OVERVIEW
The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act ( ARRA) includes $3.2 billion nationwide for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants ( EECBG) Program; California’s share is $351.5 million. EECBG funds can be used for development of local energy plans, energy assessments, as well as programs and other activities that result in long-term energy savings, provide jobs and transform markets.
Recommended cost-effective measures include, but are not limited to the following.
- Lighting retrofits and controls
- Street lighting and traffic signal retrofits
- Heating, ventilation and air conditioning ( HVAC) modifications and controls
- Automated energy management systems, motors, variable speed drives and pumps
- Water/wastewater system process and control retrofits
ALLOCATIONS and APPLICATION PROCESS
Large Cities and Counties
Some $302 million is available for large cities (population above 35,000) and counties (population above 200,000), to be allocated directly by the Department of Energy ( DOE) on a per capita basis. The deadline to submit applications to DOE was June 25, 2009. Municipalities who submitted applications by this deadline have begun receiving EECBG grant disbursements.
Eligible municipalities in the San Diego region are listed in the table below.
San Diego’s Large City and County of San Diego Allocations.
|
Local Government |
EECBG Allocation |
|
Carlsbad |
$938,900.00 |
|
Chula Vista |
$1,974,300.00 |
|
El Cajon |
$881,100.00 |
|
Encinitas |
$554,200.00 |
|
Escondido |
$1,273,300.00 |
|
La Mesa |
$506,200.00 |
|
National City |
$561,700.00 |
|
Oceanside |
$1,517,100.00 |
|
Poway |
$212,800.00 |
|
San Diego (City) |
$12,541,700.00 |
|
San Diego (County) |
$5,140,200.00 |
|
San Marcos |
$738,800.00 |
|
Santee |
$480,300.00 |
|
Vista |
$849,300.00 |
Small Cities and Counties
California’s small cities and small counties are also eligible to receive EECBG Program funding, totaling more than $30 million. These funds will be allocated on a per capita basis with a minimum of $25,000 for cities and $50,000 for counties. Local jurisdictions will also receive an unemployment adjustment so that communities hardest hit by the downturn in the economy will get more funds to help in their recovery. The EECBG application for smaller cities and counties was released October 8, 2009.
Small cities have until the first week of January 2010 to apply for ARRA funds. To assist applicants in completing their grant applications, the California Energy Commission has scheduled workshops in October and November. EECBG Guidelines and more information about the EECBG process is available online now at the CEC’s website at: www.energy.ca.gov/recovery/blockgrant.html.
Eligible small cities in the San Diego region are listed in the following table.
San Diego’s Small City Allocations.
|
Local Government |
EECBG Allocation |
|
Coronado |
$125,762 |
|
Del Mar |
$25,000 |
|
Imperial Beach |
$145,393 |
|
Lemon Grove |
$132,374 |
|
Solana Beach |
$70,365 |
Competitive Grant Option
The CEC may allocate additional EECBG funds for competitive grants. Receiving a formula-based EECBG grant will not affect eligibility to compete in a Competitive Grant Program. These program options are considered independent funding opportunities. The CEC will provide information on additional grant opportunities with EECBG funding through future CEC EECBG guidelines.
Leveraging ARRA Funding
Eligible municipal applicants are encouraged to pursue local utility rebates and incentives for energy and water efficiency projects to leverage the EECBG funds. Utility rebates and incentives can be researched at flexyourpower.org, San Diego Gas and Electric, and the San Diego County Water Authority.
