News Release No. 375

THREE MISSOURI PROJECTS RECEIVE $513,600 IN ENERGY LOANS

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, NOV. 10, 2004 - Three energy efficiency projects around Missouri have been approved for $513,600 in low-interest loans from the Energy Loan Program. The Energy Loan Program helps public schools and local governments invest in energy efficiency projects that will save money that can be used for other needed expenditures. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Energy Center administers the program.

"Energy efficiency saves money that can be re-directed to other important services," said Anita Randolph, director of the Energy Center. "These loans assist schools and governments in saving energy and money, benefiting all Missourians. These loans are especially important during tough fiscal times."

Following is a list of Energy Loan Program loan recipients, along with the projects and loan amounts:

The Energy Loan Program is currently helping Missouri school districts and local governments save an estimated $9.3 million in energy costs each year. Eligible loan applicants are schools, local governments, colleges and universities. The center has loaned more than $58 million throughout the state since 1988.

Energy efficiency plays a vital role in environmental quality, reducing environmental impacts on Missouri's air and water by displacing fossil fuel generation. Since more than 95 percent of Missouri's primary energy sources are imported from outside the state at a cost of more than $13 billion each year, energy efficiency also benefits Missouri's economy by reducing the rate at which dollars leave the state for the purchase of fossil fuels.

For more information, contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Energy Center at 573-751-3443 or the department toll free at 800-361-4827.

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

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