Federal stimulus dollars soon will green up Utah's economy, providing millions for environment-friendly projects ranging from new solar installations to traffic-light synchronization to energy rebates for conservation-minded builders.

The White House announced Thursday that Utah will receive nearly $27.8 million to promote energy efficiency and jump-start job growth in communities from sunbaked Dixie to farm-filled Cache Valley.

"[It] makes for a pretty great day," said Ann Ober, who oversees stimulus funding for Salt Lake County.

The package will pump nearly $2.3 million into the county, likely propping up Mayor Peter Corroon's plans to speckle government rooftops with solar panels and help homeowners afford their own star power.

"Our projects," Corroon said, "will create jobs and allow Salt Lake County to lead on renewable energy and efficiency."

Vicki Bennett, director of sustainability for Salt Lake City, called the stimulus a "new opportunity" for saving energy. With an extra $2.1 million, the city could expand its recycling program, retrofit government buildings, time stoplights, install solar panels or create bicycle lanes.

The federal dollars could lead to any number of other energy-shaving measures across the state. Governments may conduct energy audits, capture methane gas from landfills, impose stricter building codes, install LED stoplights or pursue wind power.

In St. George, the money may revive the city's energy-efficiency rebate program, which exhausted its funds within six weeks because of its popularity. The initiative -- started with $50,000 -- offered residents a financial incentive for upgrading their attic insulation, buying power-saving air conditioners or swimming-pool pumps or building an energy-efficient home.

The city's conservation coordinator, Rene Flemming, would like to expand that program with help of St. George's $701,500 share of the stimulus.

Utah's windfall comes as part of a $3.2 billion package meant to promote "green" projects and job expansion across the nation.

"The funding will be used for the cheapest, cleanest and most reliable energy technologies we have -- energy efficiency and conservation -- which can be deployed immediately," Energy Secretary Steven Chu said in a news release.

Officials must decide by late June how to spend the money. Salt Lake County and Salt Lake City, along with other local governments, first want to gather some "green" spending ideas from their constituents.

jstettler@sltrib.com