The US Department of Energy (DOE) announced awarding $12.1 million to three states and 14 local governments under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Programme. The benefitting governments will use the funds to conduct energy assessments and upgrades at community centers and schools, develop climate action plans, provide vouchers for e-bike purchases, launch solar incentive programs for low- and moderate-income households, and more.
This is the sixth tranche under the EECBG Programme. The first awards were announced in October 2023 and since then over $130.5 million have been awarded to 151 communities. The programme provides over $430 million in formula grant funding to 2,708 states, territories, local governments, and Tribes.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm said, “The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to lowering energy costs and increasing energy resilience for communities. Thanks to the President’s agenda, federal funding is going directly to state and local governments to help lessen the energy burdens felt across the nation and generate cleaner, cheaper power while creating a healthier environment for all.”
These projects will help advance state and local government’s efforts to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and lower overall energy usage. This funding will advance the Justice40 Initiative which sets the goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.
