DOE: $454M for "Retrofit Ramp-Ups" in Energy Efficiency
DOE: $354M for Efficiency Projects in 22 States
"H-Prize:" $1M for Improved Hydrogen Storage
DOE: $14.6M to Develop Water Power Technologies
DOE Recognizes Midwest Industrial Efficiency Leaders
DOE, EPA, Announce Green Power Leadership Awards
New Reports Emphasize the Monetary, Security Costs of Climate Change
DOE to Offer $454M for Energy Efficiency 'Retrofit Ramp-Ups'
To jump-start a shift toward greater energy efficiency across the US, DOE unveiled a new "Retrofit Ramp-Up" program, funded by $450 million in Recovery Act funds. The two-pronged effort aims to catalyze a nationwide energy efficiency upgrade that could save $100 million annually in utility bills for households and businesses. The goal of Retrofit Ramp-Up is to roll out energy efficiency to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses in a variety of U.S. communities.
The program kicks off with a Request for Information (RFI) that seeks comments on two portions of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program. The first and largest portion will offer up to $390 million for whole-neighborhood building retrofits. These will be competitively-selected projects that demonstrate a sustainable business model for providing cost-effective energy upgrades for a large percentage of the residential, commercial, and public buildings in a specific community.
Possible approaches could include innovative public/ private partnerships, utility retrofit and audit programs, alternative financing and retail partnerships. The program targets projects that make significant, long-term impacts on energy use and can serve as national role models for grassroots energy efficiency efforts.
DOE is also open to ideas about how to spend up to $64 million intended for local governments that weren't eligible to receive grants announced earlier this year. These funds are meant to help expand local energy efficiency efforts and reduce energy use in the commercial, residential, transportation, manufacturing, or industrial sectors.
Comments on both portions of the EECBG Program are due by September 28. A solicitation is expected to be released in early October, following the public comment period. See the DOE press release, the complete RFI, and the EECBG Program Web site.
DOE Delivers $354M for Energy Efficiency Projects in 22 States
DOE awarded $354 million from the ARRA to 22 states in support of energy efficiency and conservation activities. Under DOE's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program, these states will implement programs that lower energy use, reduce carbon pollution, and create green jobs locally.
The awards to the State Energy Offices will be used to support energy efficiency priorities on a state level as well as to fund local conservation projects in smaller cities and counties. At least 60% of each state's award will be passed through to local cities and counties not eligible for direct EECBG awards from DOE.
Eligible efforts include development of energy efficiency and conservation strategies, development and implementation of advanced building codes and inspections, creation of financial incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements, delivery of energy efficiency audits and retrofits, creation and implementation of transportation programs, and installation of renewable energy technologies on municipal buildings. See the DOE press release, and for a full list of awards to date, visit the EECBG Program Web site.
