Obama Official Unveils Energy Efficiency Grant

(Excerpt from an original article by Daniel Person: Chronicle Staff Writer)

The State of Montana has received more than $20 million in stimulus money from the U.S. Department of Energy. About $9.5 million of the $21.5 million appropriation will go out to communities in Montana in the form of block grants to help local governments improve energy efficiency. The remainder of the money will be used by the State of Montana to improve energy efficiency in state buildings and transportation and make recycling easier in the state.

Cathy Zoi, assistant secretary for energy efficiency and renewably energy for the Department of Energy, announced the stimulus appropriation after touring the Montana Weatherization Training Center in Bozeman with Gov. Brian Schweitzer, Department of Environmental Quality Director Richard Opper, and dozens of Montana Conservation Corps volunteers training to help weatherize homes for the poor and elderly.

No, this isn't another Microsoft commercial... But it is a rather flattering group photo of some recent graduates of EPA lead classes held at the Weatherization Training Center. These weatherization professionals have joined the ranks of other EPA Certified Lead Renovators across throughout the country preparing for the new Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule (RRP) which comes into effect April 22, 2010. If your interested in signing up for an RRP class, check out available dates here: RRP Class Schedules. Or view all of the courses we offer by visiting our Training Calendar page.