This issue contains:
*Utah Potash
*Major Oil
*The Mercur District
*Survey News
*Teacher’s Corner
*Energy News: Legislative Directives to the Utah State Energy Program 2009
*Glad You Asked: What are Those Lines on the Mountain? From Bread Lines to Erosion-Control Lines
*GeoSights: Cascade Falls, Kane County
*New Publications
Utah consumers will soon be able to get rebates for replacing energy-hog appliances as part of the federal stimulus program. State energy officials are in the process of hiring a contractor to administer the program, expected to start around mid-February.
In July, Congress announced its $300 million State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program, the equivalent of a “cash for clunky appliances” program. Utah’s share will be $2.6 million and change, paid in the form of rebates for the purchase of new appliances like washers and refrigerators. An energy-efficient washer can save a consumer as much as 40 percent in utility costs, according to Rocky Mountain Power.
IN THE MEDIA
The Salt Lake Tribune
Deseret News
Deseret News
The Utah State Energy Program has awarded a total of $720,000 to several entities to promote energy-related activities.
The grants are from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds.
About $8.5 million dollars are now available to local governments. The money represents a portion of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) American Recovery and Reinvestment Act -Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG), which was allocated in March 2009. The funds were directed to state energy programs, larger cities and counties, and federally recognized tribes.
IN THE MEDIA
The Spectrum
Deseret News
RELATED LINKS
The Utah State Energy Program (USEP) has been allocated almost $9.6 million from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG). Dr. Jerriann Ernstsen, manager of the EECBG program, urges local governments to start planning now to help prevent communities from missing the funding opportunity application period, which will have a very narrow window of time to apply. The project types will focus on energy efficiency retrofits, on-site renewable energy systems, traffic and street lighting, and other related projects.
Related Link
The Utah Geological Survey (UGS) is a division of the Utah Department of Natural Resources. Several specialized programs comprise the UGS: Data Management, Energy & Minerals, Geologic Hazards, Geologic Information & Outreach, Geologic Mapping, Groundwater & Wetlands, and Paleontology.