The Bank of North Dakota received $85,500 to offset the extra cost of energy efficiency elements in its new building.

The North Dakota Department of Commerce allocated the money to BND from special funding managed by the Office of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency; the money originated from a $20 million fund given to the state in the '80s as a result of the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act, in an effort to clean up and create energy-efficiency in the public and private sectors.

Workforce Safety and Insurance and Job Service North Dakota received similar funding a few years ago, said Paul Gjovig with the Department of Commerce.

There's about $1.5 million left in the coffers for other projects.

"We have certain rules and parameters" for funding, Gjovig said. "Enhancing state buildings through energy efficiency is an acceptable use for these dollars."

BND's at least eight energy upgrades included geothermal wells, separate ventilation systems for non-business hours, motion sensitive lighting systems and various heat pumps together with motion sensitive lighting systems; the payback period is from immediate to 15 years, said Dale Eberle with BND.

- Crystal R. Reid