The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program is designed to assist states, local governments, and Tribes in implementing strategies to reduce energy use, reduce fossil fuel emissions, and improve energy efficiency. The U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) announced that the application process is open to municipalities through January 2024.
There are 66 pre-eligible municipalities in New Jersey based on the final formula grant funding allocations of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021. A local government webinar will be held on Thursday, January 26, from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Advanced registration is required.
All eligible entities must complete a pre-award application sheet by April 28, 2023. Local governments have until Jan. 2024 to submit an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy to receive the formula funding. Local governments are encouraged to complete the optional Information Collection Form to stay in direct contact with DOE on EECBG.
The state will set up a system to distribute funds they receive from the EEBBG to municipalities with a population under 35,000. 60% of those funds must be distributed to local governments. Further, DOE will announce a program later this year where smaller municipalities can apply directly. We encourage you to think about partnering with other local governments to do so. Please read the National League of Cities, the League’s federal partner’s blog posts on maximizing EECBG funding and establishing partnerships.
Eligible uses for the EECBG grant include:
- Development and implementation of an energy efficiency and conservation strategy.
- Retaining technical consultant services to assist the eligible entity in developing such a strategy.
- Conducting residential and commercial building energy audits.
- Establishment of financial incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements.
- Provision of grants to nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies for the purpose of performing energy efficiency retrofits.
- Development and implementation of energy efficiency and conservation programs for buildings and facilities within the jurisdiction of the eligible entity.
- Development and implementation of programs to conserve energy used in transportation.
- Development and implementation of building codes and inspection services to promote energy efficiency.
- Application and implementation of energy distribution technologies that significantly increase energy efficiency.
- Activities to increase participation and efficiency rates for material conservation programs, including source reduction, recycling, and recycled content procurement programs that lead to increases in energy efficiency.
- Purchase and implementation of technologies to reduce, capture, and to the maximum extent practicable use methane and other greenhouse gases generated by landfills or similar sources.
- Replacement of traffic signals and street lighting with energy-efficient lighting technologies, including:
- Development, implementation, and installation on or in any government building of the eligible entity of onsite renewable energy technology that generates electricity from renewable resources.
- Programs for financing energy efficiency, renewable energy, and zero-emission transportation (and associated infrastructure), capital investments, projects, and programs, which may include loan programs and performance contracting programs, for leveraging additional public and private sector funds, and programs that allow rebates, grants, or other incentives for the purchase and installation of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and zero-emission transportation (and associated infrastructure) measures.
If your municipality is pre-eligible, we encourage you to share this information with your municipal professionals.
Contact: Paul Penna, ppenna@njlm.org or 609-695-3481, x110.