WASHINGTON, D.C.-As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced its latest round of award recipients through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program. The EECBG Program will distribute $16.9 million to 22 local governments and the state of New York to improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and lower overall energy use. Funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and managed by the Department’s Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP), the EECBG Program is designed to fund a wide range of energy efficiency and decarbonization projects. Communities across the country are investing in projects and programs that save energy, reduce climate pollution, and advance local energy goals.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to increasing access to clean energy and boosting energy resilience through community-led initiatives,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “The investments from the EECBG Program are increasing renewable energy capacity, prioritizing environmental justice initiatives, and accelerating the deployment of energy efficiency projects at the local level.”
Today marks the ninth tranche of formula awards granted to EECBG Program eligible entities. Since the first awards were announced in October 2023, the program has awarded nearly $180 million to 233 communities. Through the program, 1,878 local governments, 774 Tribes, 5 territories, the District of Columbia, and all 50 states are eligible to receive formula funds. The program is highly flexible, enabling entities to choose from 14 eligible categories of clean energy projects and programs to address clean energy goals.
Grantees will use EECBG Program funds to support low-income households through energy assessments and efficiency upgrades, to conduct electrification studies for municipal facilities, to purchase electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, to install solar arrays and battery storage systems, to leverage Energy Savings Performance Contracts, and more.