The Virgin Islands Energy Office has set Sept. 10 as the deadline for accepting applications from non-profit organizations for grants for energy savings projects. The approved projects will be funded under the VIEO’s Discretionary Grant Program, which in turn is utilizing funds available from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) of 2009. Projects can receive up to $50,000 in funding, but need a match equal to $4,000 from the organization. The Energy Office, a division of Office of the Governor, has already received 17 applications and estimates that there might be funds available for 15 more projects.
Specific projects mentioned in the grant application include building retrofits, solar outdoor lighting and energy education outreach. The program goals are energy saving and job creation — two key things that the territory could use at this time.
All interested persons should make sure that their nonprofits have a Duns number. If the organization does not have one it can be obtained through a link at dnb.com.
The grant application can be downloaded from the Energy Office Web site at www.vienergy.org. For any additional information, call Joseph Daniel at 714-8436 on St. Thomas or Patricia Lord at 713-8436 on St. Croix.