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County Not Populated Enough For Federal Energy Grant

By TONY HOLT

Hernando Today

Published: March 26, 2009

WASHINGTON D.C. - Hernando County has grown during the past 10 years, but not enough to earn any federal grant money for energy efficiency — at least not directly.
The U.S. Department of Energy announced Thursday it was doling out more than $168 million for local energy improvements in Florida.
Counties such as Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco received some of the grant money because their population numbers are well above 200,000.
Hernando County has about 170,000 people.
"Generally, the funds are to assist state, local, territorial and tribal governments in implementing strategies to reduce fossil fuel emissions, decrease total energy use and improve energy efficiency," said Stephanie Mueller, a spokeswoman with the U.S. Department of Energy.
Counties that do not meet the eligibility requirements for direct formula grants are still eligible to receive funds through the state.
County Commissioner Rose Rocco said she was "disappointed" Hernando County would not be receiving any funds directly from the federal government.
If the county continues to lean more toward energy efficiency and environmentally friendly endeavors, Rocco said, lawmakers in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C., eventually will take notice.
"I'd like to be as proactive as possible to get some of this grant money for the county," she said. "Let's go out and see what we can do.
"These dollars are too important to pass up as they may be very beneficial to our taxpayers in the way of cost savings and environmental protection."
Overall, the U.S. government is investing $3.2 billion in energy efficiency and conservation projects throughout the country.
The block grant program is being funded by President Obama's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
The funding will be used to support energy audits and energy efficiency "retrofits" in residential and commercial buildings, the development of advanced building codes and inspections and the creation of financial incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
For a city to be eligible for a direct grant, it must have a population of at least 35,000.
Brooksville's population is less than one quarter of that amount.