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Energy Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants
Total Funding Available: $3.2 billion
Overview
The Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA; Pub. L. No. 110-140), signed into law on December 19, 2007, created the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program. The program, as established by EISA, is for federal grants to units of local government, Indian tribes, and states to reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions, and for improvements in energy efficiency. The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) of the U.S. Department of Energy will likely administer the EECBG Program.
Title V, Subtitle E of EISA describes the purpose for creating the EECBG Program:
The purpose of the program shall be to assist eligible entities in implementing strategies:
(1) to reduce fossil fuel emissions created as a result of activities within the jurisdictions of eligible entities in a manner
that (A) is environmentally sustainable; and, (B) to the maximum extent practicable, maximizes benefits for local and regional communities;
(2) to reduce the total energy use of the eligible entities; and
(3) to improve energy efficiency in (A) the transportation sector; (B) the building sector; and (C) other appropriate sectors.
Of the $3.2 billion appropriated by the federal act, $2.8 billion will go out through a formula set by federal law and another $400 million will go out in competitive energy grants.
Eligible uses of Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants
While final guidelines have not been published, in general, likely eligible uses of funds for cities include:
• Developing/implementing an energy efficiency and conservation strategy;
• Retaining technical consultant services to assist in the development of such strategy;
• Conducting residential and commercial building energy audits;
• Establishing financial incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements (e.g., loan programs, rebate programs, waive permit fees)
• Providing grants to nonprofit organizations to perform energy efficiency retrofits;
• Developing/implementing programs to conserve energy used in transportation (e.g., flex time by employees, satellite work centers, promotion of zoning requirements that promote energy efficient development, transportation infrastructure; bike lanes/pathways, pedestrian walkways, and synchronized traffic signals);
• Developing and implementing building codes and inspection services to promote building energy efficiency;
• Implementing energy distribution technologies;
• Developing public education programs to increase participation and efficiency rates for recycling programs;
• Purchasing/implementing technologies to reduce and capture methane and other greenhouse gases generated by landfills or similar sources;
• Installing light emitting diodes (LEDS);
• Developing, implementing, and installing on or in any government buildings of onsite renewable energy technology that generates electricity from renewable resources (solar and wind energy, fuel cells, and biomass); and
• Any other activity as determined by the Secretary of Energy in consultation with the Secretaries of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
How to Access Funding
The Green Communities Division within the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources is assisting cities and towns in determining the best way to use these funds to meet the U.S. DOE program requirements and provide the most benefits to communities. The Green Communities Division will also guide local officials through the application process.
The 42 Massachusetts communities with more than 35,000 residents are eligible for direct funding from the U.S. Department of Energy. Those communities may apply directly and receive funds straight from the U.S. DOE. Applications are due by June 25, 2009, at 8 p.m. The amount of funding available to each city or town has been predetermined based on a formula. For more information, visit the Department of Energy Resources Web site and click on the Green Communities Federal Stimulus Funding Guidance link on the right.
The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources will apply for and receive the funds from the U.S. DOE to distribute to communities with fewer than 35,000 residents. The amount of funding for these subgrants, and for Department of Energy Resources programming and assistance, is $14,752,100, of which 60 percent must be provided in subgrants. The Department of Energy Resources is developing a process to provide direct energy assistance to all communities, as well as an application process for the subgrants. The Department of Energy Resources plan for this process must be submitted to U.S. DOE by May 25. The Department of Energy Resources will notify municipalities when more information is available.
Federal Contact
EERE’s Weatherization and Intergovernmental Program
www.eere.energy.gov/wip
EERE Information Center via phone, e-mail or Web site:
Phone: (877) EERE-INFO – (877-337-3463, toll-free)
Hours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. EST, Mon-Fri
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.eere.energy.gov/informationcenter
In addition, it may be helpful to subscribe to EERE’s Progress Alerts:
www.eere.energy.gov/news/subscribe.cfm
State Contact
Mark Sylvia, Director, Green Communities Division, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Meg Lusardi, Green Communities Division, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
MMA Staff Contact
Tom Philbin, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , (617) 426-7272
Energy Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants
Total Funding Available: $3.2 billion
Overview
The Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA; Pub. L. No. 110-140), signed into law on December 19, 2007, created the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program. The program, as established by EISA, is for federal grants to units of local government, Indian tribes, and states to reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions, and for improvements in energy efficiency. The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) of the U.S. Department of Energy will likely administer the EECBG Program.
