Brady PieperThe U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has selected 17 states and territories to receive $66 million in loan funds for energy efficiency projects in public buildings.
“Increased opportunities for low-cost financing will help states and territories expand access to the money-saving clean energy tools that will benefit the residential, commercial and public sectors,” U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm said in a press release. “We are excited to see states and territories take advantage of targeted and impactful financing options to transform their communities.”
The Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Capitalization Grant Program will administer the funds to support energy audits, upgrades and retrofits at residential, commercial and public buildings. The loan program is supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021.
According to previous Energy Efficiency RLF performance data, every dollar of federally financed loans is expected to attracts $20 in private investments to local economies and energy initiatives. In this round of funding, states where projects take place could see an economic boost of up to $1.3 billion combined.
Texas is set to receive just over $22.3 million, the most of any state or territory. The state will use the funds to replace the existing Texas LoanSTAR revolving loan program with a new revolving loan program. Texas will also provide a grant for community centers needing American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers Level II energy audits.
Iowa will receive $7 million to create a new revolving loan fund for commercial and residential entities. This fund will target multi-family housing and assist in upgrading inefficient baseboard heating to more efficient ductless mini-split systems.
Georgia will utilize $2.5 million to establish a resident-oriented state revolving loan fund to assist lower-income and disadvantaged communities.
Other states receiving at least $2 million in RLF funds include:
- $15.9 million to Illinois
- $10 million to Tennessee
- $10 million to Indiana
- $7.6 million to Oklahoma
- $6.7 million to Kansas
- $5.7 million to New Mexico
- $4.8 million to Alaska
- $3.35 million to Pennsylvania
- $3.2 million to Ohio
- $2.4 million to New Jersey
A full list of states and territories can be found on the RLF Program Award List.
This is the third round of funds from the RLF Capitalization Grant Program, which will provide $242 million to states and communities to capitalize on energy efficiency initiatives. Forty percent of those funds will be delivered to states, territories and the District of Columbia, while 60% will address initiatives in priority states outlined by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Funds are still available to state governments until the fund has expended.
