Smart Grid: Arizona Stimulus Toolkit - Smart Grid News - Grid Modernization and the Smart Grid

· The U.S. Department of Energy has allocated $55,447,000 to Arizona for energy-related projects. As the state energy office, Arizona Department of Commerce Energy Office will administer the funds. The program’s goals are to reduce energy costs and consumption for consumers, businesses and government, reduce reliance on imported energy, improve the reliability of electricity and the fuel supply and reduce the environmental impact of the production and use of energy:

·            Distributed Energy Leadership Program: Allocates $10 million of ARRA funds to increase or match incentives provided by the state’s public utilities for distributed energy projects including solar water heating, solar PV, wind, and combined heat and power projects. These funds would benefit homeowners, small or big businesses, and governmental entities.

·            Revolving Energy Loan Program: Allocates $2 million to establish a Revolving Energy Loan Program to provide a sustainable source of financing for cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in Arizona for commercial businesses and loans for manufacturers of energy efficiency and renewable energy products to expand their manufacturing facilities.

·            Agricultural Renewable Energy Conservation Incentive Program: Allocates $1.5 million of ARRA funds for a competitive matching grant program that would be administered through the State Land Department (Natural Resource Conservation Districts State Association) to fund renewable energy projects to reduce fossil fuel consumption for Arizona farmers and ranchers.

·            21st Century Energy Grant Program: Allocates $11,947,000 to the State Energy Office to establish a 21st Century Energy Grant Fund Program. The program would fund studies to develop new, significant solar, wind or other renewable energy generation systems on public lands and to fund demonstrations of renewable energy systems on public buildings and public spaces and a biofuels infrastructure grant program. The renewable grant program will also be open to non-profit organizations to install solar water heating or photovoltaic systems on their buildings. Also included will be a grant to demonstrate the use of renewable energy products manufactured in Arizona. As part of the 21st Century Energy Grant Program, the State Energy Office will identify several shovel ready solar installations on public buildings or public spaces that could be initiated quickly and provide for immediate job creation.

Contact:

Olivia Doherty

phone: 602-771-1167

www.azcommerce.com

Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant

State allocation: $9,593,500

· The program provides local governments, Indian tribes, and other entities with funding to implement energy efficiency projects designed to reduce energy usage. Eligible projects include renewable energy installations on public buildings, improved traffic signals and street lighting, and other public improvement projects. The state’s application for the funds has been extended to June 25, 2009. An evaluation committee will be formed to review all applications received.

Contact:

Olivia Doherty

phone: 602-771-1167

www.azcommerce.com

UTILITIES

Regulatory Authority:

Arizona Corporation Commission

Private companies

Arizona Public Service Co

Morenci Water & Electric Co

Tucson Electric Power Co

UNS Electric Inc

The Arizona Corporation Commission does not

have ratemaking authority over the following

covered electric utilities:

Cooperatives

Mohave Electric Coop Inc

Sulphur Springs Valley EC Inc

Trico Electric Coop

State:

Navajo Tribal Utility Auth

Political Subdivisions:

Salt River Project

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