Loudoun's new Energy Strategy was just presented to the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors and includes potential projects that will help Loudoun's government, residents, and businesses to save money on energy bills.

On Tuesday, December 15, 2009, the Board of Supervisors approved the County Energy Strategy on a 5-4 vote. This gives the green light to be eligible to receive $1.9 million from the Department of Energy to implement the Board's approved project list which was also finalized on Tuesday.

In addition to now being able to receive the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant monies, having a completed strategy opens up exciting possibilities for new partnerships. The public turn-out in support of the Strategy was impressive and included several of Loudoun's major corporations. Moorefield Station and Digital Realty Trust Data Centers have said they will both contribute matching funds for the data center project.

Proposed Projects

The Energy Strategy includes potential projects that will help Loudoun's government, residents, and businesses to save money on energy bills. More details about the proposed projects are listed on the Loudoun County Government website.

As reported in the article Split Board Adopts Long-Range Energy Strategy by the Leesburg Today on 12/15, the final list of projects approved by the Board includes:

• "Three-year temporary position to support energy and efficiency programs and provide reporting to the Department of Energy; $196,560; no matching funds; one job created."
  
• "Expansion of the Loudoun County Youth Shelter to implement renewable energy solutions through solar and geothermal; $500,000; no matching funds; 36 jobs created."
  
• "Install solar lights in the parking and charging stations for electric cars at Scott Jenkins Memorial Park near Hamilton; $300,000; no matching funds; four jobs created."
  
• "Conduct education and outreach on efficient building standards and practices with the business community; $100,000; all matching funds to be provided by the Chamber of Commerce and private sector; 2.5 to three jobs created."
  
• "Conduct education and outreach on home efficiency measures for residents and on covenant issues for homeowners' associations; $240,000; 2.5 to three jobs created."
  
• "Develop an integrated Energy Master Plan for mixed-use transit areas with Moorefield Station and Digital Realty Trust data center cluster; $300,000; matching funds provided by the Claude Moore Foundation and Digital Realty Trust; three to six jobs for up to nine months."
  
• "Create building standards and Energy Performance Labeling to promote to key stakeholders in residential and commercial building; $200,000; one to 1.5 jobs created; amendment added to prevent the use of funds to create or support mandates."
  
• "Loudoun County Home Improvement Program for energy efficient renovations; $140,000; at least one job created over life of project."

For more information, please visit Loudoun County's website, or contact Gem Bingol, PEC's Loudoun County Field Officer at 703-431-6941.