Arizona Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program
Units of local government included in the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 Census of Governments Survey, available at https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2024-
04/BIL%20SCEP%2040552%20EECBG_Application%20Instructions_April%202024%20upd
ate_4.30.pdf, are eligible to apply for EECBG funding. Per U.S. DOE, a “City” is defined to
include city-equivalent units of local government, such as a town, village, or other
municipality. A “County” is defined as a local government that is currently incorporated as a
county, has a governance structure with an elected official and governing body, is capable of
carrying out the activities outlined in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
(EISA), and meets the required population thresholds outlined in EISA.
Consistent with U.S. Department of Energy requirements, units of local government that were eligible for direct EECBG formula funding awards are NOT eligible under this RFGA.
Units of local governments included in the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 Census of
Governments Survey and not eligible for direct formula funding (i.e., listed in the U.S. DOE
Direct Formula Grant Funding Allocations to Local Governments for the EECBG Program)
are eligible to apply for funding under this RFGA.
Overview of the Arizona Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program
The purpose of the Arizona EECBG Program is to assist eligible local governments in creating and implementing strategies to:
● Reduce fossil fuel emissions in a manner that is environmentally sustainable and, to
the maximum extent practicable, maximizes benefits for local and regional communities;
● Reduce the total energy use of the eligible entities;
● Improve energy efficiency in the transportation sector, the building sector, and other appropriate sectors; and
● Build a clean and equitable energy economy that prioritizes disadvantaged
communities and promotes equity and inclusion in workforce opportunities and
deployment activities, consistent with the Justice40 Initiative.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021—also known as the Bipartisan
Infrastructure Law (BIL)—section 40552 provided funding for the Energy Efficiency and
Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program. The CFDA number assigned to the EECBG Program is 81.128. The Arizona Governor’s Office of Resiliency (OOR), which is the State Energy Office (SEO), received a formula allocation under the EECBG from the U.S. Department of Energy.
Consistent with USDOE requirements, at least sixty percent (60%) of the State’s formula allocation must be distributed to local governments that are ineligible for direct EECBG formula funding. The OOR is making funding available for specific categories of EECBG-allowable projects, as described in this Request for Grant Applications (RFGA).
Applicants should be aware that the funding made available through the EECBG program is subject to various federal requirements, including but not limited to, the Build America Buy America Act, the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts labor standards, and the National Environmental Protection Act:
● Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act: The BABA Requirement applies to articles,
materials, and supplies that are consumed in, incorporated into, or permanently affixed to
an EECBG-funded infrastructure project. Specifically, all iron and steel, all manufactured
products, and all construction materials used in the project must be produced in the
United States.1
● Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA): All projects funded, in whole or in part, by the
BIL that involve construction, alteration, or repair are required to follow Davis-Bacon
Act labor standards and comply with reporting requirements. Applications selected for
funding for construction, alteration, or repair projects are required to pay laborers and
mechanics the published prevailing wage, set by the U.S. Department of Labor through
wage determinations, on a weekly basis. Additionally, awarded subrecipients will be
required to maintain accurate records of hours worked and wages paid, and submit
certified payroll on a weekly basis in addition to other reporting to help ensure
compliance.2
● National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA): Compliance with the National
Environmental Protection Act is required to receive EECBG Program funds. For those
projects requiring NEPA review, the OOR will provide additional guidance for grantees
after the award process. Applicants should await further direction before obtaining
official NEPA review and approval.
Proposed local government activities to be supported by EECBG funding shall outline, in their proposal, the means by which subgrantees shall meet Justice40 requirements. Meeting Justice40 requirements shall be included in reporting submitted by subgrantees.
As the prime award for this funding was granted prior to October 1, 2024, these funds are not subject to the updated OMB Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance. These funds should be managed under Part 200 – Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR Part 200); Office of Management and Budget (OMB) at https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200?toc….
Eligible Activity Areas
Proposals may span a wide variety of technology areas including electric transportation,
renewable energy, and building efficiency and/or electrification. Applicants shall propose
programs and projects that align with one or more of the following eligible activity areas and
that will occur within the jurisdiction of the applying eligible entity:
1. Development and implementation of an energy efficiency and conservation strategy. The
activity must be for the development, in support of the development, or in support of the
implementation of a general strategy that outlines goals for energy efficiency or
conservation.
2. Retaining technical consultant services to assist the eligible entity in the development and
implementation of an energy efficiency and conservation strategy, including developing
methods to measure progress in achieving the goals identified in the strategy, and
developing and publishing annual reports, such as dissemination of energy plans and
progress updates.
3. Conducting residential and commercial building energy audits and/or energy usage
assessments, within the jurisdiction of the eligible entity.
4. The performance of energy efficiency retrofits. The retrofit may be of equipment (e.g., an
HVAC system and associated controls, appliances, or lighting) or a building. The retrofit
must result in energy savings (e.g., kwh/BTUs) or improved energy efficiency; must not be
for new construction or non-replacement equipment; and must occur within the jurisdiction
of the eligible entity.
5. Development and implementation of energy efficiency and conservation programs for
buildings and facilities within the jurisdiction of the eligible entity.
6. Development and implementation of programs to conserve energy used in transportation.
7. Development and implementation of building codes and inspection services to promote
building energy efficiency. The activity must be for the development, adoption and/or
implementation of building codes (including supporting the adoption and implementation
of model building energy codes or stretch codes), inspection services or
training/workshops to promote building energy efficiency.
8. Purchase and implementation of technologies to reduce, capture, and, to the maximum
extent practicable, use methane and other greenhouse gasses generated by landfills or
similar sources.
9. Replacement of traffic signals, street lighting, or street signs with energy efficient lighting
technologies. Generally, only the cost of the replacement lamp is eligible unless
replacement/upgrade of supporting structure (e.g., posts) is necessary to support the
replacement of the lamps. Regular maintenance is an ineligible cost.
10. Development, implementation, and installation on or in any government building of the
eligible entity of onsite renewable energy technology that generates electricity from
renewable resources, including solar energy, wind energy, fuel cells; and biomass.
Cost match is not required but it is encouraged.