Funds will be deployed to advance crucial clean energy and infrastructure upgrades by state governments, local governments, and Tribes to reduce energy use, curb fossil fuel emissions, and improve energy efficiency. Together with other DOE initiatives, this program will support communities in the nation's clean energy transition and in meeting the administration's goal of a net-zero economy by 2050.
"Energy efficient upgrades are a surefire way to bring down costs and shore up resiliency for communities across the nation," said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm. "President Biden's Investing in America agenda is equipping local governments with funds to transform clean energy plans into real actions that deliver benefits in every corner of the country."
The awards announced this month include governments that will use EECBG Program funds to install EV charging infrastructure, develop e-bike incentive programs, conduct municipal building energy audits, provide efficiency retrofits and upgrades for low-income communities, and more.
Recipients include:
Chicago, Illinois, will undertake five activities that advance the city's Climate Action Plan and bring the benefits of the clean energy transition to disadvantaged communities. With the support of community-based organizations, the city will develop a strategic plan to reduce energy burdens, launch a building electrification campaign to connect residents with funding sources (e.g., DOE Home Energy Rebates), and perform energy audits and retrofits on city facilities. The city will also replace gas-powered vehicles in its municipal fleet with electric vehicles (EVs) and establish a pilot program to install public EV chargers in disadvantaged communities, emphasizing access for multifamily housing residents. (Award amount: $2,207,610)
Ewiiaapaayp Band of Kumeyaay Indians, California will contribute funds towards creating a strategic energy plan to join the local public utility power grid and increase renewable energy generation in the community. Currently, the tribe relies on propane generators as its primary power source. By making a plan to connect to the public utility grid and install renewable energy systems, the Tribe will take a critical step towards reducing energy costs and local emissions and bolstering energy resilience. (Award amount: $10,000)
Kentucky will establish a subgranting program for local governments to implement clean energy and energy efficiency initiatives. The program will prioritize solar energy storage, building retrofits, and recycling projects. It will emphasize investments that increase climate resilience in disaster-prone areas across the state. Further priority will be given to projects that reduce energy burdens and provide long-term benefits to disadvantaged communities, particularly those historically reliant on coal mining. (Award amount: $2,237,940)
View the complete list of EECBG Program-funded projects.
The application deadline for eligible local governments, including Puerto Rican municipios has been extended to October 31, 2024. The application deadline for Tribes was previously extended to May 31, 2025.
Local governments and Tribes have the option to apply for either traditional grants or vouchers for equipment rebates or technical assistance. DOE provides application support and assistance to communities interested in applying for a grant or voucher.
