LAKE COUNTY – A partnership between Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Siskiyou, Sonoma, and Trinity counties will be receiving $4.4 million of federal stimulus funds through the California Energy Commission (CEC) to initiate the proposed North Coast Energy Independence Program (NCEIP).

The program will provide Lake County residents and businesses access to funding for residential and commercial energy efficiency and water conservation improvements, and stimulate the County’s economy through development of clean technology jobs.

The NCEIP is patterned after and represents an expansion of the highly acclaimed Sonoma County Energy Independence Program. Implementation of the NCEIP will be through the North Coast Integrated Regional Water Management Group (NCIRWMG), a coalition of six North Coast counties.

The NCIRWMG’s governance committee will serve as the principal contact with the CEC and administer the grant on behalf of the participating counties.

Startup and implementation of the NCEIP will occur within each county under direction of their respective Boards of Supervisors.

“This is just one of many energy saving initiatives taken by the Lake County Board of Supervisors,” said Denise Rushing, District 3 Supervisor.

“Our board has sponsored the installation of more than 3.2 megawatts of solar on government and agency facilities, initiated energy efficiency improvements in county facilities, and encouraged our citizens to do the same,” Rushing said. “Our efforts have several goals, from doing our part to address climate change to helping our local economy with green jobs. Saving energy means saving money, and that saved money stays right here in Lake County, creating a more resilient local economy.”

The NCEIP will leverage the grant funding with $15 million in interim funds and offer rebates and tax incentives totaling $7 million.

Each North Coast County’s program will managed independently by each county.

The program is expected to provide more than 150 full-time jobs in the green construction industry in the first two years in the seven-county partnership.

Additional information on the NCEIP will be forthcoming in the coming months, as details of the program become available.

For more information, contact Terre Logsdon with the Lake County Public Services Department at 707-263-1760.

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