Federal stimulus money for energy projects flows into Georgia

Georgia will receive $32.9 million in federal stimulus money to boost the State Energy Program, the U.S. Department of Energy said Monday morning.

The state has now received half of the $82.5 million in stimulus-backed money for its energy program. The remaining amount will come after Georgia meets stringent requirements to track every dollar spent and every job created with the help of the new funds.

The money is only a sliver of the total $3.1 billion the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is setting aside for state energy programs. Developing renewable energy projects — solar, wind, biomass — in efforts to curb greenhouse gases and to make the United States less dependent on foreign oil is a top priority of the Obama Administration.

The state said it will use the money to start a $65 million program to help make state government buildings more energy efficient. The money help pay for the difference between installing standard and energy-efficient technologies, which typically are more expensive on the outset.

Energy-efficient buildings, however — which have fluorescent lighting, recycled carpet and better-sealed air ducts — eventually save money over time, the U.S. DOE argues.

All told, the state expects to receive $367.5 million in federal stimulus money for energy and environmental projects, according to information provided earlier by the governor’s office. The money is the fourth-largest amount of stimulus funds flowing into the state.