The Biden Administration’s commitment to fostering clean energy and energy efficiency has taken a leap forward with the announcement of over $17 million in funding, courtesy of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This investment will propel energy advancements across public facilities and low-income households in 30 communities across the United States, aiming to ramp up energy efficiency and integrate clean energy technologies.
Expansive Reach of EECBG Program
Managed by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP), the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program is now in its fourth round of financial distributions. With this round, states, local governments, Tribes, and the territory of Guam will be supported in efforts to enhance energy efficiency, cut carbon emissions, and ultimately shrink energy consumption to provide long-term energy cost savings for residents. The Program spans across 1,878 local government areas, 774 Tribes, 5 territories, Washington D.C., and all 50 states, giving a wide array of entities the opportunity to benefit from these funds.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm highlighted that these funds will support a myriad of projects that communities have long been aspiring to undertake, such as LED lighting installations and public electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure development. This aligns with local energy plans and helps set the stage for a successful clean energy transition.
Innovative Projects Receiving Funding
Several grantees will be putting their EECBG Program funds towards diverse projects this month. These range from installing solar arrays in schools, creating electric transportation incentive programs, funding energy retrofits for low-income households, to essential energy efficiency upgrades in municipal buildings, and more.
Spotlight on Grantee Initiatives
Guam will use a significant grant to equip eleven government buildings with solar panels and LED lights, focusing on community centers within disadvantaged areas and aiming to bolster climate resilience while reducing operational costs. Projects across North Carolina, Las Vegas, New Bedford, and Cuyahoga County will also be instrumental in pushing forward renewable energy installations and energy efficiency retrofits, with an emphasis on benefiting disadvantaged communities and aligning with broader goals such as carbon neutrality.
In addition, Carolina, Puerto Rico, aims to upgrade its street lighting to energy-efficient LEDs. The Colusa Indian Community in California will improve EV infrastructure, and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma will conduct energy audits to develop a comprehensive energy conservation strategy.
Extended Application Deadlines and Technical Assistance
With extended deadlines for Tribes and local governments to apply for EECBG Program formula funds, there is more time for eligible entities to benefit from these initiatives. The DOE has also provided a streamlined Voucher Portal for applications to reduce the administrative burden and offers technical assistance to support entities in preparing applications and developing project plans.
The announcement of formula awards is an ongoing monthly process, keeping the momentum strong for energy efficiency and clean technology projects across the nation. The DOE remains an active participant in these developments, ensuring that eligible entities can make the most of the available resources to fuel their journey towards a more sustainable and efficient future.
