Letter from Kathleen Hogan to SEP and EECBG Grantees
September 29, 2010
Dear State Energy Program and Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant Grantees:
I am writing to reiterate the commitment of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to support the deployment of renewable fuels, and announce an opportunity for state, local, and tribal grantees under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act).
The Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 requires 36 billion gallons per year of renewable fuel by 2022. To help meet this requirement, U.S. based auto manufacturers have committed to making flex-fuel vehicles half of their total production by 2012. With over 7 million flex-fuel vehicles already on the road and millions more being produced every year, the market for renewable fuels will continue to grow. Therefore, there is a need to increase the number of compatible fueling dispensers in order to meet our nation's energy goals, particularly in renewable fuel producing regions of the nation in the near term.
With this is mind, DOE is encouraging grantees to consider allocating or increasing funding to renewable fuel infrastructure programs in those regions of the country most conducive to and in need of increased infrastructure investments. Through consultation with other Federal agencies and key stakeholder groups, DOE has developed a program overview document to help grantees identify local industry characteristics and partners that will be critical to successful deployment. Additionally, DOE will work with U.S. Department of Agriculture field offices, and national and regional stakeholders to provide the necessary technical assistance to ensure programs can be designed and implemented expeditiously and successfully.
Obligations and DOE payments to grantees remain a key measure to evaluate Recovery Act performance; however, if funds have not been obligated by grantees and are available, targeted investments to improve renewable fuel infrastructure are a valuable use of Recovery Act funds for meeting the strategic energy goals of the nation.
More information about renewable fuel infrastructure investment opportunities can be found at the following link:
Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Investment Program Overview
Additionally, DOE will be hosting a webinar in the near future to provide examples of successful programs and answer specific questions.
We look forward to working with those grantees pursuing renewable fuel infrastructure investment programs and all of our stakeholders to achieve the goals of the Recovery Act.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Hogan
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
U.S. Department of Energy
PDF Formatted version of signed letter