WASHINGTON, D.C.-As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced its fourth round of award recipients through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program. The EECBG Program will distribute $17.28 million to four states, 23 local governments, 2 Tribes, and the territory of Guam to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and lower overall energy use to help save residents money on energy in the long run. The EECBG Program, through the DOE Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) and funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (2021), is designed to fund a wide range of energy efficiency and decarbonization projects. Through the program, 1,878 local governments, 774 Tribes, 5 territories, the District of Columbia, and all 50 states are eligible to receive these formula funds. The program funding is highly flexible, with over 14 categories of eligible use, allowing grantees to invest in projects that align with efforts already in motion to lower energy costs, plan for a clean energy future, and reduce energy burden.
“Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Department of Energy is continuing to meet communities where they are, and support them where they need it the most,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm. “Our EECBG Program can help communities fund work that they have been hoping to complete, like upgrading to LED streetlights or adding public EV infrastructure. These dollars fit right into the energy plans that cities, counties, Tribes, and states already have to ensure they are set up for success as they pursue a clean energy future.”
This is the fourth tranche of formula awards granted to EECBG Program eligible entities. Since the first awards were announced in October 2023, the EECBG Program has awarded $91.51 million to 97 communities.
This month, grantees will use EECBG Program funds to solarize schools, develop electric transportation incentive programs, provide funding for energy retrofits on low-income homes, make essential energy efficiency upgrades on municipal buildings and facilities, install renewable energy systems at schools, and more.