Energy Audit

Written By William Tisdale

What is the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program?

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program represents a Presidential priority to invest in the cheapest, cleanest and most reliable energy technologies we have – energy efficiency and conservation – which can be deployed immediately. Through formula and competitive grants to U.S. cities, counties, states, territories, and Indian tribes, the program empowers local communities to make strategic investments to meet the nation’s long-term goals for energy independence and leadership on climate change. The EECBG program assists state, local, and tribal governments in implementing strategies to:

  • Reduce fossil fuel emissions.

  • Reduce total energy use.

  • Improve energy efficiency in the transportation, building, and other appropriate sectors.

  • Additional purposes of the EECBG program are to spur economic growth and create and/or retain jobs under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009*.


How Does This Apply To You?

Over 2,300 state, local, and tribal governments are eligible for either direct formula or competitive grants from DOE (formula table included below), and to assure taxpayer dollars are used for their intended purposes the Recovery Act programs must meet specific goals and targets and contribute to improved performance on broad economic indicators. For EECBG program funds, grantees are required to report regularly to DOE on:

  • Jobs created and/or retained

  • Energy savings

  • Renewable energy capacity installed

  • Greenhouse gas emissions reduced

  • Funds leveraged

Formula Grants*: Up to $2.744 Billion

Cities and Counties:

  • Cities with a population of 35,000 or more

  • Counties with a population of 200,000 or more

  • The top ten highest populated cities and counties in each state, regardless of population

Indian Tribes

  • All Federally recognized Indian tribes and any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act

States

  • All states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Territories of American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands

*Includes training and technical assistance

Competitive Grants: Up to $456 million

Cities and Counties

  • Each state must subgrant at least 60% of its funding share to cities and counties ineligible for direct formula grants from DOE

Why partner with a Program Manager for Resource Efficiency and Renewable Energy Projects? 

Under the EECBG there are very specific eligible uses of the funds. It is important that the recipient local governments have developed a energy plan which is in alignment with the eligible uses. Essential in developing this energy plan is for the local government to partner with a Program Management firm with experience in (1)  assessing and auditing the energy enhanced needs of the facilities, (2) developing the scope of improvements, (3) preparing a budget for the improvements, and (4) identifying the appropriate energy efficient technologies. 

Importantly, under the EECBG,  the funds received can be used for retaining the technical consulting services of a Program Manager to assist the eligible entity in the development of an energy strategy.

William Tisdale