Pete HahnloserThe U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a new round of funding through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program. More than $12.62 million will be disbursed to 32 local governments, two states and one tribe to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through improvements in energy efficiency.
Overseen by DOE’s Office of State and Community Energy Programs, the EECBG program provides formula grants to states, territories, the District of Columbia, and eligible tribal and local governments. The funding is versatile, allowing recipients to use it for any of the 14 eligible clean energy initiatives aimed at reducing energy use, boosting energy efficiency and promoting environmental justice.
This marks the EECBG’s eighth round of funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Since its first awards in October 2023, DOE has distributed more than $160 million to 210 communities.
Recipients will use the funds to perform energy assessments and efficiency improvements for low-income households, install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, purchase municipal alternative fuel vehicles, initiate solarization efforts and make communities more bicycle-friendly. The program is part of the federal Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure that 40% of the overall benefits from specific federal climate, clean energy and other investments reach disadvantaged communities that have historically faced underinvestment and excessive pollution.
Government projects being supported by this round of awards include:
- Arizona plans to focus on three primary projects. In collaboration with utilities and community organizations, the state will develop a centralized digital resource to provide residents with access to rebates, technical assistance and other resources for completing energy efficiency projects. Award funds will also be used to improve energy efficiency in 100 government buildings through new systems to better monitor and reduce energy use. The state will be distributing subgrants to local governments for clean energy initiatives such as energy assessments and weatherization improvements in municipal buildings. Award amount: $2.1 million
- Babylon, New York,., will use funds to support the Long Island Green Homes program, which assists residents in enhancing home energy efficiency by purchasing new heat pumps and other equipment for 40 to 50 households, with a particular focus on low-income communities.
- Charlotte, North Carolina, will partner with community organizations to get more households on solar power through an educational campaign on the benefits of solar energy, the funding of solar installations for 25 low- and moderate-income households, and providing technical assistance throughout the solar purchase and installation process.
- Livermore, California, has purchased two dual-plug solar-powered EV chargers with battery storage and installed them at the Civic Center Public Library and City Hall for public use. These chargers, which do not require a grid connection, can be relocated as needed. The batteries can also serve as backup power for the Library and City Hall during extreme weather events. Livermore is the first community to receive its funds as a reimbursement through the equipment rebate voucher option, an alternative for local governments and tribes to apply for and manage their awards.
- Missoula, Montana, will launch a building electrification campaign and develop new voluntary stretch building codes. The campaign will also expand the city’s existing local residential rebate program for electric heat pump water heaters, educate residents on available rebates, increase staff capacity to meet electrification goals, and train residents on the installation of air-source heat pumps and heat pump water heaters in partnership with the Clean Energy Workforce Coalition.
- Wichita, Kansas, will conduct energy assessments on 16 stormwater pump stations to recommend upgrades on pump control and reduce power consumption. The city will also subgrant funds to the South Central Kansas Economic Development District to weatherize 20 homes for low-income residents. Remaining funds will be used for efficiency upgrades at the Wichita Animal Shelter.
The next application deadlines for the EECBG Program are Oct. 31 for eligible local governments, and May 31, 2025, for tribes. Local governments and tribes can apply for traditional grants or vouchers for equipment rebates or technical assistance.
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
