Dive Brief:
- The Department of Energy is giving 61 local and territorial governments a total of more than $17.7 million for energy efficiency and decarbonization projects, the agency announced Thursday.
- This is the 10th round of formula awards given out through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, which announced its first funds for communities a little over a year ago.
- This round of grant recipients will develop road maps to promote net-zero buildings, support recycling programs, launch home energy efficiency rebate programs for disadvantaged residents, expand bike and pedestrian infrastructure, buy EVs for municipal fleets and more.
Dive Insight:
The 2021 infrastructure law funded the EECBG program with $550 million, tasking it with helping state, local and tribal governments reduce energy use and pollution from fossil fuels while boosting energy efficiency. It’s a “highly flexible” program that allows for a broad range of projects, DOE says.
“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,” Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said in a statement.
The projects this most recent round of awards is funding reflect the diverse ways localities are tackling climate action.
For example, Atlanta is using its funds for energy assessments, retrofits, benchmarking and certifications in its least energy-efficient buildings, which include a fire station and wellness center. Meanwhile, Indianapolis is spending its slice of federal dollars on a workforce training program that will teach students on the job how to perform energy audits on over 200 municipal buildings. The city of Largo, Florida, plans to host community classes to teach residents how to read energy bills, use smart devices and smart meters and pursue weatherization and home energy upgrades.
The program is no longer accepting applications from local governments for formula or competitive grants, but tribal governments have until May 31, 2025, to apply.
