The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will send over $290 million to SECO, the Comptroller’s State Energy Conservation Office.  SECO is dividing these funds up into four programs, and the largest chunk of that cash goes to fund the Texas State Energy Fund.  That money funds Texas SEP, our state energy program which promotes energy conservation and efficiency and reduces energy demand by developing and implementing comprehensive plans.  The fund allows technical assistance, training, education, project implementation of commercially-available energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies, but can’t be used for research activities or construction.  Lots of good work will be accomplished through this program and funding. 

The Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate program was part of the total funding package, with over $23 million allocated by SECO to give rebates to people who upgraded to Energy Star rated appliances.  That program went into effect on April 7, and the waiting lists filled almost immediately with an unexpected and overwhelming response from energy and money conscious Texans!  If you aren’t already on the list, I hate to say it, but you’ve missed out already.  Want to read more?  http://www.secostimulus.org/  has all the details and links you could possibly want to understand how much and who got it…