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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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This is a good example of how "Government Protects Government". word has been out for over a week that this grant will most likely be restored. If it is it will only be because Clean Energy/Resource Recovery helped make it happen. This is the company that should have had the grant in the first place.
I understand part of the argument in favor of the grant restoration is that a new administration is in place and safeguards have been implemented to prevent future misuses of the grant money.
THE QUESTIONS THAT REMAIN:
WHAT ABOUT THE FUNDING ALREADY IDENTIFIED AS HAVING BEEN MISSPENT? WHO WILL HAVE TO PAY IT BACK OR WILL IT BE FORGIVEN?
WILL THERE BE AN INVESTIGATION INTO HOW THIS CONTRACT WAS FRAUDULENTLY TRANSFERRED?
WILL THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY HAVE TO EXPLAIN WHY IT FAILED TO MONITOR THE GRANT AND WHY IT TOOK OVER A YEAR TO LAUNCH AN INVESTIGATION ON WHAT WAS DETERMINED TO BE "VALID AND VERIFIABLE" ALLEGATIONS ON THE MISUSE OF THE GRANT?
IS THIS MERELY ANOTHER COVER-UP DESIGNED TO HIDE PUBLIC CORRUPTION?
City of Flint trying for second chance at terminated $1.1M federal energy grant
Published: Thursday, January 05, 2012, 8:30 AM
By Kristin Longley | Flint Journal
FLINT, Michigan — The city of Flint is hoping for a second chance at the $1.1 million energy grant that was terminated by federal officials in October.
After the U.S. Department of Energy yanked the grant because of what it called “serious mismanagement and misuse,” Flint officials have submitted a revised proposal for spending the money on projects that promote energy efficiency.
Federal officials are expected to decide by Jan. 13 whether to reinstate the grant award, officials said.
Details of the proposal weren’t immediately available on Wednesday, but City Attorney Peter Bade said the city is partnering with Ann Arbor-based Resource Recycling Systems to develop the plan for using the grant funds.
Resource Recycling was the lowest bidder to respond to the city’s original request for proposals for spending the grant funds in 2009, when it first became available.
The city eventually decided not to go with the lowest bidder, which was one of the concerns cited by the energy department in its termination letter to the city.
Bade said Resource Recycling Systems is a “nationally recognized environmental consulting and engineering firm with direct experience administering federal grants,” including the energy department and other federal agencies.
In an e-mail to The Flint Journal, Bade said the proposal “addresses the Department of Energy’s concerns regarding the City’s ability and willingness to comply with the Grant requirements, and seeks to strongly demonstrate the City’s level of commitment.”
A representative from the energy department could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
The grant was awarded as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to be used for programs and projects that promote energy efficiency at City Hall and for city residents, such as financial incentives for energy improvements.
But in May, the grant came under federal investigation when the FBI and energy department auditors took electronic records and other grant-related documents and materials from city hall.
The grant was later suspended and then terminated, but the city’s legal department appealed the termination. |
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Tue Jan 10, 2012 3:17 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Some of Flint's investigated energy grant funds could be reinstated
Published: Friday, January 27, 2012, 6:09 PM Updated: Friday, January 27, 2012, 7:34 PM
By Kristin Longley | Flint Journal
FLINT, Michigan — The U.S. Department of Energy may reinstate some of Flint's $1.1-million energy efficiency grant that was terminated for misuse amid a federal investigation.
In a letter sent today to emergency manager Michael Brown, energy department officials outlined strict conditions under which they would consider reinstating a portion of the grant, which they yanked in November for "serious mismanagement."
First, the city must amend its proposal and must repay about $215,000 in "disallowed" or "questioned" costs, among other requirements, the letter says.
If the proposal is approved, the city would be able to use an unspecified amount of the grant for a recycling plan and on energy efficiency upgrades at Flint City Hall, City Attorney Peter Bade said.
"I'm very confident we can comply with all the things they've listed," Bade said. "Every step of the way there will be significant monitoring by DOE (Department of Energy) and we will be very focused on the city’s side to ensure compliance."
The $1.1 million grant was originally awarded in 2009, but later came under scrutiny and was the subject of federal grand jury subpoenas and an FBI visit in May.
The grant was terminated in November after energy officials found the city failed to follow procurement standards as well as conflicts of interest and "serious lack of attention" to grant requirements, the department said at the time.
The city appealed the findings, which led to the department's reconsideration of the termination.
Bade declined to comment on whether the department's reconsideration has any implications for the federal investigation.
"I cannot speak to the FBI's investigation," he said.
Part of the city's amended plan for the grant includes a proposal for a curbside recycling program. Another includes energy efficiency upgrades at city hall that would include windows and climate control.
Bade said he was pleased the city and energy department have been able to work toward a resolution so the grant can be used in Flint.
"These retrofit activities would result in significant savings," Bade said. "The energy savings would benefit the city for years to come." |
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Fri Jan 27, 2012 8:19 pm |
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