HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2009-11 participate in 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program
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REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
Aoorooriation
Source of Funds: N/A
Requested By: Tim Tietiens
Account Number: N/A
Department: Planninl!
Amount Budgeted: N/A
Report: _Resolution: ..x...Ordinance:_
Amount Requested: N/A
Exhibits:
Resolution
Letter from TX Comptroller of Public Accounts
Budgeted Item: _YES ~O
SUMMARY
The 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act included funding for the Energy Efficiency and
Conservation Block Grant Program. The City of La Porte has been allocated $75,000 to develop and
implement projects to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy use and fossil fuel emission within
the community.
Action Required bv Council:
Co ider approval of a Resolution to participate in the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's
er Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program.
Ron Bottoms, City Manager
1\ /)1 ~9
Date
RESOLUTION 09- I I
A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE INTENT OF CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA
PORTE, TEXAS, TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 2009 AMERICAN RECOVERY AND
REINVESTMENT ACT (ARRA), FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENHANCING ENERGY
EFFICIENCY OF LOCAL FACILITIES.
WHEREAS, Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009
and the President signed into law on February 17, 2009, to stimulate the economy and create
jobs; and,
WHEREAS, ARRA included $3.2 billion in funding for the Energy Efficiency and
Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program authorized in Title V, Subtitle E of the Energy
Independence and Security Act (EISA) and signed into law on December 19,2007; and,
WHEREAS, the purpose of the EECBG program is to, 1) reduce fossil fuel emissions in a
manner that is environmentally sustainable, and to the maximum extent practicable, maximize
benefits for local and regional communities; 2) reduce the total energy use of eligible entities;
and, 3) improve the energy efficiency in the building sector, the transportation sector and other
appropriate sectors; and,
WHEREAS, the City of La Porte has limited financial resources and desires to support the
development of energy efficiency programs; and,
WHEREAS, the City of La Porte accepts its allocation and may also accept additional funds that
may become available at a later date; and,
WHEREAS, the City of La Porte has developed or is interested in developing a EECBG project,
which is sustainable and has measurable energy savings, job creation and economic stimulus
effects into the city and,
WHEREAS, the City of La Porte is determined to support energy efficiency projects that
leverage federal funds with other public and private resources, including coordinated efforts
involving other Federal programs targeting community development; and,
WHEREAS, the City of La Porte intends to comply with all agreed upon contractual
requirements of ARRA, the EECBG program and other federal and state law:
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, THAT
1. The City of La Porte, through the City Manager, pursues all EECBG funding made
available through ARRA and being allocated by the State Energy Conservation Office to
be used to assist in reaching the city's goals of energy efficiency.
2. The City of La Porte continues its commitment toward energy efficiency for the citizens
of La Porte and all of Texas.
PASSED AND APPROVED this the ~ day of October, 2009.
CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS
~:J?*
Barry )*'asley, or
ATTEST:
APPROVED:
U4?Ak T~
Clark T. Askins, Assistant City Attorney
s USA N
TEXAS COMPTROLLER Of PUBLIC ACCOUNTS
COM B S
P.O. Box 13528 . AUSTIN, TX 78711-3528
September 22, 2009
~~.~Cc.~ F~';
The Honorable Alton E. Porter
Mayor
City of La Porte
604 W. Fairmont Parkway
La Porte, Texas 77571-6215
SEP 3 0 2009
CITY SECRETAfh"S
OFFice
Dear Mayor Porter:
I am pleased to inform you that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) is
providing more than $45 million to the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO), a part of
the Comptroller's office, for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG)
program. This money will be available to small cities and counties that did not receive a direct
allocation from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under this program.
In an effort to ensure that the 1,127 cities and 244 counties in Texas that are not receiving
direct dollars from DOE are able to benefit from this funding, the money will be redistributed
based on a population formula. As a result, it is currently anticipated that your city/county
may be eligible for $75,000.
The EECBG program, authorized in Title V, Subtitle E of the Energy Independence and
Security Act of 2007 and signed into Public Law (PL 110-140) on Dec. 19,2007, will be
funded for the first time urider ARRA. The purpose of the program is to provide funds to units
of local and state government, Indian tribes and territories to develop and implement projects
to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions in their
communities. At the federal level, the program is administered by the Office of
Weatherization and Intergovernmental Programs in the Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy of DOE.
A comprehensive list of the 1,127 cities and 244 counties that are eligible for these funds can
be found on our Web site at www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/arraleecbg/index.php. In the event that
there are eligible communities that chose not to accept the funds, we will reallocate those
dollars to the participating cities and counties. Your final potential grant will be outlined in a
letter that will arrive when the application is sent to you.
WWW.WINDOW.STATE.TX.US
512-463-4000' TOLL FREE; 1-800-531-5441 . FAX; 512-463-4965