Energy Efficiency And Conservation Block Grant Program (eecbg) (81.128)

Program

81.128 Energy Efficiency And Conservation Block Grant Program (eecbg)

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Energy

Authorization

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (�EECBG�) was authorized in Title V, Subtitle E of the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA), signed into Public Law (PL 110-140) on December 19, 2007.

Program Number

81.128

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

The program provides financial and technical assistance to assist State and local governments create and implement a variety of energy efficiency and conservation projects. The program�s objectives are:
* To reduce fossil fuel emissions created as a result of activities within the jurisdictions of eligible entities;
* To reduce the total energy use of the eligible entities; and
* To improve energy efficiency in the transportation, building, and other sectors.

Types of Assistance

Formula Grants; Project Grants (Special)

Uses and Use Restrictions

A wide variety of activities are eligible for use of the grant funds including:
* Developing/implementing an energy efficiency and conservation strategy and retaining technical consultant services to assist in the development of such a strategy.
* Conducting residential and commercial building energy audits.
* Establishing financial incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements (e.g., loan programs, rebate programs, waive permit fees.)
* Providing grants to nonprofit organizations to perform energy efficiency retrofits.
* Developing/implementing programs to conserve energy used in transportation (e.g., flex time by employees, satellite work centers, promotion of zoning requirements that promote energy efficient development, transportation infrastructure: bike lanes/pathways, pedestrian walkways, and synchronized traffic signals).
* Developing and implementing building codes and inspection services to promote building energy efficiency.
* Implementing energy distribution technologies.
* Developing public education programs to increase participation and efficiency rates for recycling programs.
* Purchasing/implementing technologies to reduce and capture methane and other greenhouse gases generated by landfills or similar sources.
* Installing light emitting diodes (LEDs).
* Developing, implementing, and installing renewable energy technologies on or in any government building.
* Any other activity as determined by the Secretary of Energy in consultation with the Secretaries of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

None

Beneficiary Eligibility

None

Credentials/Documentation

Compliance with Federal, State and local environmental statutes and regulations, as required under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

No preapplication form or conference is required by DOE. Consultation and assistance will be available from DOE in the preparation of the application. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Applications for the EECBG Program must be submitted through FedConnect to be considered for award.� Information on how to submit applications via FedConnect can be found at https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/PublicPages/FedConnect_Ready_Set_Go.pdf.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to verify successful transmission.

Award Procedure

States and eligible units of local governments and Tribes will submit applications for available allocation.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Deadlines are identified in the Funding Opportunity Announcement.

Appeals

As required under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Renewals

Renewals are subject to review by the DOE Project Management Center and the headquarters program office and subject to the availability of funds.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program.

Matching Requirements: There is no local match requirement for the EECBG, however leveraging of funds on the part of the recipient is encouraged.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Grant periods under this program will be eighteen months. Funds must be under contract within eighteen months. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: No information provided.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

No program reports are required. No cash reports are required. Quarterly project and financial status reports are required. Additional terms and conditions are invoked by ARRA 2009. A final report is required at the end of the contract period. In accordance with the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, EPACT 1992 and 2005, ARRA 2009 and DOE procurement procedures. A 10-year tracking and follow-up reporting mechanism may be required. As previously mentioned, quarterly financial reports are required. No performance monitoring is required.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. Audit requirements laid out in OMB Circular A-133 (Audits of States, Local Governments and Non-Profit Organizations) apply to the EECBG Program. This Circular can be accessed at the White House website, https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/index.html

Records

In accordance with the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and DOE procurement procedures.

Program Accomplishments

Not Applicable.

Financial Information

Account Identification

89-0331-2-1-272.

Obligations

(Formula Grants) FY 08 $0; FY 09 est $2,147,483,647; FY 10 est $0 - All obligations under this program will be made with Recovery Act funds.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Varies.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

As described under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Related Programs

81.041 State Energy Program; 81.042 Weatherization Assistance for Low-Income Persons

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Regional Agency Offices. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse 1-877-EERE-INFO or 1-877-337-3463 (Toll Free).

Headquarters Office

Weatherization and Intergovernmental Program, EE-2K, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, District of Columbia 20585 Phone: 1-877-337-3463

Web Site Address

http://https:www1.eere.energy.gov/informationcenter/

Examples of Funded Projects

Not Applicable.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

As described under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.