Information on DOE Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants

February 12, 2009
Information courtesy of Department of Energy

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has asked that ICLEI share the latest information with local government members about the potential for a significant investment in the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG) as part of the economic stimulus package. The specific funding levels, eligibility requirements, and deadlines are currently being finalized as the stimulus legislation makes its way through Congress. In the meanwhile, please review this information provided by DOE.

Feb. 20 Update

Gil Sperling, the DOE official in charge of administering the EECBG, advises local governments to register with FedConnect now (see below), because DOE is getting ready to issue its public guidance for the program next week. Within two weeks, the actual formula that decides how dollars are apportioned to eligible entities should be published in the Federal Register.

By March 16 or 17, money should be apportioned to the agencies responsible for distributing the money to local governments (and states). Communities then will have 60 days to fill out their paperwork and submit it for funding. The current consensus is that within 90 days, local governments should have funds in hand.   Source: Ken Brown, Climate Communities

I. Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program Background

The Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA; Pub. L. No. 110-140), signed into law on December 19, 2007, created the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program. The Program as established by EISA is for federal grants to units of local government, Indian tribes, and states to reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions, and for improvements in energy efficiency.  The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) of the US Department of Energy will likely administer the EECBG Program.

• (b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the program shall be to assist
  eligible entities in implementing strategies—
  
  • (1) to reduce fossil fuel emissions created as a result of
    activities within the jurisdictions of eligible entities in a manner that—
    
    • (A) is environmentally sustainable; and
    • (B) to the maximum extent practicable, maximizes benefits for local and regional communities;
  • (2) to reduce the total energy use of the eligible entities;
    and
  • (3) to improve energy efficiency in—
    
    • (A) the transportation sector;
    • (B) the building sector; and
    • (C) other appropriate sectors.

II. Doing Business with the Federal Government

Each eligible grant recipient must become familiar with FedConnect, the mechanism for applying for the EECBG Program. The web link for submitting applications through FedConnect is:

https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/PublicPages/FedConnect_Ready_Set_Go.pdf.

Before submitting an application through FedConnect each organization must complete the following steps: 

• Step 1: Request a DUNS Number at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do
•  Step 2: Register with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR) at http://www.ccr.gov/
• Step 3: E-Business Point of Contact must register in FedConnect at https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/

Please allow 21 days to complete the registration process.

III. Eligibility

Please note that the eligibility requirements could change based on final passage of the Stimulus bill.  The information that follows is taken directly from EISA to help you understand whether you may be eligible for funding under this program.For the purpose of EECBG, an “eligible entity” is a State (which includes U.S. territories), an Indian tribe, and specified units of local government (cities and counties).  Specific definitions for eligibility are as follows:

States

For the purposes of the EECBG Program, the definition of a “State” includes the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Indian Tribes

The term “Indian tribe” has the meaning given in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b) which is any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (85 Stat. 688) [43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.], which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.

Eligible Units of Local Government

Cities

For the purposes of the EECBG Program, a city is an “eligible unit of local government” if it has a population of at least 35,000, or a population that causes the city to be 1 of the 10 highest-populated cities of the State in which it is located.

Counties

For the purposes of the EECBG Program, a county is an “eligible unit of local government” if it has a population of at least 200,000, or a population that causes the county to be 1 of the 10 highest-populated counties of the State in which it is located.