Title V, Subtitle E of EISA describes the purpose for creating the EECBG Program:
The purpose of the program shall be to assist eligible entities in implementing strategies:
(1) to reduce fossil fuel emissions created as a result of activities within the jurisdictions of eligible entities in a manner
that (A) is environmentally sustainable; and, (B) to the maximum extent practicable, maximizes benefits for local and regional communities;
(2) to reduce the total energy use of the eligible entities; and
(3) to improve energy efficiency in (A) the transportation sector; (B) the building sector; and (C) other appropriate sectors.
Of the $3.2 billion appropriated by the federal act, $2.8 billion will go out through a formula set by federal law and another $400 million will go out in competitive energy grants.
Eligible uses of Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants
While final guidelines have not been published, in general, likely eligible uses of funds for cities include:
• Developing/implementing an energy efficiency and conservation strategy;
• Retaining technical consultant services to assist in the development of such strategy;
• Conducting residential and commercial building energy audits;
• Establishing financial incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements (e.g., loan programs, rebate programs, waive permit fees)
• Providing grants to nonprofit organizations to perform energy efficiency retrofits;
• Developing/implementing programs to conserve energy used in transportation (e.g., flex time by employees, satellite work centers, promotion of zoning requirements that promote energy efficient development, transportation infrastructure; bike lanes/pathways, pedestrian walkways, and synchronized traffic signals);
• Developing and implementing building codes and inspection services to promote building energy efficiency;
• Implementing energy distribution technologies;
• Developing public education programs to increase participation and efficiency rates for recycling programs;
• Purchasing/implementing technologies to reduce and capture methane and other greenhouse gases generated by landfills or similar sources;
• Installing light emitting diodes (LEDS);
• Developing, implementing, and installing on or in any government buildings of onsite renewable energy technology that generates electricity from renewable resources (solar and wind energy, fuel cells, and biomass); and
• Any other activity as determined by the Secretary of Energy in consultation with the Secretaries of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
How to Access Funding
The Green Communities Division within the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources is assisting cities and towns in determining the best way to use these funds to meet the U.S. DOE program requirements and provide the most benefits to communities. The Green Communities Division will also guide local officials through the application process.
The 42 Massachusetts communities with more than 35,000 residents are eligible for direct funding from the U.S. Department of Energy. Those communities may apply directly and receive funds straight from the U.S. DOE. Applications are due by June 25, 2009, at 8 p.m. The amount of funding available to each city or town has been predetermined based on a formula. For more information, visit the Department of Energy Resources Web site and click on the Green Communities Federal Stimulus Funding Guidance link on the right.
The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources will apply for and receive the funds from the U.S. DOE to distribute to communities with fewer than 35,000 residents. The amount of funding for these subgrants, and for Department of Energy Resources programming and assistance, is $14,752,100, of which 60 percent must be provided in subgrants. The Department of Energy Resources is developing a process to provide direct energy assistance to all communities, as well as an application process for the subgrants. The Department of Energy Resources plan for this process must be submitted to U.S. DOE by May 25. The Department of Energy Resources will notify municipalities when more information is available.
Federal Contact
EERE’s Weatherization and Intergovernmental Program
www.eere.energy.gov/wip
EERE Information Center via phone, e-mail or Web site:
Phone: (877) EERE-INFO – (877-337-3463, toll-free)
Hours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. EST, Mon-Fri
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.eere.energy.gov/informationcenter
In addition, it may be helpful to subscribe to EERE’s Progress Alerts:
www.eere.energy.gov/news/subscribe.cfm
State Contact
Mark Sylvia, Director, Green Communities Division, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Meg Lusardi, Green Communities Division, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
MMA Staff Contact
Tom Philbin, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , (617) 426-7272
Last Updated on April 07, 2009
