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More than $2.1 Million in Recovery Act Funding Awarded to Thurston Regional Planning Council to Expand Local Energy Efficiency Efforts
Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) was awarded over 2.1 million dollars from the U.S. Department of Energy to implement a three-year program to reduce transportation-related fossil fuel consumption and its associated greenhouse gas emissions.
“TRPC is excited about this opportunity. We are very fortunate that our elected officials recognize the value of working together to benefit the region. This project will have many direct benefits to our residents, allowing us to expand on proven programs to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels,” says Lon Wyrick, Executive Director of Thurston Regional Planning Council.
Five major project components:
- A school program that encourages children to walk, bicycle, or take the school bus to school, creating life-long healthy habits and reducing the concentration of vehicle emissions at school sites.
- Strategies for Trip Reduction will be available to a broad area of employment and residential concentrations.
- Barriers to Telework and Compressed Work Weeks will be addressed at worksites and in small communities.
- A Trip Reduction Tools Website will provide one-stop public access to bike/walking maps and ride sharing or vanpool information.
- Infill and Redevelopment strategies will strengthen key transit corridors and activity centers.
TRPC applied for the grant representing a consortium of eligible local governments: City of Tumwater, City of Yelm, City of Tenino, City of Rainier, and Town of Bucoda. This funding was only open to local communities that were not eligible to receive the first round of population-based formula grants under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program.
TRPC is one of only 20 entities nationwide selected for more than $60 million in funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to implement local energy efficiency and renewable energy programs that will reduce energy use by American homes, vehicles, and businesses.
For further information, contact Lon D. Wyrick, Executive Director, Thurston Regional Planning Council, (360) 956-7575.
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