Program Purpose

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) Program, funded for the first time by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) of 2009, represents a Presidential priority to deploy the cheapest, cleanest, and most reliable energy technologies we have - energy efficiency and conservation - across the country. The Program, authorized in Title V, Subtitle E of the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) and signed into law on December 19, 2007, is modeled after the Community Development Block Grant program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It is intended to assist U.S. cities, counties, states, territories, and Indian tribes to develop, promote, implement, and manage energy efficiency and conservation projects and programs designed to:

•Reduce fossil fuel emissions;
•Reduce the total energy use of the eligible entities;
•Improve energy efficiency in the transportation, building, and other appropriate sectors; and
•Create and retain jobs.
Through formula and competitive grants, 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.

Click here to see Conservation Block Grant Monitoring Plan (PDF 635 KB). Download Adobe Reader.

Program Funding
Funding for the EECBG Program under the Recovery Act totals $3.2 billion. Of this amount, approximately $2.7 billion will be awarded through formula grants. In addition, approximately $454 million will be allocated through competitive grants, which will be awarded through a separate, future Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA). A request for information (RFI) has been released (September 14, 2009) for feedback from EECBG stakeholders on this planned FOA. The RFI closes on September 28, 2009. The remaining funds will be used to provide a suite of technical assistance tools to state, local, and tribal grantees.

 Cities and Counties
$1,880,310,000
States
$767,480,000
Indian Tribes
$54,836,200
Competitive Grants
$63,680,000
$390,040,000
DOE Technical Assistance
$45,000,000
 

Governments ineligible for direct formula grants from DOE are still eligible for competitive funds from DOE or program funds from their State Energy Office. To find contact information for your State Energy Office, visit the National Association of State Energy Officials at http://www.naseo.org.