Salt Lake to get solar-power funds

WASHINGTON — Salt Lake City will receive about $200,000 from the U.S. Energy Department to increase its use of solar power, the department announced Wednesday.

Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman named 13 "Solar America Cities" that will share $2.5 million in grant money to promote solar-power technology throughout their communities. The money will be transferred to the states' energy departments, which will work with the national department to find the best way to use it.

"We believe these projects will stimulate activity in the marketplace and create a ripple effect that will boost the use of solar energy across the country," Bodman said in a statement. "Harnessing more of the sun's power is central to reaching the president's goal of increasing our nation's energy security by pushing forward clean, renewable technologies that will allow us to become less reliant on imported sources of energy."

The department selected Salt Lake City and the other areas based on high electricity demand, a diverse geography, population, and maturity of solar infrastructure as well as the cities' plan and commitment to a citywide approach to using solar power, according to the department.

"Congratulations to Salt Lake for taking the responsible steps to promote solar-powered technologies," said Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah. "This program underscores the commitment all levels of government should have to pursue new and innovative ways to meet our growing energy needs, and I'm happy to see that Utah is a part of it."

Other cities named to receive a portion of the money are: Ann Arbor, Mich.; Austin, Texas; Berkeley, Calif.; Boston; Madison, Wisc.; New Orleans; New York; Pittsburgh; Portland, Ore.; San Diego; San Francisco; and Tucson, Ariz..

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