DOE Announces $154 million in Funding for State Energy Programs
Yesterday, the Department of Energy (“DOE”) announced more than $154 million in Recovery Act funding to four states for their State Energy Programs (“SEPs”). The funds were awarded to California, Missouri, New Hampshire, and North Carolina. The funding is to be provided in two stages to the four states with the second stage requiring successful performance at the first level. The funding is to be utilized in the areas of energy efficiency, workforce training, education and related programs.
California will use its SEP funds to finance a statewide retrofit program, provide clean energy to buildings and facilities, and develop a public education and outreach program focusing on the advantages of energy efficiency. In addition, California will use its SEP funds to further develop a green workforce in the areas of energy efficiency and clean energy. After demonstrating success in the execution of its plan, California will receive additional funds of more than $113 million, for a total of $226 million.
Missouri will use its SEP funds to increase energy efficiency through various measures, including the expansion of existing home efficiency programs, building energy codes, and training programs. Missouri will also examine its most energy-intensive industrial/manufacturing sectors for energy-saving opportunities and will increase energy efficiency through a program that may include energy audits, rebates, and low-interest loans. After demonstrating success in the execution of its plan, Missouri will receive more than $28.6 million of additional funds, for a total of over $57 million.
New Hampshire will use its SEP funds to advance energy efficiency and renewable energy through building codes, competitive loans and grants, and financial and technical assistance to businesses and other institutions. New Hampshire will also support energy efficiency upgrades to colleges, universities, and state-owned buildings. After demonstrating success in the execution of its plan, New Hampshire will receive more than $12 million of additional funds, for a total of over $25.8 million.
North Carolina will use its SEP funds to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy through competitive grants, revolving loans, and education and training programs designed to encourage investment in energy-related technologies. The state will also establish a training program in its community colleges and universities to prepare workers for the green economy. After demonstrating success in the execution of its plan, North Carolina will receive $38 million of additional funds, for a total of $76 million.
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants - Formula Grants
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, provides over $2.7 billion in formula-based grants to states, U.S. territories, units of local government, and Indian tribes under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program.
The purpose of the EECBG Program is to assist eligible entities in creating and implementing strategies to:
- reduce fossil fuel emissions in a manner that is environmentally sustainable and, to the maximum extent practicable, maximizes benefits for local and regional communities;
- reduce the total energy use of the eligible entities; and
- improve energy efficiency in the building sector, the transportation sector, and other appropriate sectors.
The funding opportunity announcement (FOA) related to the EECBG has been recently amended. Originally, all applications had to be submitted through the FedConnect website, www.fedconnect.net. The most recent announcement to the FOA allows for applications to be submitted via email to eecbg@netl.doe.gov with the subject line "EECBG Application (Unique Identification Code)."
Show me the Money: $256 Million Investment to Improve Energy Efficiency
On June 1, 2009, the Department of Energy ("DOE") announced plans to deploy $256 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act ("Recovery Act") to be used to improve the energy efficiency of the American economy. Three recent DOE Funding Opportunity Announcements ("FOAs") have been issued in conjunction with this Recovery Act announcement. Additionally, a related FOA has been announced using funds appropriated outside of the Recovery Act. The recently announced funding will support projects in three areas: (1) sustainable energy infrastructure and energy efficient industrial technologies, (2) improved energy efficiency for information and communication technology and (3) advanced materials in support of clean energy technologies and energy-intensive processes.
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