By Scott Harvey
– All counties in Northeast Texas will soon receive grants to help with energy efficiency and energy conservation projects.
The Texas Comptroller's Office announced Monday a total of about $45 million in federal stimulus funds can be used for projects that include public building, energy retrofits and energy efficient street lighting. More than 200 Texas Counties and its cities are expected to benefit.
Between $20,000 and $150,000 may be allocated to any one city or county if they choose to use it. No bid for the grant is required.
Block grants will be distributed to cities with populations under 35,000 and counties with populations under 200,000, based on 2007 census estimates. There are 1,127 cities and 244 counties in these categories.
A city or county has 45 days to preliminarily accept its allocated money and continue with the application process.
Larger cities (populations over 35,000) and counties (populations over 200,000) are working directly with the U.S. Department of Energy for their block grants.