The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on June 28 awarded formula grants totaling roughly $4.34 million to the State of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program.
Overall, DOE awarded a total of $18.5 million in formula grants to four states and 20 local governments, which will use the federal funds to conduct energy assessments and efficiency upgrades at community centers and schools, install solar panels on municipal facilities, develop climate and energy plans, advance local recycling initiatives, and launch building electrification campaigns for individual households, among other uses.
“No one knows communities’ energy improvement needs better than the state and local governments,” said DOE Secretary Jennifer Granholm on Friday. “The Biden-Harris administration is helping support these ongoing efforts for a clean energy future for all.”
As part of President Joe Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the projects will be funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help advance efforts by state and local governments to improve energy efficiency, reduce climate pollution, and lower overall energy use, according to the DOE.
“These investments from the EECBG Program put state and local governments in the driver’s seat to reduce emissions, increase climate resiliency, and strengthen communities for generations to come,” Granholm said.
Pennsylvania will use its roughly $3.02 million grant to establish the Municipal Opportunities for Retrofits and Energy Efficiency (MORE) Program, which will help local governments access capital for long-term clean energy and energy efficiency projects via direct grants and loans.
With MORE grants, disadvantaged and financially distressed local governments can pursue energy assessments and project design to develop their MORE loan application. Municipalities also may use EECBG Program dollars to access MORE loans for capital-intensive retrofits and renewable energy projects, the DOE says, or use a MORE grant to buy-down the interest rate when borrowing a MORE loan.
The program will advance Pennsylvania’s goal to reduce emissions 80 percent by 2050 from 2005 levels, according to the department.
The other three states receiving awards are California, New Hampshire, and Utah.
The 20 local government grants awarded include a $1.32 million DOE award to Philadelphia, which will conduct four activities to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, including a Cool Roofs Program to help protect residents from extreme heat and reduce energy costs.
The city plans to build out the program by testing a pilot in one heat-island-affected community and by conducting research and stakeholder interviews with other cities with similar initiatives.
Philadelphia will also develop a comprehensive strategy to strengthen the city’s building decarbonization workforce and partner with grassroots organizations to promote public education on energy efficiency and clean energy technologies in energy-burdened communities.
Lastly, the city will enhance building energy management in more than 200 buildings across the city’s school district, including supporting utility management, renewable electricity sourcing, and improved data management to identify potential projects and track savings.
Other awards will go to San Antonio; Cobb County, GA; Dane County, WI; Prince George’s County, MD; Arlington County, VA; City of Arlington, TX; City of Beaumont, TX; Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK; Frederick County, MD; City of Grand Rapids, MI; City of Manchester, NH; City of Marlborough, MA; City of Miramar, FL; Montgomery County, PA; New Castle County, DE; Somerset County, ME; City of Sun Prairie, WI; City of Tampa, FL; and Tarrant County, TX.
The EECBG Program application deadline for eligible local governments is Oct. 31, and May 31, 2025, for tribes. Local governments and tribes may apply for either traditional grants or vouchers for equipment rebates and/or technical assistance. More information is available at the EECBG Program website.