U.S. Department of Energy Awards $11 Million to 49 State, Local, and Tribal Governments to Support Community Energy Projects – CleanTechnica

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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced its next round of award recipients through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program.

Grants Will Fund Energy Infrastructure Projects in Communities Ranging from Energy Workforce Development Programs, Cost-saving building upgrades

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced its next round of award recipients through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program. The EECBG Program will distribute nearly $11.6 million to 49 state, local, and Tribal governments to improve energy efficiency, promote conservation, and lower overall energy use. Managed by the Department’s Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP), the EECBG Program is designed to fund a wide range of energy projects. Communities across the country are investing in projects and programs that save energy, reduce pollution, and advance local goals.

This is the eleventh tranche of formula awards granted to EECBG Program eligible entities. Since the first awards were announced in October 2023, 344 communities have benefited from the program. For example, earlier this year, Nashville, TN upgraded their courthouse’s thermal envelope and lighting to be more energy efficient — and are already tracking the cost savings. Rye, NY used their EECBG Program funding for electrified snow blowing equipment, saving on fuel costs for snow removal.

Grantees announced this month will develop energy plans to save money on municipal utility bills, update street and building lighting with LED technology to promote public safety, and conduct municipal building energy audits.

Learn more about what grantees in this tranche are doing with their funds below and on our website.

Bucks County, PA will promote public safety and energy efficiency with cost-saving upgrades to its Public Safety Training Center. The county will hire contractors to upgrade the HVAC system, insulation, and light fixtures. According to Buck County’s 2023 Local Climate Action Program Assessment, nearly 80% of county energy use originates from government buildings. Retrofits of facilities, like the planned renovation of the Public Safety Training Center, help the county reduce energy usage and utility costs. (Award amount: $404,580)

Edinburg, TX will develop a first-of-its-kind Energy Action Plan to assess the energy consumption of municipal buildings and establish energy efficiency goals and strategies. This long-term roadmap will guide the city toward reduced energy costs and improved resilience in public facilities. The project will follow EECBG Program Blueprint 1: Energy Planning. (Award amount: $153,020)

Florida will establish a competitive grant process to distribute funds to 15–20 local governments that are ineligible for EECBG Program formula funds from DOE. Eligible activities for these local governments include (but are not limited to) conducting residential and commercial building energy audits, establishing financial incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements, and developing and implementing programs to conserve energy used in transportation. It will follow key activities from EECBG Program Blueprint 2A: Energy Efficiency Energy Audits and Building Upgrades and Blueprint 4A: Electric Vehicles and Fleet Electrification | Department of Energy. (Award amount: $3,477,450)

Meridian, ID will create a Comprehensive Energy Strategy to reduce energy use and energy-related expenses while enhancing the city’s operational resilience. Following the EECBG Program Blueprint 1: Energy Planning, this approach will re-establish a baseline energy benchmark and build upon the city’s 2010 Strategic Plan. (Award amount: $162,570)

Murfreesboro, TN retrofitted streetlights by upgrading 20 high mast poles with a total of 145 luminaires to LEDs. These upgrades increase energy savings and improve lighting at critical interstate interchanges, enhancing safety. (Award amount: $174,290)

Summit County, UT plans to implement an energy audit to enhance the programing and environmental quality of the People’s Health Clinic. By identifying strategies to enhance efficiency and save money in facilities such as this one, the Summit County Health Department will be able to reinvest in community-serving programs. Many households in Summit County also face high energy burdens: by initiating the audit and retrofit process in government facilities, Summit County will begin to cultivate the institutional knowledge needed to further support households of constituents looking to do the same. (Award amount: $76,520)

Other awards announced today include:

City Governments:

• Addison Township, IL ($76,300)
• Alexandria, VA ($197,700)
• Allen, TX ($151,800)
• Cambridge, MA ($182,140)
• Casper, WY ($119,850)
• Coachella, CA ($76,350)
• Coon Rapids, MN ($121,480)
• Covina, CA ($111,630)
• East Providence, RI ($75,708)
• Gloucester Township, NJ ($121,580)
• Greensboro, NC ($314,150)
• Indio, CA ($140,950)
• Lakewood, CO ($194,050)
• Mount Vernon, WA ($76,250)
• Nashua, NH ($144,610)
• New Britain, CT ($129,710)
• Norfolk, NE ($75,890)
• Norwich, CT ($76,370)
• Reno, NV ($280,500)
• Renton, WA ($157,700)
• Salisbury, NC ($76,370)
• Sarasota, FL ($125,110)
• South Fulton, GA ($152,310)
• Spokane Valley, WA ($154,350)
• Sugar Land, TX ($164,210)
• Town of Clarkstown, NY ($140,000)
• Town of Greece, NY ($144,840)
• Town of Islip, NY ($328,290)
• Virginia Beach, VA ($418,550)
• Waltham, MA ($129,590)

County Governments:

• Dakota County, MN ($79,810)
• Delaware County, PA ($406,930)
• Kane County, IL ($286,090)
• Kent County, MI ($326,600)
• Luzerne County, PA ($287,780)
• Muscatine County, IA ($76,520)
• Oakland County, MI ($434,190)
• Orleans County, VT ($75,940)
• Strafford County, NH ($77,200)
• Umatilla County, OR ($77,740)
• Washington County, OR ($324,390)

Tribes

• Barona Group of The Capitan Grande Band of Mission Indians of the Barona Reservation, CA ($10,210)
• Coeur d’Alene Tribe, ID ($10,910)

View the complete list of projects to date on our website.

DOE offers extensive technical assistance to support EECBG Program grantees, including Blueprints and Blueprint Cohorts. Blueprints provide thirteen guides to implementing eligible and high-impact energy and energy efficiency projects and programs. Blueprint Cohorts offer EECBG Program-eligible communities the opportunity to gain insights from industry experts and other participating peers.

The EECBG Program application deadline for state and local governments has passed. The deadline for eligible Tribal governments to apply is May 31, 2025. Tribes can apply for either traditional grants or vouchers for equipment rebates and/or technical assistance. They can also apply as a team or via a Tribal Consortia (in which a third-party entity can administer the grant). For more Tribal-specific information, visit the EECBG Program Comprehensive Guide for Indian Tribes Webpage.