As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced its next round of award recipients through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program. The EECBG Program will distribute more than $17.7 million to 61 local and territorial governments to improve energy efficiency, reduce climate pollution, 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 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,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. ”The EECBG Program recognizes that climate solutions are not one-size fits all and provides localities with the tools needed to increase access to clean energy and boost energy resilience through community-led initiatives.”
This is the tenth tranche of formula awards granted to EECBG Program eligible entities. Since the first awards were announced in October 2023, 294 communities have benefited from the program. For example, the City of Livermore, CA was the first to use a EECBG Program Voucher to build an off-grid, solar EV charger that doubles as emergency lighting for the community during extreme weather events. DuPage County, IL has installed lighting that will reduce energy consumption by 50% and completed a clean energy workforce analysis that will contribute to developing new, good quality jobs for the community.
Grantees announced this month will develop net-zero building roadmaps, bolster recycling programs, launch residential energy efficiency rebate programs in disadvantaged communities, expand bike lanes and pedestrian walkways, update street and building lighting with LED technology, purchase electric vehicles and install charging infrastructure for municipal fleets, and more. This funding will advance the President’s Justice40 Initiative which sets the goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.