Four US states receive $38m in green funding

Chu: Funding

While President Obama struggles to get approval for climate change legislation, the federal government continues to fund energy-efficiency projects using cash from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

In a statement this week, the US Department of Energy (DoE) announced $38m for Alaska, Kansas, Utah and West Virginia to improve energy use, reduce carbon pollution and create local green jobs.

Specifically, the funding will be used for projects such as energy-efficiency audits and retrofits, transportation programmes and installation of renewable energy technologies on municipal buildings.

"This funding will allow states across the country to make major investments in energy solutions that will strengthen America's economy and create jobs at the local level," said Secretary Chu.

"It will also promote some of the cheapest, cleanest and most reliable energy technologies we have - energy efficiency and conservation - which can be deployed immediately. Local communities can now make strategic investments to help meet the nation's long-term clean energy and climate goals."

Although the funding for the states comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, it is being channeled through the DoE's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) programme.

The Recover Act was signed into law by President Obama on 17 February 2009 and is designed to help kick-start the US economy following the impact of the banking and credit crisis.

According to the DoE, energy efficiency is especially important in states such as Alaska, as cold temperatures require high electricity and heating costs.

"[Alaska] has more than 180 villages that are only accessible by water or air and have to operate independent, standalone electric grids," the department states.

The chances of a completely successful deal on global warming at the Copenhagen Talks next month looked less hopeful this week when Democratic leaders in the US Congress ruled out passing a climate change law before the UN conference kicks off in December.

Senate leaders ordered a five-week pause to review the costs of the legislation, according to reports in the Guardian.