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Governor Schweitzer Announces New Energy Efficiency Upgrade Grants for Montana Schools

Governor Brian Schweitzer today announced $3,432,878 in new energy efficiency grants for projects in17 Montana school districts. The Montana Department of Commerce is providing the competitive grants for Montana schools to perform energy audits and energy efficiency upgrades through the Quick Start program. Quick Start, approved by the 61st Legislature in the Montana Reinvestment Act (HB 645), implements the federal American Recovery Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The program is designed to assist schools with conducting energy audits and completing energy efficiency projects that provide long-term, cost-effective benefits to K-12 school facilities.

"This initiative is a top priority because of the long-term benefits it provides," said Governor Schweitzer. "Quick Start is a real investment in Montana’s schools and Montana students – who are the leaders of tomorrow. Quick Start is helping districts complete much needed energy improvements, which will result in cost savings for years to come. It’s an investment in school infrastructure, which is an investment in our future."

To date, the Montana Department of Commerce has awarded a total of $4,840,405 in Quick Start grants. Of this, $1,407,527 was awarded to school districts for energy audits. The most recent grants of $3,432,878 have been awarded to school districts for energy efficiency projects ranging from lighting and boilers to heating and ventilation system upgrades. These school districts include:

Darby Schools, Darby $21,325

Roundup Public Schools, Roundup $13,711

Poplar School District, Poplar $41,480

East Helena Public Schools, East Helena $71,501

Monforton Schools, Bozeman $132,472

Belgrade School, Belgrade $103,096

Montana City School, Montana City $24,222

Conrad School District, Conrad $165,170

Terry Public Schools, Terry $157,741

Butte Schools, Butte $353,749

Independent Elementary, Billings $67,135

Miles City Unified School, Miles City $492,051

Cascade Public School District, Cascade $369,127

Florence-Carlton School District, Florence $441,378

Polson School District, Polson $458,731

Townsend School District, Townsend $438,993

Dutton/Brady Public Schools, Dutton $80,996

Montana Department of Commerce Director, Anthony Preite, applauds the proactive efforts of Quick Start staff in awarding grants and providing outreach to Montana schools. "The Montana Department of Commerce has hit the ground running with these Reinvestment Act funds," said Preite. "Since Quick Start’s official launch three weeks ago, the program has awarded nearly $5 million in grants to dozens of school districts and provided hours of assistance to districts applying for funds. These are public funds working for the citizens of Montana."

Under the Quick Start program, a school district may apply for grant money through the Montana Department of Commerce to have an energy audit performed. That school district may also use an energy audit previously performed within the last five years. Once the audit is performed, the school district may then apply for grant money through the Montana Department of Commerce to implement one or more of the energy efficiency projects targeted in the energy audit.

In awarding grants to public school districts, the Montana Department of Commerce considers the potential for energy savings in public school facilities based on factors including the age, energy use, function and condition of the building. The Montana Department of Commerce also makes every attempt to accommodate large, small, urban and rural schools. Review of energy audit applications and energy efficiency project applications will continue each week until September 1, 2009.

The Montana Department of Commerce looks forward to providing this valuable service to Montana’s public schools. For more information please contact the Quality Schools Grant Program at 406-841-2800 or visit the website at http://commerce.mt.gov/QuickStart.

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