OAKLAND - Mayor Ron Dellums announced today that the City of Oakland was part of five successful State Energy Program stimulus grant applications totaling over $40 million, awarded by the California Energy Commission (CEC). These funds will create and/or retain more than 4,000 jobs statewide.

One hundred and five grant applications were submitted to the CEC for $110 million in available funding. Of the 12 grants awarded statewide, Oakland is a partner in five of them - totaling more than $40 million.

“This effort brought together government agencies and businesses forming a powerful partnership to tackle energy efficiency and climate change,” said Mayor Dellums. “The successful selection of these grant applications is a testament to the creativity, determination and dedication of this collaboration that aimed to solve global problems and provide local jobs simultaneously. I would like to thank all of our partners, including: ABAG, Alameda County, StopWaste.Org, San Francisco Mayor’s Office, and the firms QuEST, KEMA, and Energy Solutions.”

“I am delighted - this funding will help Oakland’s businesses and residents to implement energy efficiency and solar retrofits. We are priming the local economy by training and hiring locally as we transition to a green economy based on energy efficiency and solar power. These grants are the building blocks for a more sustainable and economically successful City,” said Council President Jane Brunner.

An award of $4.8 million for commercial building retrofits made to QuEST and its partner KEMA funds the installation of emerging lighting technology and energy efficiency incentives for downtown Oakland commercial buildings. Improving energy efficiency in downtown office buildings, mainly Class B, will help reduce energy costs, improve their economic position and make the office space more attractive to tenants.

CaliforniaFIRST property-based energy efficiency financing, including setup administration costs, interest rate buy-down, contractor training, and marketing will be funded for $26 million. While the residents and business statewide will benefit, many of the companies delivering the services – like Renewable Funding and BKI – are located in Oakland and will help spur the growth of green businesses in Oakland.

Other grants Oakland was a partner on are affordable housing energy retrofits with San Francisco Mayor’s Office for $2.9 million and Energy Solutions technical assistance for municipalities for $5.9 where the city can receive support in green up its buildings.

“All of this funding for energy efficiency work over the next three years is a game changer,” said Susan Kattchee, Oakland’s Environmental Services Manager. “The projects being funded advance our Sustainable Oakland goals – improving the environment, creating jobs, and supporting and growing green technology businesses.”

For more information please see the City of Oakland’s stimulus website: www.OaklandStimulus.com and the attached documents outlining each grant.

Attached:

Overview of Energy Program;
“Utilizing Recover Act Funds for Sustainable Jobs, Environment and Community Infrastructure”;
“Oakland Residential Energy Efficiency Support: Weatherization for All”

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For more information on Mayor Ron Dellums and the City of Oakland, please visit and bookmark the following Web accounts:

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