State is one of only 3 to receive federal grant that aims to help local economies; spur jobs
Contact: Sherrie Gruder, UW-Extension Sustainable Design Specialist, 262-0398, gruder@engr.wisc.edu
Megan Levy, Community Relations Specialist, State Energy Office, (608) 266-5054, Megan.Levy@wisconsin.gov
Madison, Wis.–Wisconsin was one of only three states recently awarded a State Energy Extension Partnership (SEEP) grant by the US Department of Energy. The $240,000 grant (spent over the next two years) will formalize the collaboration between Wisconsin’s State Energy Office and Cooperative Extension, a division of the University of Wisconsin-Extension, to engage the public, businesses, farms, tribes and youth in additional energy efficiency, renewable energy and bio-energy education and projects.
The SEEP program will help local governments and communities, including those who have participated in the Energy Independent Communities program, carry out their plans to reduce energy use and produce energy locally. Providing educational events for local community leaders will help them advance renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives in buildings, fleets and infrastructure. This grant will facilitate the expansion of the technical assistance, education and networking of the EI Communities program to other communities, tribes and school districts. “Addressing energy use and sources helps local governments, businesses and the public to save money while safeguarding our environment and diversifying our energy supply,” said Kevin Vesperman, Division Administrator for the State Energy Office. “We welcome the opportunity to partner with the University of Wisconsin Extension in this important effort.”
SEEP also includes a bioenergy component, tapping into Wisconsin’s agricultural and manufacturing resources to support the growing bio-economy. “UW-Extension is well-positioned in every Wisconsin county to reach community members with effective energy education outreach, bringing the expertise of the University to promote practical solutions,” said Cooperative Extension Dean Richard M. Klemme. “We are pleased to continue to work with the State Energy office to help create transformational change to an energy-efficient economy in Wisconsin.”
To learn more about the work of Cooperative Extension, which is celebrating 100 years of working for Wisconsin in 2012, go to http://www.uwex.edu/shwec. For more information on the State Energy Office, visit http://www.energyindependence.wi.gov/
###