Town Administrator April 6, 2020
Erie Awarded Energy GrantsThe Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) awarded the Town of Erie two substantial grants this week. DOLA said, “Competition for these limited funds was intense and we had many more requests than we had funds available.” In spite of that intense competition, Erie earned not just one, but two grant awards, totaling over $1.5 million! DOLA awarded the Town $750,000 for the final phase of Erie Community Park, and $766,704 for the RENW Erie Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Hydropower. For an illustration of the Park plan, see
this link. The Town will use the Hydropower grant to install a turbine in the raw water supply pipe at the WTP. Using water pressure in the pipe, the turbine will supply roughly 20% of the electricity used at the WTP, saving the Town—and Town rate payers—even more money!
The State has awarded Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance grants from severance tax proceeds throughout the State for many years. The last grant to Erie helped fund construction of the Erie Community Center. The State awarded the Hydropower grant under a new renewable and clean energy initiative launched by Governor Polis. The State scores grant applications based on connection to energy impact, degree of need, measurable outcomes, and relationship to community goals, among other criteria.