ARC Announces Grant Competition for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency April 2007

WASHINGTON, April 9, 2007—The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) announced a grant competition this week to assist Appalachian communities in leveraging renewable-energy and energy-efficiency resources to revitalize their economies. ARC expects to provide eight to ten awards of up to $75,000 each, for a total of $400,000 in awards, to help communities implement these strategies.

Eligible projects should result in the creation of new jobs or businesses in the targeted communities. Outcomes could include:

• Production and use of renewable-energy products (such as biofuels, biomass, solar, or wind energy), including siting of these facilities and net metering applications.
• Distribution of renewable-energy products, including customer purchasing commitments.
• Expansion or start-up of "clean energy" businesses, including support for business incubation programs and targeted business-financing programs.
• New construction or facilities renovations that follow "green building" and LEED certification guidelines.
• Installation of energy-efficiency equipment in public or nonprofit facilities that is eligible for tax credits under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, directly results in cost savings, and leads to increased delivery of services to local communities.

This grant program will not provide support for projects that propose to study or plan for future activities. Energy audits will not be supported unless they include implementation of energy-efficiency programs.

Nonprofit organizations, governmental entities, and public educational institutions located within the Appalachian Region are eligible to apply. Private, for-profit organizations are not eligible to apply.

An independent review panel will be convened to evaluate submissions. This panel will include leading energy-efficiency and renewable-energy organizations and federal, state, and local partners. The review panel will forward recommendations to ARC for final approval.

Applications will be evaluated on several criteria, including:

• Feasibility of the proposal and the likelihood of achieving proposed outcomes.
• Capability of applicant, including expertise in relevant program areas, grants management, and community development.
• Level of community support, including overall level of match and private-sector match.
• Articulation of clear, measurable outcomes.
• Sustainability of effort, including ability to continue the activity at the conclusion of the grant period.
• Additional consideration will be provided for projects focusing on ARC-designated distressed counties and areas and for projects involving multi-state collaboration.

The deadline for submission of proposals is June 30, 2007. Selections will be announced on July 31, 2007.

The Appalachian Regional Commission will also hold regional workshops on energy efficiency and renewable energy. Information on dates and locations of these workshops will be available on the ARC Web site.