Cape Girardeau County, Jackson among local governments receiving $11.3 million in energy-efficiency improvements

Cape Girardeau County and Jackson are among 58 communities and counties in the state awarded grants for energy efficiency projects.

Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the grants will help pay for projects intended to assist in reducing energy use, cutting down on fossil fuel emissions and creating and retaining jobs, according to a news release today from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Approximately $11.3 million was awarded in grants through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Energize Missouri Communities, including $847,452 for five communities and counties in Southeast Missouri.

Jackson received the most of the five communities and counties in Southeast Missouri, with $466,275 to use for equipment upgrades at the city's Wastewater Treatment Facility. Those upgrades include electric motor controls, blowers and process control equipment at the facility located at 508 Eastview Court.

"With energy rates continuing to rise, anytime you receive money from another source to help pay for something that will make things more efficient, that's a good thing," city engineer Kent Peetz said.

The city is also the recipient of some of the $318,724 that Cape Girardeau County will receive for replacement of 7,500 light fixtures with high efficiency lighting at 111 school and municipal office buildings. The county and Southeast Missouri Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission will distribute the money to cities including Cape Girardeau and Jackson and school districts in Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Leopold, Meadow Heights, Nell Holcomb and Oak Ridge.

Like Cape Girardeau County, Perry County was awarded money to install more energy-efficient lighting. About $30,000 will replace exterior lighting at the county's sheriff office.

Officials believe the fixtures could save as much as 50 percent on energy costs.

Further south, Butler County was awarded $22,745 for installing sensors and replacing lights at Poplar Bluff R-1 School District Junior High School while the city of Parma learned it will receive $9,608 for retrofitting the HVAC system at its community center.

All work on Energize Missouri Communities projects must be complete by August 2012.

bblackwell@semissourian.com

243-6635

Pertinent addresses:

1 Barton Square, Jackson, MO

101 Court St., Jackson, MO

508 Eastview Court, Jackson, MO