Strategy #1

Link EECBG funding to a comprehensive climate and energy conservation plan

EECBG applicants are required to complete an “Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy” (EECS), which details how funds will be used and should demonstrate that applicants are thinking holistically about how this grant intersects with their broader climate goals. EECBG’s flexibility means cities have considerable latitude to tailor funding towards projects that meet their specific needs. Cities with existing climate action plans should reference those in their EECS, and ensure that there is synergy between the two documents.

Applicants should also consider using EECBG funds to create or update comprehensive climate change plans to incorporate renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean transportation, and resiliency components.

Strategy #2

Put environmental justice and community engagement at the core of your strategy 

Community buy-in is essential to ensuring that energy efficiency and conservation projects are designed effectively. Community engagement should be an ongoing piece of the EECBG application and implementation process. Particular attention should be paid to the needs of low-income or persistently disadvantaged households and neighborhoods, especially those that meet the Justice40 community criteria, since they bear a disproportionate burden of the costs of environmental pollutants, high energy prices, and climate change. 

Strategy #3

Partner with state and nearby local governments to expand your impact

Communities who want to maximize the impact of their EECBG funding can partner on an application and pool grant resources, a strategy that can be particularly effective for regional projects and for smaller towns and cities. 

For example, neighboring municipalities could partner to use EECBG funds to hire an energy auditor to serve both towns and assess energy use and efficiency. 

Real life example: The Resilient Mystic Collaborative, a partnership of twenty towns and cities in Massachusetts, applied together for a project that would mitigate the impacts of extreme heat in their region. 

Cities can also partner with their state for larger regional projects. 

Real life example: Chattanooga, TN partnered with the Tennessee Department of Transportation and a Department of Energy National Laboratory to develop an innovative “digital twin” (a type of simulation) strategy for reducing energy expenditures.

Ultimately, these types of partnerships can leverage EECBG funding as well as the combined expertise of partners to expand a project’s impact. 

Strategy #4

Use EECBG blueprints to guide your planning and strategy

The Department of Energy has created a series of EECBG Blueprints that are model programs and projects for many different eligible grant activities, such as energy planning, energy audits, fleet electrification and electric vehicles, and energy financing solutions. 

Strategy #5

Take advantage of technical assistance opportunities

The Department of Energy provides several EECBG-specific technical assistance offerings. For example, communities that would like assistance developing their EECS (described in more detail under strategy #1) can use the EECS template as a guide or work with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory for more tailored assistance. Recipients of EECBG grants can also access a suite of technical assistance services for financial analysis, policy and planning assistance, capacity building, and stakeholder engagement and coordination assistance that can expand the reach and amplify the impact of EECBG grant dollars, but many of these resources are available online as well.

Application deadline extended to October 31, 2024

EECBG Eligible Activities 

EECBG offers a variety of eligible activities so that applicants can choose which work best for their communities. 

• Strategy Development
• Technical Consultant Services
• Building Energy Audits
• Financial Incentive Programs
• Energy Efficiency Retrofits 
• Energy Efficiency and Conservation Programs for Buildings and Facilities
• Development and Implementation of Transportation Programs
• Building Codes and Inspections 
• Energy Distribution Technology for Energy Efficiency 
• Material Conservation Programs
• Reduction and Capture of Methane and Greenhouse Gases
• Traffic Signals and Street Lighting  
• Renewable Energy Technologies on Government Buildings 
• Programs for Financing, Purchasing, and Installing Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, and ZeroEmission Transportation (and associated infrastructure) Measures