Local union awarded solar panel grant

TERRE HAUTE, Ind - A federal grant is helping cut costs at one local union office.

Gov. Daniels office awarded 12 grants for alternative energy. One is for the IBEW Local 725 in Terre Haute. They were awarded $26,250 to train electrical workers on installing solar panels.

One array of solar panels will be used on the labor union building. The second array will go out by 46 and Hulman to power their sign.

"When we are not using that power we sell it back to Duke Energy. It will offset the cost of our electric bill," IBEW Local 725 Todd Thacker said.

Local 725 officials say they will probably still have to match up to $40,000 dollars of their own money to get the program up and running.