5 Towns Jewish Times

March 13, 2015

The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization, praised the introduction of the bipartisan Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Act (S. 600) in Congress.

Originally introduced in the United States Senate by Senators John Hoeven (R-ND) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), the Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Act will establish a new pilot program at the U.S. Department of Energy to provide financial grants to nonprofit organizations to help them make buildings they own and operate more energy-efficient. Additional original cosponsors of the bill are Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO), James Risch (R-ID), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), and Brian Schatz (D-HI).

The Act will enable America’s schools, youth centers, houses of worship, hospitals, YMCAs, museums, etc., to reduce their operating costs, lessen impact on the environment, and bolster America’s energy independence. Under the proposal, nonprofits could apply for grants up to 50 percent of the total cost of the energy efficiency program for their buildings—up to $200,000.

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