VB to receive millions in energy funds

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Energy funds are coming to the City of Virginia Beach. The city will receive $4,042,000 million in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) awards from the Department of Energy, part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

"These funds will help us increase energy efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and create green jobs in Virginia Beach," said Mayor William D. Sessoms, Jr. "Because the city budget is the tightest it has been in years, we are especially grateful to our federal delegation for helping us secure these much-needed funds."

EECBG project funds will go to the city's goal to reduce energy use, expand energy education, promote renewable energy production, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Studies will be conducted, exploring the posibility of bringing a composting facility to the city, another will review the need and requirements for vehicles fueled by natural gas, and another will be part of a regional Greenhouse Gas Emission Assessment.

In an effort to reduce the city's carbon footprint and provide projects in the local economy for green jobs, the city will be performing lighting and HVAC upgrades to 11 city buildings.

Funding will also help the city upgrade 32 city vehicles to hybrid vehicles.

Data Center Energy Reducing Upgrades funding will also help the city implement technology upgrades to effect a 75 percent reduction in energy use related to the data center’s energy consumption.