Gov. Robert Bentley announced Monday the awarding of $160,000 in cost-cutting energy grants that include a $10,000 economic development grant to the City of Brundidge to assist with upgrades to the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

Britt Thomas, Brundidge city manager, said the $10,000 grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) State Energy Program will be used to help install equipment at the city’s water treatment plant that will permit speed adjustments, extending the life of motors and reducing energy consumption.

Thomas said the City is appreciative of the grant funds that will assist in making improvements to the wastewater treatment facility. The total cost of the project will be $95,400.

“In applying to the ADECA Energy Department for this maximum $10,000 grant, the City committed to providing a minimum of 25 percent of the grant request in matching funds as required by the grant application or as much as is required to implement the project,” Thomas said. “The city council committed to $85,400 in local cash matching funds to implement the project.”

Thomas said project will install upgrades that will include retrofits that will lower energy costs for the operation of the wastewater treatment system.

“The upgrades will result in energy savings, cost savings, maintenance reduction and improved sanitary sewer faculties,” he said.

Bentley also announced grant awards to help 10 public schools and three medical facilities cut expenses by making their facilities more energy efficient.

“The grant recipients will replace outdated heating, cooling, lighting or other systems with more and efficient equipment that is less expensive to operate,” Bentley said. “These upgrades are an excellent financial investment for taxpayers that will reduce operating costs for many years to come.”

ADECA is administering the grants from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Energy’s State Energy Program. ADECA administers a wide range of programs that support law enforcement, economic development, infrastructure upgrades, recreation, energy conservation, water resource management, job training and career development.