The U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program will award $8.8 million in funding to cities, counties, towns, state-recognized tribes — or teams of these communities — that were ineligible for the EECBG Program Formula grant.
Recipients can use the funding for a wide variety of projects that lower energy costs, reduce carbon emissions and energy use, and improve energy efficiency. Example projects include regional clean energy strategic plans, investments in distributed energy technologies, or cross-municipal weatherization-based workforce development programs.
The program is an exciting opportunity for smaller communities to access funds for clean energy. Per statute, DOE will give priority to applicants from states with populations of fewer than 2 million people, and to proposed projects that will result in significant energy efficiency improvements and fossil fuel reduction in disadvantaged communities. Applicants are encouraged to apply in teams to maximize the impact of program funding.
DOE will host a webinar with information about the grant structure, design, and application process on Monday, May 15 at 2 p.m. ET. The webinar will be recorded and available on the DOE website.
Interested communities can begin the application process by submitting a short concept paper to DOE by June 5, 2023. DOE will review the concept papers and either encourage or discourage applicants to submit a full application. Applicants may submit a full application regardless of whether they are encouraged or discouraged to do so. Full applications are due by Aug. 7, 2023. For more information about the EECBG Competitive Program, please visit the website.