(February 10, 2010) - Qualified Memphis homeowners could receive up to $5,000 for energy efficient home improvements under a new federal grant program announced by Memphis Mayor A C Wharton at MLGW's Netters Business Center today.

The Home Energy Efficiency Grant (HEEG) program is a result of the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, or stimulus funding, which set aside $6.76 million in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) for the city of Memphis.

Of that $6.76 million approximately $5 million will be distributed through MLGW, largely for income-qualified residential programs in Memphis. The remaining $1.76 million will fund a renewable power generation project at the M.C. Stiles Wastewater Treatment Plant. The funds will be spent through 2012, according to the grant guidelines.

The initial HEEG program will focus on energy efficiency for homeowners and is one of four Department of Energy-approved grant initiatives that MLGW will administer. The other programs-which will be rolled out later this year-will focus on landlords, housing rehabilitation through non-profits and installing programmable thermostats in existing homes. The homeowners program is designed to help improve the energy efficiency of owner-occupied housing by conducting an initial energy audit, identifying energy improvements, making improvements at no cost to the qualified homeowner and conducting a post-work inspection.

Energy efficiency measures will include the applicable combination of replacing or repairing heating and cooling equipment, duct leakage repair or replacement, replacement or repair of water heating units and the replacement or repair of windows, doors and attic insulation.

Requests for energy-efficiency improvements for homeowners will be taken on a first request, first qualified basis on Saturday, February 20 from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. A special phone number for these requests will be activated on this date.

To qualify, applicants must live full-time in their homes and provide proof of residence; must have proof of ownership of the single-family home that can include a house, duplex, triplex, or a condominium; house must be located within the City of Memphis; and must meet income guidelines to ensure that assistance does not overlap with other federal energy programs. City of Memphis and MLGW employees are not eligible.

Memphis residents can obtain information about the energy programs by calling 528-4444 or by visiting the MLGW website at www.mlgw.com/energygrant.

MLGW is the largest three-service public power utility in the nation, serving more than 420,000 customers in Memphis and Shelby County.