Grants for County governments - Energy

The Oregon Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program aims to reduce fossil fuel emissions, decrease overall community energy use, and improve energy efficiency across various sectors including transportation and buildings. This initiative is aligned with a broader mission to build a clean and equitable energy economy, specifically prioritizing disadvantaged communities and promoting equity and inclusion in workforce development and deployment activities. The program seeks to solicit subgrant applications from eligible local governments not already receiving direct EECBG formula grants from the U.S. Department of Energy, through a rolling selection process. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are Oregon units of local government and the communities they serve. The impact goals are centered on environmental sustainability and maximizing benefits to communities. Key objectives include reducing fossil fuel emissions in an environmentally sustainable manner, reducing a community's total energy use, and improving energy efficiency in transportation, buildings, and other sectors. A significant focus is placed on the Justice40 Initiative, ensuring that disadvantaged communities are prioritized in the transition to a clean energy economy. The program prioritizes projects related to energy efficiency, renewable energy, and transportation. The Oregon Department of Energy has approximately $1.2 million available for these grants, with individual grant amounts ranging from a minimum of $50,000 to a maximum of $100,000 for qualifying communities. The strategic priorities are clearly outlined through the objectives, emphasizing a holistic approach to energy conservation and equitable distribution of benefits. Expected outcomes include a measurable reduction in fossil fuel emissions and total energy consumption within participating communities. Improved energy efficiency in various sectors and the creation of equitable workforce opportunities in the clean energy sector are also anticipated. The grant duration for projects is generally 24 months from the date of the Performance Agreement, allowing sufficient time for implementation and completion of the energy-saving initiatives.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to municipalities and non-profit organizations in Connecticut for environmental assessment and cleanup of brownfield sites, particularly in underserved communities, to promote the creation of parks and recreational spaces.

This funding opportunity supports community-based organizations and public entities in Illinois to develop and plan community solar projects that benefit low-income households and historically disadvantaged communities.

The Energy CLASS (Champions Leading the Advancement of Sustainable Schools) Prize is a grant opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of Energy State and Community Energy Program Office (SCEP). The prize aims to support local education agencies in establishing and training energy managers to identify, plan, and implement efficiency and health upgrades in schools. With $80 million available, the grant will help schools across the country lower utility costs, improve indoor environmental quality, and reduce carbon emissions. The Energy CLASS Prize consists of two phases. In Phase 1, up to 25 selected LEAs will receive $100,000 in cash prizes to support participation in a 12-month training program. In Phase 2, participants will undergo 80-160 hours of online educational courses and receive one-on-one support and coaching related to building upgrades. At the end of Phase 2, participants can submit a progress report and a plan for future building upgrades for a chance to win a $50,000 bonus prize. To apply, LEAs need to submit a statement of need, letters of support, and demonstrate their commitment to making building energy upgrades. Interested applicants should review the official rules for complete application instructions. For updates or questions, applicants can subscribe on the HeroX platform or contact the Energy CLASS Prize team directly at [email protected].

This grant provides funding to distressed municipalities and registered non-profits in Connecticut to develop or improve urban green spaces and community gardens for public enjoyment and environmental education.

The Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation is offering grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and community organizations that provide services to improve the quality of life for residents of specific towns, with a focus on low-income and underserved individuals, in areas such as arts, culture, education, environment, health, and social services, while prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

This funding initiative provides financial support for the development of a floating offshore wind terminal at the Port of Long Beach, aimed at boosting California's renewable energy efforts and creating thousands of jobs in the green sector.

This program provides funding to local organizations in EPA Region 3 for projects that address environmental and health challenges in historically underserved communities.

This grant provides funding to public and nonprofit organizations in Michigan to implement solar energy projects that benefit low-income households by reducing their energy costs and promoting equitable access to clean energy solutions.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for businesses, nonprofits, and local governments in Washington to install Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations, particularly in areas where vehicles are parked for short durations, to improve air quality and promote clean transportation.

