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9A Page 1 0 Please visit www.federalreoortina.aov for additional information. Saving Energy Equals Saving Money for Local Governments California will receive almost $275 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 funding. These funds will go to the California Energy Commission (CEC) which is offering $36 million for the Energy Efficient and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) Program and up to $95 million in State Energy Program (SEP) funds to help local governments implement energy efficiency measures and photovoltaic systems. To help maximize the funds, another $25 million in SEP stimulus funds are being Incorporated into a statewide program offering low interest loans for public energy efficient or renewable projects. These loans can be coupled with grants and other awards to leverage ARRA dollars. Local Governments Can Win Big with Block Grants With 265 small cities and 44 small counties eligible for direct allocation funding, CEC estimates that local governments that participate in the EECBG Program can save 61.2 million kWh of electricity and reduce C02 emissions by 22,541 tons. This translates to a savings in excess of $9 million per year and creation of over 500 new jobs for communities. The EECBG Program funds can be used to concentrate on cost-effective energy efficient projects including various types of lighting retrofits, building upgrades, mechanical equipment, clean energy systems and various energy management controls. The EECBG funding applications are now available on CEC's Web site at www.enerav.ca.aov/recovervlblockarant.html. Applicants have until the first week of January 2010 to apply for their ARRA funds and will have until approximately September 2012 to complete their projects. Additionally, CEC will host a workshop on Oct. 22 and several regional clinics from Oct. 26 - Nov. 5, to help city officials understand and prepare their application. Applicants can also schedule an hour long appointment for a one-on-one help session with staff. For more information, please visit CEC's Web site at www.enerav.ca.aov/recoverv/blockarant.html. Creating Jobs with Energy Efficiency Retrofits SEP is providing up to $95 million for energy projects focused on residential and commercial building retrofits for energy efficiency measures and installing on-site photovoltaic systems. Local jurisdictions, including non profits and private organizations. can create partnerships and apply for program funding under a competitive solicitation process for three different areas: . The California Comprehensive Residential Building Retrofit Program; . The Municipal and Commercial Building Targeted Measure Retrofit Program; and . The Municipal Financing Program. The SEP Residential Building Retrofit Program allows a range of home and multifamily residential retrofits. The Commercial Building Retrofit Program focuses on specific, highly efficient technologies that are easy to install such as lighting for parking structures, lots or walkways, ventilation and heating and air conditioning. The Municipal Financing Program is aimed at assisting cities, counties and groups of cities and counties in developing or to continue implementing their own financing program (often referred to as AB 811 style programs). This program allows building owners to finance permanent energy efficiency and on-site renewable energy Improvements through an assessment paid with their property tax. CEC staff estimate that retrofitting California's aged and inefficient residential and non-residential structures could save the state's consumers about 164.6 million kWh and 10.5 million therms annually and create over 2,100 jobs. 10