STATEHOUSE (March 15, 2010) - State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) said the Indiana Office of Energy Development is offering new grants to help Hoosier businesses upgrade to cleaner, cheaper and more reliable energy technologies.

“Beginning this month, businesses with less than 150 employees can apply for a grant to receive a portion of $4.5 million dollars currently available with the new Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program,” Leising said.

As part of the energy efficiency initiative under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stimulus package, the grant will also be available for nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions and health care facilities. Additionally, proposed projects must be located in Indiana.

Leising said to receive a grant, businesses and agencies must demonstrate commitment to reducing fossil fuel emissions, minimizing energy consumption and creating a long-term and sustainable plan for improving energy efficiency. For example, businesses can receive the grant for installing drains and ducts to improve weatherization or increasing transportation efficiency.

“Small businesses and other organizations in Indiana could benefit from these grants in many ways,” Leising said. “Not only will this enable them to map out long-term plans for better energy efficiency, the grant program could create new jobs in clean energy.”

According to the Indiana Office of Energy Development, representatives will evaluate each proposal for its environmental benefit, the jobs it creates or retains and the money it saves on energy. In addition, the program will provide grants up to $100,000 for energy projects as long as the organization can match the amount by 50 percent.

Applications will be available on March 15, 2010 at http://www.in.gov/oed/2585.htm. Businesses must apply by April 30, 2010.

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