JEFFERSON CITY, MO, FEB. 24, 2025 – The Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Energy Loan Program has awarded a low-interest loan of $155,959 to assist the El Dorado Springs R-II School District with an energy efficiency project.
"Communities are eager to trim monthly expenses and be better financial stewards," said Kurt Schaefer, director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. "By implementing these energy efficiency projects, applicants are able to better conserve our energy resources and focus more of their budgets on their core missions."
The project, which is expected to benefit more than 10,000 Missourians, is anticipated to result in annual energy savings of approximately $17,830. The applicant will repay the loan with money saved on energy costs as a result of the energy efficiency project. In addition, the project will reduce electricity use by more than 176,572 kilowatt hours, avoiding nearly 164 metric tons of carbon dioxide pollution. This equates to removing 38.3 passenger cars from the road for a year.
"The Energy Loan Program provides recipients a great opportunity to make improvements by installing energy efficient innovations," said Emily Wilbur, director of MoDNR's Division of Energy. "This loan program stimulates Missouri's economy by saving taxpayer money, allowing applicants to redirect savings toward other priorities."
Since the Energy Loan Program's inception in 1989, the department's Division of Energy has awarded more than 620 loans representing more than $118 million in completed energy efficiency projects, and more than $235 million in estimated cumulative energy savings. Through the Division of Energy, low-interest loans are provided to public schools, public higher education institutions and local governments to help reduce energy costs. Loan financing may be used for various energy-saving investments such as insulation, lighting systems, heating and cooling systems, combined heat and power systems, pumps, motors, aerators, renewable energy systems and other measures that reduce energy use and cost.
To learn more about the Energy Loan Program, please visit dnr.mo.gov/energy/financial-assistance-opportunities, or contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Division of Energy at 573-751-2254 or toll-free at 855-522-2796.