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Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) 

Wisconsin American Recovery & Reinvestment Act LogoWisconsin has received $11.7 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grants through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Approximately $9.5 million of these funds will be awarded to local governments actively undertaking projects that improve energy efficiency and reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions.

EECBG WEBINAR

The Department of Commerce and the Office of Energy Independence held a Webinar on the EECBG Program and application process on September 28th, 2009. Individuals interested in viewing the Webinar may view the presentation at the following internet address:

http://media2.wi.gov/COMM/Viewer/?peid=d393c5ce-4958-41f6-bcca-ca0cabc34aa0
APPLICATION
ALL APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY 12:00 NOON, CST, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2009

Applications are now being accepted through the Commerce E-Grants system, an online application process found at:  http://egrants.commerce.wi.gov/eGrants/Login.aspx

The following documents will assist you in completing your application:
ELIGIBILITY

Eligible applicants must meet the following requirements:
  • Be a non-entitlement unit of government (county, city, village or town) that has not been allocated EECBG funds from the Federal Department of Energy or from an entitlement community.  For the purposes of this grant, a non-entitlement community is a municipality with less than 35,000 in population or a county with less than 200,000 in population.

  • Be in good standing with any existing award from Departments of Commerce, the Department of Natural Resources or the Public Service Commission.

  • The project to be financed with the funding must be completed within 12 months of receiving the award.
ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES

Commerce, in partnership with the State’s Office of Energy Independence, will provide these funds to local governments for the following activities:
  • Municipal Building Retrofits - Eligible projects include the installation of insulation, energy efficient windows, retrofitting of an existing heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) system to increase energy efficiency, and/or installing solar hot water.  Applicants can apply to do any or all of these activities.  Feasibility studies and energy efficiency plans will not be funded under this award. All equipment purchased under this grant must have an Energy Star or equivalent rating.
  • Energy Efficient or LED Light Replacement - Eligible projects include the purchase of LED or other energy efficient lighting technology to replace existing exterior or interior lights that are the responsibility of the local government.  Lighting that can be updated with simple CFL purchases do not qualify (as can be accomplished through Energy Star rebates). 
FUNDING

The maximum grant for any applicant is $225,000.  Up to three percent of the requested funds may be used for grant administration.
ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH FOCUS ON ENERGY

Focus on Energy provides incentives for many types of retrofits for eligible existing buildings (not everyone in Wisconsin is eligible). All incentive programs function as reimbursement programs after equipment has been purchased and installed. You should review the eligibility criteria for the incentive program prior to ordering equipment. (Note that in some cases you MUST work with Focus before you order equipment or you will be ineligible for incentives.)

For information on the Focus on Energy incentive program, see:  http://www.focusenergy.com/Incentives/Business .
For Focus on Energy eligibility, see:  http://www.focusonenergy.com/Resources/

Focus incentives only apply to projects that involves a Focus advisor. It is highly recommended that applicants seek funds from Focus in addition to EECBG. Please contact Focus before ordering any equipment.
CONTACT INFORMATION

Wisconsin Department of Commerce:  Jason Scott or (608) 261-7714
Office of Energy Independence:  Brian Driscoll or (608) 261-8146
E-Grant Technical Assistance: Audrey Chase or (608) 267-7200
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