Vt. makes renewable energy money available

MONTPELIER, Vt.—The Vermont Department of Public Service has announced the availability of money from state programs designed to jump-start renewable energy projects.

Applications for help with renewable energy and combined heat and power projects are due Oct. 1 at the Department of Public Service. Successful applications will be helped from the Clean Energy Development Fund.

Grant amounts can range from $25,000 for pre-project planning to $250,000 toward larger-scale project costs. Low-interest loans also are available, with the interest rate set currently at 2 percent.

The program was established in 2005 and is funded by money the state gets from Entergy Nuclear, the owners of the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant.