Thursday, July 19, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Announces $4.3 Million to Help Missouri Schools Save Money on Energy
JEFFERSON CITY– Gov. Matt Blunt today announced the approval of more than $4.3 million in low-interest loans to help Missouri schools and communities save money on energy costs. Throughout Missouri, 17 school districts, 11 county and city governments and one university will use the loans to make energy-efficiency improvements to save nearly $450,000 annually on their energy costs. The loans were approved by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) through the Energy Loan Program.
"The Energy Loan Program is a winning partnership between Missouri and our schools, because we are investing in energy efficiency and reinvesting the savings in our students and communities," Blunt said. "With the long term energy savings these loans will pay for themselves, making it possible for school districts, cities and counties to save taxpayer's money, improve classroom conditions for students, and redirect the savings toward the priority needs of each district and local government."
Energy efficiency plays a vital role in environmental quality, reducing environmental impacts on Missouri's air and water by displacing fossil fuel generation. Nearly 94 percent of Missouri's primary energy sources are imported from outside the state at a cost of more than $14 billion each year. Energy efficiency benefits Missouri's economy by reducing the rate at which dollars leave the state for the purchase of fossil fuels.
DNR's Energy Center has loaned more than $80 million throughout Missouri since 1989. Eligible loan applicants are schools, local governments, colleges and universities. The cumulative energy savings resulting from more than 440 energy loan-financed projects are estimated at more than $105 million.
The following school districts, communities and universities received loans:
- Southwest Missouri - 14 school districts and cities in southwest Missouri will receive loans for efficiency projects totaling more than $1.7 million. These include loans of more than $350,000 to school districts at Salem and Licking for improvements including energy-efficient lighting, windows and a ground source heat pump. The Republic School District will receive more than $265,000 for lighting upgrades. The City of Rolla will use a $26,000 loan to install highly efficient LED traffic signal lights. Other recipients in the region include Douglas and Phelps counties, the city of Osceola, and the school districts at Cole Camp, Greenfield, Hollister, Osceola, Phelps County, Raymondville, Success and Willow Springs. As a result of their improvements, loan recipients in the region will save an estimated $1.8 million annually on their energy costs.
- Southeast Missouri - Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) at Cape Girardeau received a more than $640,000 loan for energy efficiency projects at its regional campuses at Perryville and Sikeston. SEMO's campus at Sikeston will receive an HVAC upgrade with energy recovery ventilation systems, while a new boiler will be installed for the Perryville Higher Education Center. The improvements are expected to cut the university's energy costs by more than $55,000 annually.
- Kansas City, northwest and north central Missouri - the Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department received a nearly $780,000 loan for energy-saving HVAC and lighting projects at facilities including an ice arena, a community center and an administration building. School districts at Cainsville, Miami, Montrose and Smithton will use loans to save energy costs with projects replacing inefficient lights, thermostats, boiler and pipe insulation, ball field lighting, and a school furnace. More efficient lighting and HVAC controls will improve comfort and reduce utility costs at Clinton and Harrison county courthouses. Rock Port Municipal Utilities will help keep costs down for its customers with a new transformer. More than $1.4 million in loans throughout the region will save public facilities more than $140,000 in annual energy costs.
- St. Louis area and northeast Missouri - the Bayless School District received a loan for more than $280,000 to make HVAC upgrades at Bayless High School and save more than $24,000 on yearly energy bills. The Ste. Genevieve County Community Center will use loan proceeds for more than $18,000 in improved lighting efficiency. The Gasconade County Health Department will make facility improvements including insulation, thermostats lighting and HVAC. A loan of nearly $55,000 to the Madison School District for improved lighting and more than $16,000 to The Scotland County library for attic insulation are expected to save those facilities more than a combined $8,500 each year.
A full listing of the loan recipients, loan amounts, expected savings, and efficiency improvements being financed is available on the Energy Center Web page at http://www.dnr.mo.gov/energy/financial/loan.htm.
For more information, contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Energy Center at (573) 751-3443 or the department toll free at (800) 361-4827.