Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grants Program (EECBG)

Capacity-building planning grants for local governments. Washington is passing through $2,046,501 in federal formula funding for the federal EECBG program to cities and counties ineligible for direct allocations from the federal Department of Energy.  In alignment with both the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s (BIL) Justice 40 and Washington’s HEAL Act priorities, cities and counties demonstrating the highest levels of need as shown on the DOE’s Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJEST) received priority.  No match funding is required. The program funds three types of pre-construction activities:

1. Public education programs developed to build public awareness and energy saving actions
2. Communities that work with consultants to develop plans and strategies for energy efficiency and conservation including financing, purchasing, and installing energy efficiency, renewable energy, and zero-emission transportation and associated infrastructure
3. Energy audits that are conducted on commercial and residential buildings

2024 awardees

Announcing the first group of Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant awards.

• $98,488 to Chelan County for a regional climate action plan. The Chelan County Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory will present a county-wide view with baseline data for use in regional planning and future action.
• $38,454 to City of College Place for a strategic energy plan for city buildings. The Energy Plan Blueprint will identify opportunities, projects and methods for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy use, produce reports, anticipate increased energy needs across city infrastructure, and produce reports and presentation materials.
• $160,000 to City of Des Moines for environmental analysis/engagement for planned electric ferry. The Electric Water Taxi Initiative will survey residents regarding their commuting habits and interest level in the proposed ferry service, and consider linkages with secondary transportation options. The economic and environmental analysis will be used by city administrators to determine the most appropriate type of water taxi service for the community.
• $15,563 for the City of Maple Valley to conduct an energy audit on the Public Works and Maintenance facilities. The objective is to replace current equipment that uses waste petroleum products for heating and lighting to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• $21,680 to City of Tukwila for electrification to reduce emissions at the city hall, community center and recreation facilities. The Parks & Golf Buildings Energy Audits will help the city plan for future measures to lower emissions impact on air and waterways and consideration of new energy sources.
• $317,325 to Island County for an energy audit and planning for new building systems for the county Law and Justice building, and Juvenile Detention Center. This is the first step in electrifying the building to improve indoor air quality and generate savings that can be re-directed to support a variety of social services.
• $110,000 to Kittitas County for conducting an energy audit for the courthouse/jail complex. The audit will establish an Energy Use Intensity baseline and identify potential energy saving retrofits.
• $110,000 to Jefferson County to promote C-PACER program, increase industrial energy efficiency. Cornerstone Commercial Audits Serving the Rural Economy will conduct energy audits for C-PACER participants on commercial structures to help retain commercial and historic assets in the community.
• $253,000 to Jefferson County to create energy efficient stock house plans. Do-it-Yourself Residential Plans will focus on energy efficiency, reducing community-wide emissions, and enabling low-income and middle-income households to build their own homes in an area with rapidly rising living costs.