The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the latest recipients of funding from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program. This initiative, part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda, will allocate over $17.7 million to 61 local and territorial governments to enhance energy efficiency, reduce climate pollution, and lower energy use.
Funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and managed by the DOE's Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP), the EECBG Program supports various energy efficiency and decarbonization projects nationwide. Communities are investing in projects that save energy, reduce climate pollution, and advance local energy goals.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm emphasized the importance of local efforts in America's clean energy transition: “The success of America’s clean energy transition will be found at the state and local level which is why President Biden and Vice President Harris have helped transform local clean energy plans into real, lasting actions.”
Since its inception in October 2023, the program has benefited 294 communities. The City of Livermore, CA was noted for using an EECBG Program Voucher to build an off-grid solar EV charger that also serves as emergency lighting during extreme weather events. DuPage County, IL installed lighting reducing energy consumption by 50% and conducted a workforce analysis for new job development.
Recent grantees plan diverse projects such as developing net-zero building roadmaps, enhancing recycling programs, launching residential rebate programs in disadvantaged communities, expanding bike lanes and pedestrian walkways, updating street lighting with LED technology, purchasing electric vehicles for municipal fleets, among others. These efforts align with the Justice40 Initiative aimed at ensuring that 40 percent of certain federal investment benefits flow to disadvantaged communities.
For instance, Atlanta will focus on municipal building retrofits while Birmingham aims to establish a clean-energy apprenticeship program. Contra Costa plans upgrades for home-based childcare facilities transitioning from natural gas to electric appliances.
Other notable projects include Detroit's benchmarking assistance program for affordable housing owners; Euless' LED lighting upgrades at a sports complex; Greenville County's installation of single-stream recycling containers; Indianapolis' workforce training program auditing municipal buildings; Jonesboro's infrastructure assessments; Largo's community classes on energy usage; Milwaukee's virtual emissions forecasting dashboard; Oklahoma City's resilient housing design competition; Pinal County's EV charging stations installation; Mount Pleasant's bike lane expansion; Rye's purchase of electric maintenance equipment.
Additionally announced were awards to territories like American Samoa ($1.55 million) along with several city and county governments across different states receiving varied amounts based on their project proposals.
The DOE provides technical assistance through Blueprints offering guides for implementing impactful clean energy projects. Eligible Tribal governments can apply until May 31, 2025.
