Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program administered by the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment (DWEE) provides funding to counties, cities, and villages in Nebraska to implement impactful and sustainable energy efficiency projects. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), this program seeks to help communities reduce energy use, improve energy efficiency, promote workforce development, and support long-term environmental and economic benefits. Eligible applicants are restricted to counties, cities, and villages within Nebraska that were not directly awarded funds by the DOE. Each eligible community may submit one application for a single project. Projects must be new (i.e., not started prior to award implementation), and recipients are expected to complete implementation by October 31, 2026. Applications will be assessed based on project scope, community benefit, and the overall quality of the submission, with awards capped at $100,000 per project. Successful applicants must demonstrate their community’s energy needs and submit detailed documentation and metrics with their proposals. The program also encourages a balance in awards across small, medium, and large Nebraska communities. Eligible projects include improvements to building envelopes (e.g., insulation, sealing, energy-efficient windows/doors), HVAC system upgrades, workforce development in energy efficiency, and upgrades to lighting in government buildings and infrastructure. Ancillary electrical system upgrades and wiring may also qualify. The program explicitly excludes new construction and the installation of infrastructure where none previously existed. Projects must adhere to federal regulations, including the Davis-Bacon Act, requiring prevailing wage compliance, and the Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA), which mandates that materials used in infrastructure must be U.S.-produced unless a waiver is granted. Applications must include a completed application form, the EECBG Program Budget Spreadsheet, and the Lighting and Project Metrics Template. Supporting documentation must also include at least one itemized bid with labor and material costs, relevant equipment data sheets, and compliance certificates where applicable. Specific NEPA environmental review, State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) review, and Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO) review may be required depending on project location and nature, particularly for projects in flood zones, wetlands, tribal lands, or historic buildings. The application deadline is April 15, 2026. Projects requiring NEPA or SHPO review should anticipate delays and plan submission accordingly. All recipients are required to submit quarterly progress reports through December 2026. Funds are distributed via subawards and may be submitted electronically to DWEE or by mail. Award recipients must be enrolled in Nebraska’s Electronic Funds Transfer system and comply with all applicable federal and state regulations. For inquiries or application submission, applicants may contact DWEE by email at [email protected] or by phone at 402-471-2186. The full application instructions, compliance guides, and required templates are available through the DWEE EECBG Program webpage.