Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG)

The U.S Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program received $3.2 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). This funding is distributed to Colorado's cities and counties and to the Governor’s Energy Office (GEO). The total EECBG allocation for the state of Colorado is $42,765,600.

• Direct allocation from DOE to 20 Colorado cities: $ 24,770,700
  Arvada, Aurora, Boulder, Broomfield, Castle Rock, Centennial, Colorado Springs, Commerce City, Denver, Fort Collins, Grand Junction, Greeley, Lakewood, Littleton, Longmont, Loveland, Parker, Pueblo, Thornton, Westminster
• Direct allocation from DOE to 10 Colorado counties: $ 8,254,500
  Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Douglas, El Paso, Garfield, Jefferson, Larimer, Mesa, Weld

• Direct allocation from DOE to 2 Colorado Indian tribes: $ 146,900
  Southern Ute and Mountain Ute

  To see a list of allocations by city, county and tribe click here.

The remaining $9,593,500 has been allocated by DOE to the GEO for statewide distribution. Of the $9,593,500, at least 60% ($5,756,100) must be distributed to cities and counties who do not receive a direct allocation of EECBG funding. The GEO submitted it's plan for these funds to the US Department of Energy on 6/26 and receive approval in October. Read the plan here (PDF 164 KB). The GEO will distribute a portion of this Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant funding through the Community Energy Coordinator Grant program. The GEO is now accepting applications for these grants from organizations who will employ a Community Energy Coordinator to develop and facilitate the implementation of a regional energy efficiency and conservation strategy. A total of 13 grants, ranging from $65,000 to $265,000 each, will be awarded through this Request for Applications. Find the application and more information on the Partnership Opportunities page under "Community Energy Coordinator Grants".

EECBG funds may be used for a variety of energy efficiency and conservation programs and projects, including but not limited to the following:

• Development of an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy
• Residential and Commercial Building Energy Audits
• Establish financial incentive programs and mechanisms for energy efficiency improvements such as energy saving performance contracting and revolving loan funds
• Energy Efficiency Retrofits
• Develop and implement energy efficiency and conservation programs for buildings and facilities within the jurisdiction of the entity
• Develop and implement programs to conserve energy used in transportation
• Develop and implement building codes and inspection services to promote building energy efficiency.
• Implement activities to increase participation and efficiency rates for material conservation programs, including source reduction, recycling, and recycled content procurement programs that lead to increases in energy efficiency
• Purchase and implement technologies to reduce, capture, and use methane and other greenhouse gases generated by landfills or similar waste-related sources, such as wastewater treatment plants, operations producing food waste, dairy farms and other animal operations
• Replace traffic signals and street lighting with energy efficient lighting technologies, including light emitting diodes (LED)

• Develop, implement, and install on or in any government building of the eligible entity onsite renewable energy technology that generates electricity from renewable resources, including solar energy; wind energy; fuel cells; and biomass

  If you represent a local government and are interested in learning more about these grants, please contact Angie Fyfe (303.866.2059) at the Governor's Energy Office.

For energy efficiency and renewable energy technical assistance and program development guidance, please contact your GEO regional representative.