State Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) announced Monday (January 25th) by Governor Jennifer Granholm will bring some significant improvements in Three Rivers, Sturgis and at the St. Joseph County jail in Centreville.

As noted by the governor, the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth (DELEG) has awarded $17.4 million in grants to 125 cities, villages, townships, and counties throughout Michigan to support local energy projects.  The grants are funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act).

Marcia Saunders, Grant Writer/Project Manager, St. Joseph County EDC

According to Marcia Saunders, grant writer/project manager with the St. Joseph County Economic Development Corporation, the grant to the City of Three Rivers – in the amount of $56,660 – will be used for lighting improvements at City Hall, Library and Commission on Aging (COA) and for ‘building envelope’ improvements at the Library and COA.

The grant awarded to the City of Sturgis – for $67,892 – is part of a large “performance contract” with Honeywell that includes a variety of improvements involving the City Hall/Library, Civic Center/Auditorium, Diesel Plant, Doyle Community Center, Police/Fire Department, Wastewater Treatment Plant, West Street/Administrative Offices, and city-wide improvements.

The “Kilowatts for Cops” grant to St. Joseph County – in the amount of $267,153 – will facilitate improvements at the county jail.  Included are a solar photovoltaic system for electricity, solar thermal hot water system, industrial grade washers and dryers, and an energy audit.  The grant to the county also includes an energy audit at Rawson’s King Mill Park and passive solar showers at Cade Lake Campground.

In commenting on the “Kilowatts for Cops” grant, Saunders said, “The Sheriff and his team are very progressive and have great ideas.  They were wonderful to work with.  He might just have the first jail in the State with solar systems!”

For additional insights into what’s planned in the way of improvements, click here for a document that provides a few excerpts from the grant applications with savings estimates for each project.  Saunders said, “The Sheriff’s project really has some potential to save money.”

Saunders said the overall goal of the programs is “to increase energy efficiency, reduce energy costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to create jobs.  With our programs the jobs are associated with the contractors and consultants providing the work.”