A little more than six weeks remain before the deadline for submission of Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant applications to the Region 8 PDC. Local governments planning to seek funds should have identified a project and be in the process of obtaining cost estimates and technical data. The Regional Council is available to help local governments prepare applications. Please contact Ken Dyche, kdyche@regioneight.org (304)257-1221 or (304)813-7619, immediately if you need assistance.
The WV Division of Energy (DOE) has slightly modified the EE&CBG program to allow it and the regional councils to accelerate the award of grants. This is especially good news to those concerned about potentially losing all of the 2010 construction season. While June 30 remains the deadline for submission of applications, PDCs may submit projects to the WV DOE before that date. DOE has indicated that it will accelerate its review. The Region 8 PDC encourages the early submission of applications to it as this will allow it to accelerate the submission of a project package to WV DOE.
Review by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) remains a critical element in the EE&CBG program. While the PDC will accept an application without SHPO comments if it has been submitted for SHPO review, the PDC cannot forward an application to the WV DOE for funding consideration without favorable SHPO comments. The ability to accelerate grant awards and project construction will make it very difficult, if not impossible, for the PDC to hold its entire project package for one or two projects that lack SHPO comments. Obviously, if you have not requested comments, it is now time to seek SHPO comments. The PDC can assist with obtaining comments.
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