Jennifer M. Granholm Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy | Official Website
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced the allocation of $18.5 million to support clean energy projects in 24 states and local governments. This funding, part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, is aimed at improving energy efficiency, reducing climate pollution, and lowering overall energy use through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm stated, "No one knows communities' energy improvement needs better than the state and local governments, and the Biden-Harris Administration is helping support these ongoing efforts for a clean energy future for all." She emphasized that these investments empower state and local governments to reduce emissions, increase climate resiliency, and strengthen communities.
Since its inception in October 2023, the EECBG Program has awarded nearly $150 million to 175 communities. The program provides over $430 million in formula grant funding to 2,708 states, territories, local governments, and Tribes. The initiative also supports President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative by aiming to deliver 40 percent of federal investment benefits to disadvantaged communities.
The recent tranche will fund various projects such as energy assessments and upgrades at community centers and schools, installation of solar panels on municipal facilities, development of climate plans, recycling initiatives, building electrification campaigns for households, among others.
California will use its $4.52 million award to advance statewide public and private building decarbonization through the Local Government Building Decarbonization Challenge (LGBDC). Cobb County in Georgia will receive $557K for constructing a Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) facility among other sustainability efforts.
Dane County in Wisconsin will launch a building electrification campaign with a $266K award to assist disadvantaged communities in accessing incentives for home electrification. New Hampshire's Municipal Solar Grant Program will receive $1.64 million to help small towns install solar panels on municipal facilities.
Pennsylvania's MORE Program will utilize its $3 million award to provide grants and loans for long-term clean energy projects while Philadelphia will focus on reducing energy use with an award of $1.31 million through activities like a Cool Roofs Program.
Prince George’s County in Maryland plans two major activities with its $681K award: a residential rooftop solar incentive program and benchmarking county buildings using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tools. San Antonio will launch three transportation efficiency initiatives with its $1.22 million grant including e-bike rebates for low-income residents.
Additional awards were given to Arlington County ($267K), City of Arlington ($369K), City of Beaumont ($168K), Fairbanks North Star Borough ($77K), Frederick County ($81K), City of Grand Rapids ($235K), City of Manchester ($163K), City of Marlborough ($76K), City of Miramar ($173K), Montgomery County ($594K), New Castle County ($403K), Somerset County ($76K), City of Sun Prairie ($76K), City of Tampa ($413K), Tarrant County ($306K) and State of Utah ($1.81M).
The DOE offers technical assistance through Blueprints providing guides for implementing clean energy projects. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) has been selected to run the next phase with nine community-based organizations aiding grantees in maximizing project impact.
The application deadline for eligible local governments is October 31, 2024; Tribes have until May 31, 2025.
