Arizona Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program, managed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), provides guidance and funding to eligible state, local, and tribal governments for energy efficiency, conservation, and fossil fuel reduction projects. Authorized under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and expanded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the program includes fourteen eligible activity categories and focuses on reducing energy use, fostering clean energy economies, and supporting disadvantaged communities as part of the Justice40 Initiative. The program allows activities across a broad spectrum, including strategy development, technical consulting, and building audits for energy efficiency. Eligible governments can use EECBG funds to develop energy strategies or conduct energy audits for both residential and commercial buildings within their jurisdictions. Financial incentives like rebates and revolving loan funds are available for residential, nonprofit, and governmental energy efficiency improvements, with some limitations. Local and tribal governments can allocate up to 20% of grant funds to establish revolving loan funds or to sub-grant to other organizations for program management. The program prioritizes equity by encouraging the inclusion of historically underserved communities in project planning and implementation. Funds may also be applied toward more direct improvements in public infrastructure, such as energy-efficient building retrofits, building code upgrades, and transportation energy conservation projects. For example, projects may include retrofitting government buildings for energy efficiency, adopting advanced building codes, adding public bike lanes, and purchasing electric or alternative-fuel vehicles for public fleets. Projects involving the replacement of traffic signals and street lighting must use high-efficiency technologies like LEDs. EECBG funds support projects that focus on renewable energy installations on or in government buildings. Governments can develop on-site solar, wind, biomass, and fuel cell energy generation systems to lower operational costs and improve energy resilience. For entities pursuing renewable energy and energy-efficient installations, Category 14 offers financing and rebate programs to leverage both public and private sector funds, promoting renewable energy and zero-emission transportation infrastructure. The DOE provides additional support through technical assistance resources, including a series of "Blueprints" for project planning and access to federal energy data platforms.