Catch Up on the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program

Publication
Written By Amy Kirschbaum

Catch Up on the Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Block Grant Program
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program is a one-time allocation of $550 million, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, available to states, local governments, and tribes for energy efficiency and conservation projects. The Department of Energy (DOE) is currentlyaccepting applications for formula grants and competitive grants.
If the EECBG program sounds familiar, that’s likely because it was previously funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Funding can be used for a variety of projects that lower energy costs, reduce
carbon emissions and energy use, and improve energy efficiency. Project investments include clean energy strategic plans, building audits and retrofits, electric vehicles (EV) and EV infrastructure, distributed energy technology, street lighting replacement, renewable energy resources, and more.

Formula Grants: To determine whether your community received a formula allocation, review the DOE’s Formula Grant Funding Allocations to Local Governments. If listed, your local government must submit a Pre-Award Information Sheet by April 28, 2023.

Find more information on the EECBG Program Formula Grant Application Hub.

Competitive Grants: Local governments that are not eligible for formula grants can apply for competitive grants directly from the DOE. Concept papers are due by June 5, 2023, with full applications due by August 7, 2023.

Find more information on the EECBG Program Competitive Funding Application Hub.

Subgrants: Local governments not receiving formula grants can also apply for a subgrant from the State Energy Office (SEO). States are required to pass through 60% of EECBG formula allocations to local governments as subgrants. SEOs have not yet provided details on the application process.
All applicants to the EECBG program must submit an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy (EECS) to the DOE for approval. The EECS describes the local government’s goals to increase energy efficiency and conservation and the plan for using an EECBG grant to achieve those goals. To help with that, here’s an EECS template DOE created for local governments to use.

Amy Kirschbaum

Amy Kirschbaum began her career on Capitol Hill in the office of Congressman E. Clay Shaw, Jr. (FL). Upon leaving her post as legislative assistant in Congressman Shaw's office, Amy worked for the U.S. Congressional Sunbelt Caucus as a legislative assistant and later as the Legislative Director. In 1992, Amy moved to Oregon where she continued her career in public affairs at the Oregon Department of Transportation. Before joining Strategics Consulting, Amy was the Executive Director of the Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Oregon and SW Washington. Amy grew up in Broward County, FL, and earned a bachelor’s degree in public policy from Duke University.

Email Amy at: amy@strategics.consulting

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