September 2009

Small Cities and Counties–Get ready to apply for your Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) allocation provided by  the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  EECBG funds are non-competitive formula grants but they must be applied for.  Now that the California Energy Commission has adopted the Guidelines,  funding  solicitations will be released shortly.    Applications deadlines will be short and it is recommended to identify projects as soon as possible.  The application requires identification of cost effective energy efficiency projects or there is an option to purchase and install specified energy saving equipment.The Energy Commission must encumber the majority of the funds  within  180 days from September 14 when the U.S. Department of Energy approved the California Energy Commission’s application.  [Larger cities and counties should have applied for EECBG directly through the U.S. Department of Energy]. All projects must be completed and paid by September 2012.  In additions to completing the application, participants must have a Dun and Bradstreet DUNS number, a current Central Contractor Registration and meet the Single Audit Requirement.

These  ARRA funds can be leveraged with utility rebates and incentives for energy and water efficiency projects.  Sierra Nevada jurisdictions should contact the Sierra Business Council for more information on combining these funds.

The California Energy Commission has released the final draft version the State Energy Program Guidelines. The Energy Commission is to receive $226 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which is to be used to increase energy efficiency to reduce costs and consumptions, reduce reliance on imported energy, improve reliability, and reduce energy production impacts on the environment.  The Energy Commission will use the State Energy Program (SEP) funds to fund projects in the following program areas:

1.  Municipal Financing Program (”AB 811-type programs)

2.  California Comprehensive Residential Building Retrofit Program

3.  Municipal and Commercial Building Targeted Measure Retrofit Program

4.  Low Interest Energy Efficiency Financing Program

The Guidelines describe the manner in which the Energy Commission will implement the ARRA SEP for the four program areas.

The California Energy Commission is scheduled to decide on the guidelines on September 30th.  Following approval, solicitations for bids will be issued as early as October 1 with proposals due as early as November 5th, and winners announced as early as November 30th.  If on schedule, awards will be issued December 1 to January 31.