Wauwatosa to use stimulus funds for energy efficiency

Wauwatosa will receive $220,000 in economic stimulus funds to assist with energy efficiency efforts.

Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wisconsin, yesterday announced more than $38.5 million in funding for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program to implement projects that would reduce fossil fuel emissions, lower energy use, and increase sustainability.

The funds are meant to create local construction, installation and materials handling jobs over the next year while generating energy savings and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

City Administrator James Archambo was not immediately available to comment on how the funds will be used in Wauwatosa, but during a town hall meeting March 24 he mentioned the possibility of getting stimulus dollars to pay for energy-efficient design aspects such as a green roof and solar roof panels on the new fire station. Construction is slated to begin on the fire station later this spring.

Funds were allocated to cities, counties and tribes based on population.