The Northeast SARE Professional Development Grant program aims to advance sustainable agriculture practices by enhancing the knowledge, awareness, skills, and attitudes of agricultural and other service providers. This directly aligns with the foundation's mission to support sustainable agriculture through education and professional development. The grant focuses on empowering professionals who work with farmers, enabling them to teach, advise, or assist in the adoption of sustainable methods. The program seeks to create a ripple effect, where trained service providers then apply their learned expertise to help farmers improve their agricultural practices, fostering a more sustainable food system within the Northeast region. The primary beneficiaries of this program are agricultural service providers, including those in non-profit organizations, colleges, universities, Cooperative Extension, and other entities that serve the farming community. Additionally, the program extends its reach to other service providers such as real estate agents, bankers, and attorneys, who can indirectly influence farmers. The overarching impact goal is to cultivate a more resilient and sustainable agricultural landscape in the Northeast by equipping these professionals with the necessary tools and knowledge. Expected outcomes include increased adoption of sustainable and climate-smart agricultural practices by farmers, improved ecological and economic resilience to climate change, and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The program prioritizes a wide array of topics, encompassing marketing and business, crop production, raising livestock, aquaculture, social sustainability, urban and Indigenous agriculture, and traditional ecological knowledge. A significant focus is placed on climate-smart agriculture practices, which are intended to improve ecological, social, and economic resilience to climate change. This includes practices such as reduced and no-till farming, cover cropping, prescribed grazing, ruminant feed management, manure management, fertilizer management, and on-farm energy efficiency. The program's strategic priorities are clearly aligned with addressing contemporary agricultural challenges through education and practical application. Northeast SARE actively encourages projects from, or in collaboration with, women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Furthermore, it encourages proposals from Minority Serving Institutions and other organizations in the Northeast that work with historically underserved communities, demonstrating a commitment to equity and inclusivity in agricultural development. The theory of change behind these priorities is that by supporting a diverse range of voices and institutions, the program can foster more innovative and equitable solutions for sustainable agriculture, leading to broader and more effective adoption of sustainable practices across the region. The expected measurable results include an increase in the number of service providers trained in sustainable agriculture, a documented increase in farmers adopting climate-smart practices, and the successful implementation of projects that demonstrate improved ecological, social, and economic resilience. Awards typically range from $30,000 to $150,000, with project lengths usually spanning 2 to 3 years, and a maximum allowed duration of 3.5 years. The program's geographical focus is exclusively on the Northeast region, which includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Vermont, and Washington, D.C., ensuring targeted and localized impact within this specific area.

This grant provides over $8 million to U.S.-based individuals and organizations for innovative projects that combine solar energy systems with cattle grazing to promote sustainable land use and support rural economies.

This funding opportunity supports community-based organizations in the Mid-Atlantic region to implement sustainable forestry initiatives that promote environmental justice, improve public health, and create green job opportunities in disadvantaged areas.

The Washington State Department of Commerce is offering a grant program to fund retrofitting existing facilities and related projects that aim to achieve energy and operational cost savings. The program is specifically designed to support public entities in Washington State. While the document does not explicitly state the Department of Commerce's broader mission or theory of change, it can be inferred that this grant aligns with a strategic priority to promote energy efficiency, reduce operational costs for public infrastructure, and contribute to environmental sustainability within the state. The program seeks to empower public agencies to invest in critical upgrades that benefit both their operational budgets and the broader community through reduced energy consumption. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant program are public entities within Washington State. This includes local agencies such as cities, towns, counties, special districts, municipal corporations, port districts, and authorities. Additionally, public higher education institutions, K-12 public school districts, state agencies, and federally-recognized tribes located within Washington are eligible to apply. The overarching impact goal is to enhance the energy efficiency of public facilities across the state, leading to long-term operational cost savings and a reduced environmental footprint. By investing in these entities, the program aims to create more sustainable and fiscally responsible public infrastructure. The grant program prioritizes a range of eligible activities focused on improving facility energy efficiency. These include, but are not limited to, HVAC replacement or upgrades, improvements to other mechanical systems, lighting enhancements, insulation upgrades, window replacements, and the purchase and installation of heat pump and geothermal heating systems. The program also supports broader campus or district energy efficiency measures. These priorities directly address the core objective of achieving significant energy and operational cost savings through tangible infrastructure improvements. The focus is on implementing proven technologies and strategies that yield measurable reductions in energy consumption. Expected outcomes of this grant program include a noticeable reduction in energy consumption and associated operational costs for public facilities throughout Washington State. Measurable results would likely include documented energy savings (e.g., kilowatt-hours saved, therms saved), reduced utility expenses, and potentially a decrease in carbon emissions. While specific metrics are not detailed in the provided text, the emphasis on "energy and operational cost savings" suggests a clear intention for quantifiable improvements. The grant's increased cap to $1 million, with a minimum project size of $100,000, indicates a commitment to funding substantial projects that can deliver significant and lasting impacts across the state's public infrastructure.

This initiative provides financial incentives for U.S.-based manufacturers of solar panels and inverters to achieve eco-friendly certification, promoting the development of sustainable solar products.

This program provides funding to local nonprofit organizations and government entities in Bend for projects that reduce pollution and enhance community resilience in line with the Community Climate Action Plan.

This fellowship program supports entrepreneurs in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area who are developing innovative solutions for climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resilience.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations, schools, churches, hospitals, and government entities in Arkansas to improve access to locally grown foods, particularly in underserved areas.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for U.S. institutions and organizations to develop innovative methods for identifying and safely sealing undocumented orphaned oil and gas wells, thereby reducing methane emissions and environmental risks.

The Equitable Building Decarbonization (EBD) Direct Install Program aims to distribute funds across Northern, Central, and Southern California to improve energy efficiency in low-income households. This involves installing electric appliances and related upgrades in single-family, multifamily, and manufactured homes within underresourced communities. The program emphasizes collaboration with community-based organizations to ensure culturally appropriate outreach and education. Applicants must exhibit expertise in residential building decarbonization.