Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program is sponsored by Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE). Assists states, local governments, and tribes in implementing strategies to reduce energy use, reduce fossil fuel emissions, and improve energy efficiency.

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program | DWEE NE Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program assists States, local governments, and Tribes in implementing strategies to reduce energy use, reduce fossil fuel emissions, and improve energy efficiency. This grant supports local communities in implementing high-impact, self-sustaining clean energy projects.

Subawards will be granted to communities through a competitive process.

Eligible projects include improvements made to the building envelope of public structures such as replacement of less efficient windows and doors, and addition or replacement of weatherization measures and insulation; energy efficiency upgrades to existing heating, cooling, and ventilation systems, including programmable thermostats and electrical panel upgrades necessary for new equipment; energy efficiency workforce development and training; and upgrades to energy efficient lighting.

Status: 2026 grant recipients were announced July 14, 2026 .

Beatrice – $58,041 to fund energy efficient lighting in the city’s auditorium and police station Bloomfield – $71,682 to fund energy efficient lighting and windows in the city library Curtis – $87,871 to fund energy efficient streetlights on Highways 18 and 23 Emerson - $100,000 to fund a 500Kw (AC)/650Kw (DC) photovoltaic solar tracking facility at the village's wastewater treatment facility.

Glenvil - $55,434 to fund updates to sidewalks and pathways throughout the community Hickman – $100,000 to fund energy efficient streetlights and street signs Mitchell – $24,324 to fund energy efficient lighting at city hall, the police department, the senior center, and the library Nebraska City Utilities – $100,000 to fund energy efficient streetlights along the main streets or entrances to Bennet, Douglas, Palmyra, Unadilla, Otoe, Lorton, Julian and Brock.

North Platte – $100,000 to fund energy efficient lighting at city hall, fire stations #2 and #3, the rec center, the senior center, and the ball field Peru – $81,731 to fund energy efficient streetlights along the downtown/business district Shickley – $83,148 to fund energy efficient streetlights South Sioux City – $100,000 to fund energy efficient lighting at the ball field Wahoo – $100,000 to fund energy efficient streetlights Walthill – $51,696 to fund solar streetlights Arapahoe – $85,983 to fund upgrades to windows and the building envelope for the Ella Messing Community Center Cedar County – $25,397 to fund upgrades to lighting in the courthouse and associated buildings Dakota City – $37,537 to fund upgrades to lighting in four community buildings Fairbury – $79,826 to fund upgrades to lighting for the Quinn Baseball Field Knox County – $95,030 to fund energy efficient windows on the courthouse Oxford – $90,716 to fund upgraded lighting at the George Mitchell Park Ball Field Talmage – $32,479 to fund upgrades to the community street lights Wayne – $90,816 to fund upgrading park lights to energy efficient lighting Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant subaward information, including eligible applicants, funding amount, eligible projects, milestones and deadlines, program objectives, and contact information.

Program Information Details Subaward Eligible Applicants Nebraska counties and local communities are eligible to apply for subawards, including those that received first-round funding. Counties, cities, and tribes that received direct federal EECBG funding are not eligible for subawards from DWEE. Nebraska Funding Amount $1,779,420 Eligible Projects Upgrades to energy-efficient lighting.

Replacement of less efficient heating, cooling, and ventilation equipment with new energy-efficient equipment, including programmable thermostats and electrical panel upgrades necessary for installation of new equipment. Energy efficiency workforce development and training.

Energy efficiency improvements to the building envelope, including replacement of less efficient windows and doors, and the addition or replacement of weatherization and insulation. Application deadline for the formula award was July 31, 2023. Funds were awarded to DWEE on January 31, 2024.

The initial application period was open through April 30, 2024. Grant awards were announced on August 19, 2024 and November 12, 2024 . The second-round application period is open through April 15, 2026.

The 2026 awards will be decided by April 30, 2026. The 2026 awards were announce in July 2026 Assist in implementing strategies to reduce energy use and improve energy efficiency. Additional Information Please contact DWEE at 402-471-2186 or email dwee.

energy@nebraska. gov .