Recovery Act Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants Formula Grants | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Recovery Act EECBG Formula Grants opportunity?

The Recovery Act Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) Formula Grants opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0000013) was a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) funding action supported by American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5) appropriations. It was structured to distribute stimulus funding quickly to eligible public-sector recipients using formula-based awards rather than a competitive selection process.

What was the main purpose of the EECBG Program?

The core purpose of the EECBG Program was to help eligible governments develop and carry out practical strategies that reduce fossil fuel emissions in an environmentally sustainable way while delivering the greatest feasible benefits to local and regional communities. In practical terms, it focused on planning and implementing projects that reduce energy use and improve energy efficiency, especially in buildings and transportation, and other areas where measurable energy savings and emissions reductions are appropriate.

Was this a competitive grant program?

No. This opportunity emphasized formula-based awards rather than a competitive process, consistent with the Recovery Act goal of rapid deployment of federal stimulus funds.

Who administered this funding opportunity?

DOE administered the opportunity through the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL).

What legal authority supported this opportunity?

This funding action used appropriations from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). The underlying legal authority for the EECBG program itself comes from the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA), Title V, Subtitle E.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was defined by statute. In accordance with Section 541 of EISA, eligible applicants included states, U.S. territories, Indian tribes, and units of local government (such as cities and counties and equivalent entities). The opportunity materials also referenced "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)," but the statutory categories described above were central and the program was oriented toward governmental entities rather than private companies or individuals.

Were private companies or individuals eligible to apply?

Based on the statutory framing described in the opportunity materials, eligibility centered on governmental entities (states, territories, tribes, and units of local government). The information provided does not indicate that private companies or individuals were intended applicants under the primary statutory eligibility categories.

What types of projects was the program intended to support?

The program emphasized real-world implementation of strategies that reduce energy use and cut fossil fuel emissions. It is commonly associated with energy efficiency upgrades in public facilities, community-scale efficiency initiatives, and planning or policy actions that enable long-term reductions in energy consumption and emissions, particularly across buildings and transportation.

What was the CFDA number for this program?

The opportunity referenced CFDA 81.128, Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program.

Was cost sharing or a funding match required?

No. The opportunity did not require cost sharing or matching funds, which aligned with the Recovery Act objective of lowering barriers and moving funds quickly.

What were the award minimum and maximum amounts?

The award floor and ceiling were both listed as 0. This reflected that award amounts were determined by statutory formula and DOE allocations rather than a typical competitive grant range published in advance.

What were the key dates for this opportunity?

The posted date was March 26, 2009. The original closing date was June 25, 2009, and the revised closing date was August 10, 2009. The opportunity was later archived on November 26, 2009.

Why does the record show a creation date of June 24, 2010 if it was posted in 2009?

The record shows a creation date of June 24, 2010, which typically indicates when the listing record was created or updated in the system rather than when the program was initially launched (which is reflected by the 2009 posted date and closing dates).

Is this opportunity still open?

No. The information provided indicates the opportunity was archived on November 26, 2009, and the revised closing date was August 10, 2009.

What should applicants do if they had access or submission-platform issues?

The opportunity materials directed users with access issues or submission-platform problems to the FedConnect HelpDesk at support@fedconnect.net.

Who were the program contacts listed for this opportunity?

The materials listed program contacts including Lisa Kuzniar and Susan Miltenberger at NETL. Susan Miltenberger's email was provided as Susan.Miltenberger@netl.doe.gov.

What was the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this grant?

The Funding Opportunity Number was DE-FOA-0000013.

How did the Recovery Act influence the design of this grant?

The opportunity was created using Recovery Act appropriations and was designed to move federal stimulus funding quickly to eligible public-sector recipients through formula-based awards, with the goal of accelerating state and local energy projects that reduce energy use and cut fossil fuel emissions.

What kind of recipient was this program primarily meant to fund?

Based on the information provided, it was primarily targeted to eligible public-sector recipients (government entities) rather than private-sector applicants.

What was the stated environmental and community focus of the program?

The program focused on reducing fossil fuel emissions in an environmentally sustainable way while delivering the greatest feasible benefits to local and regional communities, through practical energy efficiency and conservation strategies.