Energy Efficiency/Conservation Grants – June 25 Deadline!

As we reported previously, the US American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) included $3.2 billion for states, local governments and tribes for energy efficiency and conservation projects under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program (EECBG). A total of $1.9 billion is allocated to eligible cities and counties. This is a block grant program, so for cities of 35,000 or more population and counties of 200,000 or more population (or the top ten highest populated cities and counties in each state, regardless of population) funds are allocated on a formula basis. (Each state’s State Energy Office is typically the State contact point.) In addition, $456 million is set aside to fund other local energy efficiency projects through a competitive solicitation process.

There are numerous “public works” related projects that can be funded under this new program. It is a tremendous opportunity to advance energy efficiency and conservation projects in local communities. If your city or county is allocated funds directly and has not yet completed its application, you are encouraged to do so by the June 25 deadline. For public works departments that may not typically apply for this type of federal grant funding, we encourage you to take this opportunity to reach out to other departments within your city or county and work with them to take advantage of the federal resources that are available.

As examples, the following are cited as eligible activities under the program: transportation programs to conserve energy; installation of energy efficient traffic signals and street lighting; installation of distributed energy technologies including combined heat and power and district heating and cooling systems; material conservation programs including source reduction, recycling, and recycled content procurement programs; reduction and capture of greenhouse gas emissions generated by landfills or similar waste-related sources; installation of renewable energy technologies in or on government buildings, and energy audits and retrofits of residential and commercial buildings.

Comprehensive information on the EECBG program is at: http://www.eecbg.energy.gov/

To see the amount of funds allocated to each State, and cities and counties in each State, go to the following site and click on the desired State on the map: http://www.eecbg.energy.gov/grantalloc.html

For those cities and counties that are not direct recipients, each state is required to use 60 percent of its allotted funds for sub-grants to non-eligible units of government. Contact your State Energy Office for information on criteria for eligibility as it may differ from state to state.

Again, the June deadline for submissions is rapidly approaching. We look forward to hearing about the projects that are implemented in public works departments through the country. For more information, please see the websites noted above; smaller communities may contact your State Energy Office. If APWA can be of assistance, please contact Colene Roberts in Kansas City at croberts@apwa.net.