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DOE Launches $450M Program to Ramp Up Energy Efficiency Retrofits by Staff Green Biz, September 17, 2009

WASHINGTON, DC -- The U.S. Department of Energy started a $450 million program this week to fire up large-scale retrofit programs in order to bring greater energy efficiency to businesses and households.

Through the program, which is backed by Recovery Act funds, the DOE wants to stimulate development of "pioneering innovative models" that when deployed nationally will make energy efficiency more accessible to business and residential utility customers. By upgrading energy nationwide, about $100 million could be saved each year in power costs, according to the DOE. "Energy efficiency isn't just low-hanging fruit; it's fruit lying on the ground," U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu said in a statement.

"We have the tools to reduce energy use at home and at work and to provide huge savings to families and businesses on their energy bills," Chu said. "But use of these technologies has been far too limited because we lack the simple and effective ways for people to access them."

More details about the program are available from the DOE.