Florida Saves Energy, Creates Jobs with Stimulus
Jacksonville, Fl.– In July, Florida’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS), led by Commissioner Adam Putnam, issued an audit of energy initiatives across the state, including those funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), or Stimulus Act.
The audit conclusively found that: “the State of Florida has benefited from the investment of ARRA funds…state agencies, local governments, profit and non-profit organizations, indicate that the rebates and grants awarded have led to emission reductions, energy savings, energy-cost savings and job creation and retention.”
The audit confirmed that 98.6% of the $175.86 million in Stimulus funding in Florida was invested in projects that were or are currently in the process of being successfully implemented. Despite this extraordinary level of success, news networks and special interest groups put focus instead on the less than 2% of projects that were terminated.
“The fact is, clean energy spending in the Stimulus has been successful,” said Stephen A. Smith, executive director of Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. “Recipients have already reported progress in energy savings by investing Stimulus funds in building retrofits, equipment upgrades and more efficient lighting. These investments are not only saving Floridians money and benefiting the State’s economy, but they’re also helping to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and electric and natural gas consumption.”
The full implications of these projects will be realized in the years to come, but immediate impacts can already be seen in the economy.
For specific information about successful initiatives supported by ARRA funding in Florida, visit our blog and read several examples of the energy savings and economic growth that were accomplished over the last few years. # # # Southern Alliance for Clean Energy is a not-for-profit, non-partisan organization working to promote responsible energy choices that solve global warming problems and ensure clean, safe, healthy communities throughout the Southeast. WIth more at www.cleanenergy.org