The U.S. Department of Energy announced guidance so that state, local, and Tribal governments can begin applying for funding through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program, and issued a Request for Information (RFI) for new Home Energy Rebate Programs. The EECBG Program opened applications for $430 million in formula grant funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for clean energy projects and programs in local communities, reaching more than 250 million Americans across the country. DOE also released an RFI seeking input on nearly $9 billion for the Home Energy Rebate Program, funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act that will provide record breaking funding to help Americans cut energy costs in their homes through energy efficiency and electrification of home appliances and equipment. Together these programs will provide funding to states, Tribes, and other entities to support households and communities in the nation’s clean energy transition and to meet the U.S.’s goal of a net-zero economy by 2050.
“Our states and communities are at the forefront of the clean energy revolution and are critical touchpoints with our nation’s consumers and businesses,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “With historic funding thanks to President Biden’s clean energy laws, more Americans will have easier access to realize cost savings through state-administered home energy rebates and community-centered, energy efficiency and electrification programs.”
Through the EECBG Program, DOE is providing $430 million to support community based clean energy programming in all 50 states, five U.S. territories, the District of Columbia, 774 Tribes, and 1,878 local governments. DOE today opened applications and provided guidance for the funding application process, and information on how communities can maximize program investments to best serve each community’s specific needs. Communities can use this flexible source of EECBG Program funding for a variety of projects, such as developing a clean energy strategy with measurable goals, making buildings and streetlights more energy-efficient, creating bike lanes, installing renewable energy on government buildings, funding a community solar campaign, or developing zero emissions building codes.
To learn more about the EECBG Program, DOE is hosting a series of webinars starting January 25, 2023, that will cover technical guidance on the application process, tips for making the most of EECBG Program funding, and strategies for building a clean and equitable energy economy that prioritizes disadvantaged communities. State applications are due by July 31, 2023. Local government and Tribal government applications are due by January 31, 2024.
Additionally, DOE issued a RFI for the Home Energy Rebate Program a new set of programs funded through the Inflation Reduction Act totaling nearly $9 billion. These programs will provide funding for states, territories, and Tribes to develop, implement, and enhance residential energy efficiency and electrification projects in U.S. households, saving consumers an estimated $1 billion annually in energy costs. The deadline to submit responses to the RFI is March 3, 2023 at 8 p.m. ET.
Through the Office of State and Community Energy Programs, DOE is overseeing the administration of these programs, and working to ensure that no communities are left behind in the transition to a clean energy future. These programs align with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, ensuring that 40 percent of the overall benefits of clean energy investments make a difference in communities that are energy burdened and historically underserved. For more information, visit the EECBG Program or the Home Energy Rebate Programs websites.
