April 26, 2007 — The deadline for V.I. Energy Office grants to nonprofit and government agencies is approaching, according to a release from the Department of Planning and Natural Resources.
Grant money is available in four areas: mini-grants for classroom projects, energy research and education grants, solar outdoor lighting grants, and building retrofit grants.
Applications are due by May 1, 2007. Grant applications can be downloaded from the Energy Office website.
The Energy Office encourages school administrators, teachers, community and youth organization leaders, and agency heads to submit an application for consideration. The grants are generally awarded twice a year. The Energy Office's Discretionary Grant Program is funded through Stripper Well Restitution funds and is competitive.
According to the release, the office wants to promote those projects that can best serve the territory through the advocacy of energy efficiency/renewable energy.
Applications must demonstrate that a preponderance of the project and grant funding relate directly to those areas. Major grants are funded up to $20,000 from the Energy Office with a required 20 percent match from the recipient.
The office will review applications, conduct site visits and choose final applicants. The maximum for the Energy Education Mini-Grant Program is $1,500. Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
–Replicability
–Fits the EE Objectives/Definition
–Energy Savings
–Innovation
–Community Benefit/Collaboration
For more information, contact the V.I. Energy Office at 773-1082 on St. Croix, and 774-3320 on St. Thomas.