Dec. 30, 2005 – Commissioner Dean C. Plaskett of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources announced Discretionary Grant awards to non-profit organizations totaling $80,000. Through this competitive grant process, organizations submitted grant applications for funds to implement energy conservation projects. Fiscal year 2005-second cycle recipients are the St. Croix Landmarks Society, St. Croix Reformed Church, Virgin Islands Public Television Station (WTJX), and the Friedensfeld Moravian Church.
· The St. Croix Landmarks Society – Whim Greathouse in Frederiksted, The Reformed Church in Kingshill, and the Friedensfeld Moravian Church in Estate Mon Bijou were each awarded $20,000 to purchase and install solar outdoor lights at their respective locations. The lighting system, which operates solely from the sun, will provide continuous lights at no operational cost to the grantees.
· WTJX was awarded $20,000 to retrofit its building located in Estate Richmond, Christiansted. WTJX will utilize the funds to install a high efficiency air-conditioning unit.
Next grant application deadline is May 1, 2006. Commissioner Plaskett encourages all non-profit organizations to take advantage of this opportunity to become more energy efficient.