Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG)

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) is sponsored by Utah Office of Energy Development (OED) (via Department of Energy). This program provides support for eligible energy efficiency projects to government entities in Utah. The purpose is to install energy efficiency and conservation projects at the local and regional level, helping reduce energy use and carbon emissions.

EECBG - Office of Energy Development Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Official Deadline : November 15, 2024, 5:00 p. m. MST The Utah Office of Energy Development (OED) has received Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funding to provide support for eligible energy efficiency projects to government entities in the State of Utah.

The purpose of this grant is to install energy efficiency and conservation projects at the local and regional level, to help reduce energy use and carbon emissions. Applicants can apply for an energy audit, a retrofit project, or both. About 40% of OED's funding will be allocated to projects in Justice40 areas , as required by federal guidelines.

In order to be considered eligible for this grant, an organization must Be based in the State of Utah. The audit/retrofit project must be done on facilities located in the state of Utah. Be a local government entity in Utah, who is not eligible for formula funding through the Department of Energy’s EECBG program.

Eligible organizations include cities, counties , special districts, and other municipalities as stated above. Have a current (within 3 years) energy audit, apply for an audit through Rocky Mountain Power (if within territory), or request an audit as part of their application. Submit only one grant application per project.

▸ If we are using other grant funds do we need to reference them? A: If you are using other grant funds please provide the relevant information. We cannot stack the federal funds onto the same project.

However, if the work is occurring on the building, but is a different aspect not being funded then we can still award funding toward that element. ▸ If we have a project with several energy components, do we apply with an open application with several elements or apply separately for each component? If the projects are in the same building please only submit one application but include all elements.

However, if the projects are in separate buildings, we do ask that you submit two applications. ▸ If we are not in the Rocky Mountain Power area, should we do a request for an audit or just the project? This application is open to energy audits, retrofits, or a combination of both.

If you are not in the RMP area, please include both the energy audit request and the project request. We will be contracting with an energy audit firm to provide this service. ▸ What is the timeline for when funds need to be spent if awarded?

We ask that the projects be completed within three years. ▸ Looking at the application, there is a page dedicated to each question. Are we limited to these pages, or can we expand with detailed description?

The areas in the application should expand to allow you more room. If you would like to attach additional pages that is acceptable as well. ▸ If we are using Rocky Mountain Power for our audit do we put on the application that we are doing so?

Yes. Even if not your project is not awarded, we recommend doing the audit from Rocky Mountain Power because they can give so much information and even provide low or no-cost recommendations ▸ Is updating lighting an eligible project? Yes.

Lighting upgrades related to energy efficiency are allowable. Both building lighting and street lighting are eligible. ▸ What are the audit requirements?

I would like to better understand the audit details to consider if that is something the cities already have. Several cities account for energy efficiency programs as a part of an annual review form. Our narrative states that we require an ASHRAE Level 2 audit.

We are requiring the audit to give us necessary metrics to report per our grant contracts. ▸ Since these municipal utilities would not be eligible for the Rocky Mountain Power wattsmart program, would the only option be to include the audit as a part of the grant application proposal? I believe there is an approved list of energy auditors.

Would we have access to that approved list to possibly get quotes and give more accurate budget figures? The Office of Energy Development does not have an approved list of energy auditing firms. Please include the request for an audit in your application.

We will be contracting with a firm to perform all audits that are approved for funding. ▸ Was the kickoff meeting recorded? No. We did not record the meeting.

The slides have been uploaded along with this Q&A. ▸ I looked over the funding and it states we need an audit through Rocky Mountain Power. They are not our provider here.

All of our electrical needs go through Bridger Valley Electric in Wyoming. Would we still be eligible to apply? As you are out of Rocky Mountain Power territory, you can apply for both audit funding and funding for your project.

We just asked that RMP customers utilize that service to free up additional funds for eligible entities who do not have that option. It does not matter where the utility is located as long as the project is within Utah. ▸ Does the energy efficiency program apply to buildings and water/wastewater pumps etc.?

Is it funding for efficiency projects or just tax credits as we are a municipal agency? The funding is for energy efficiency projects and is NOT a tax credit. Any retrofit project that can show energy efficiency as a result is eligible.

We are requiring an energy audit to verify that savings should happen, but we are providing funding for that if needed. As long as you are on the list of eligible applicants you can apply. ▸ Would installing solar panels to a town hall be an eligible project?

Solar panels are not an eligible project. Energy efficiency retrofits are our priority. ▸ Is there a match requirement for EECBG?

No, there is not a match requirement. ▸ If the wiring is very outdated and inefficient, would this be an eligible project? Would roofing repairs be eligible?

It would depend on whether we can provide a baseline with metrics to show the energy efficiency component. We would have to look at these on a case by case basis. ▸ Would projects replacing traffic signals and street lighting with energy efficient lighting technologies be eligible for the grant?

Our narrative specifies “retrofits”. Retrofitting traffic signals and street lighting with EE lighting technologies would be eligible based on that wording. We will still need to have an energy audit to show that we are providing energy efficiency and for our reporting.

▸ Are solar projects eligible? No. Solar is not an eligible project under the grant. ▸ Should the energy audit include all facilities and fixtures city-wide?

Or if the project is specific to retrofitting street lights should the audit just be for the specific project? The energy audit will just be for the building the project is being requested for or for the lighting you are planning to upgrade. ▸ We're seeing most audit quotes ask for size, number, and acreage.

We would like to ensure we use an accurate budget estimate. You are not required to budget for the audit. We will be contracting that to an energy auditing firm to provide those services.

Download Power Point Presentation Energy audits are key activities to identify potential energy-saving opportunities in buildings and provide the technical and financial information (e.g., upfront costs, ongoing costs, projected energy savings, return on investment, etc.) that decision-makers need to evaluate and approve energy efficiency, electrification, and grid interactivity retrofits.

Retrofitting existing buildings presents an opportunity to improve the energy performance and operational costs of building assets, including heating, cooling and ventilation (HVAC) systems and equipment, lighting and control systems, and the building envelope, while improving occupant control (such as with grid-interactive technologies). Retrofits also offer a chance to invest in energy-burdened and underinvested areas.