KGUN9 On Your Side, Tucson News, Weather & SportsRenewable energy grants go to 2 Tucson nonprofits

Renewable energy grants go to 2 Tucson nonprofits

Web producer: Sheryl Kornman

PHOENIX (KGUN9-TV) - Gov. Jan Brewer Monday announced the release of more than a half million dollars to 14 nonprofits in Arizona through the State Energy Program.

More than $637,000 was disbursed to non-profits for renewable energy projects designed to save energy costs.

Two groups in Tucson, the Red Cross of Southern Arizona and the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation, are recipients of the funding. Among the recipients is St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery in Florence. Most are located in Phoenix.

The grantees are:

American Red Cross $50,000 Tucson
BOTHANDS $32,693 Flagstaff
Beatitudes Campus $48,907 Phoenix
Central Arizona Shelter Services $50,000 Phoenix
Challenger Space Center $50,000 Peoria
Chandler Christian Community Center $50,000 Chandler
House of Refuge, Sunnyslope $50,000 Phoenix
Labor's Community Service Agency $50,000 Phoenix
Lowell Observatory $34,924 Flagstaff
National Audubon Society $45,560 Elgin
Society of St. Vincent de Paul $48,533 Phoenix
Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation $26,711 Tucson
St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery $50,000 Florence
Valley Life $50,000 Phoenix
    Total of grants: $637,328

Here is part of Brewer's media release:

PHOENIX – Governor Jan Brewer Monday announced that 14 Arizona non-profit organizations will
receive American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds for renewable energy projects at their
facilities throughout the state.

The funding is part of the $55.4 million awarded to the Arizona Department of
Commerce Energy Office through the State Energy Program (SEP).

"We're moving swiftly to invest Arizona's stimulus dollars into projects that should help boost the State's
economy and provide significant long-term energy savings," said Governor Brewer.

"The impact of these
projects should result in more money applied to critical services rather than the utility bill."

The 14 awards are a result of a competitive grant cycle held by the Arizona Department of Commerce
Energy Office.

Seventy-seven applications were received. The awarded projects total $637,328. Awards were
capped at $50,000 per applicant.

Awards were given for the installation of solar water heating systems, photovoltaic electric systems and solar daylighting systems. Once installed, the systems will reduce the nonprofit entities' operating costs, and will give each organization a chance to use the savings to provide more
services for Arizonans.

The Central Arizona Shelter Services' Vista Colina Emergency Family Shelter in Sunnyslope will
receive solar water heating systems and photovoltaic systems on a 30-unit family shelter apartment complex.

More than 200 families sought shelter in the facility last year. The solar hot water systems will serve the
facilities laundry and the childcare facility. The photovoltaic system will help offset electricity usage throughout
the campus.

The energy dollar savings are estimated at $5,000 per year.

BOTHANDS (Building Opportunity Through Housing and Neighborhood Development Services) in
Flagstaff will install a solar water heating system through the grant program.

The system will be installed at Sharon Manor, a transitional housing facility which provides housing for homeless women and children who are survivors of domestic violence.

The energy dollar savings is estimated at $1,600 a year, representing 26 percent of its utility costs.

To learn more about the programs in the SEP, please visit http://www.azcommerce.com/Energy/SEP.
Governor Brewer's Office of Economic Recovery provides updates on Arizona's ARRA applications and programs at www.azrecovery.gov.