Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program

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. SECO will receive approximately $45 million under the EECBG to administer to cities and counties not receiving direct EECBG allocations from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). See if your city or county received a direct EECBG allocation.

• Federal Amount Available: $3.2 billion, nationally
• Direct Allocations to "entitlement" Cities and Counties: $163,121,800
  (Cities over 35,000/Counties over 200,000)
• SECO Allocated: $45,638,100
  (Cities under 35,000/Counties under 200,000)

EECBG Applicant Information

The SECO Stimulus Division is currently reviewing applications and gathering information to move toward approvals. SECO will contact eligible cities and counties if additional information is required to complete the review.  

Once an application is approved, a contract will be offered with the Comptroller of Public Accounts (CPA) by the Contracts Section of CPA's General Counsel Division. The agreement will be e-mailed to the applicant for review and signature by the person named in the application as the authorized signatory. The agreement will be final and considered complete when the Authorized Official receives the returned agreement signed by the Deputy Comptroller on behalf of CPA.

Applicant Documents:	Date Posted
EECBG ARRA Compliance Letter (PDF, 69KB)	7/20/10
Application Status and Allocations for Eligible Cities (PDF, 389KB)	updated 6/21/11
Application Status and Allocations for Eligible Counties (PDF, 264KB)	updated 6/21/11
Sample Contract/Grant Agreement (PDF, 168KB) Please review in advance of receiving a customized agreement.	2/23/10

For further information, please feel free to reference the following:

• Technical Guidelines - Details on Texas Historical Commission guidance, ARRA Special Provisions, Energy Calculators & Software, Steps to Prepare for Funding, Reimbursement Procedures and an ARRA Recipient Affidavit (Updated 6/04/10)
• EECBG Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (Updated 6/04/10)
• EECBG Contracting FAQs (Updated 6/14/10)
• EECBG Tips (PDF, 260KB) - Information to help applicants prepare for EECBG funding. (Posted 2/12/10)
  

Program Status:

• SECO Comprehensive Application submitted to DOE 6/24/2009.
• DOE extended the application for direct formula funds for cities, counties, and Indian tribes to be accepted until 8/10/2009, 8:00 PM ET.
• Week of 8/31/09 - Comptroller Susan Combs sent out notification letters to all eligible "non-entitlement" cities and counties.
• Week of 9/14/09 - Department of Energy (DOE) approves the EECBG program for Texas.
• Week of 9/21/09 - Comptroller Susan Combs sent out official allocation packets to all eligible "non-entitlement" cities and counties.
• 12/15/09 - SECO posts Application materials.
• 12/22/09 - SECO posts final allocation amounts for city/county designees.
• 1/15/10 - Due date for Application materials.
• Current - SECO reviewing Applications. SECO will contact eligible cities and counties as necessary and will communicate exact EECBG timing and next steps once those details are established.

Program Purpose:

The EECBG program provides funds to units of local and state government, Indian tribes, and territories to develop and implement projects to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions in their communities. This program is administered by the Office of Weatherization and Intergovernmental Programs (WIP) in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) of the DOE.  While this program was authorized in Title V, Subtitle E of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (PDF) (EISA) and signed into Public Law (PL 110-140) on December 19, 2007, it is being funded for the first time through ARRA. 

The Program 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.

Use of Funds

Grants can be used for energy efficiency and conservation programs and projects community wide, as well as renewable energy installations on government buildings. Activities eligible for use of funds include:

• Building energy audits and retrofits
• Installation of distributed energy technologies including combined heat and power and district heating and cooling systems
• Installation of energy-efficient traffic signals and street lighting
• Installation of renewable energy technologies on government buildings

Legal Authority:
Federal Law: Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (PDF), Subtitle E, Sections 541-548