The State of Iowa received a direct federal allocation of funding to establish an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program. The EECBG program will be a competitive grant program consisting of a Community Fund and an Innovation Fund.
 
It is anticipated the EECBG program application will open early 2024 (January/February) in iowagrants.gov and will have a short application window. Therefore, potential applicants should be considering potential projects at this time. Here is a quick overview of the Community Fund and Innovation Fund. More details will be available when the application window opens in iowagrants.gov. Please share this information with potential applicants. Thank you.
 
Community Fund
Eligible applicants for the Community Fund are cities and counties that are not eligible to receive a formula EECBG direct allocation from the federal government.1 The Community Fund has a total of $1.2 million available for competitive grant awards to Iowa local governments for community-driven energy efficiency retrofit projects. Project awards may range from $50,000-$300,000. Projects must be completed by June 30, 2026. Project examples, include, but are not limited to, the following:
 

• Building energy assessment or audits plus energy efficiency upgrades
• Energy efficiency upgrades at wastewater or water supply facilities
• Replacement of traffic signals and streetlights to improve energy efficiency 

 
Cost share is not required for Community Fund applications, but applicants providing cost share will receive a scoring preference during application review. Project costs incurred before the approval of a grant award are not eligible. Eligible project costs include:
 

• Energy assessments/audits
• Developing and installing energy efficiency improvements
• Contracting for project development and/or implementation
• Direct administration costs
• Contracting for federal regulations compliance assistance

 
In support of the federal Justice40 Initiative, projects benefitting federal identified disadvantaged communities will receive a significant scoring preference during application review.
 
Construction or purchase of equipment cannot occur ahead of award selection and federal requirement clearance. The following federal requirements may apply to EECBG funded projects:

• National Environmental Policy Act
• Davis-Bacon Act
• Federal Procurement (2 CFR 200)
• Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)
• Build America, Buy America

 
Questions may be directed to Jeff Geerts, jeff.geerts@iowaeda.com or 515.348.6211.
 
1 Local governments receiving a direct federal allocation of EECBG funds and therefore NOT eligible to apply to the State of Iowa’s EECBG Community Fund are: Ames, Ankeny, Bettendorf, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Cerro Gordo County, Council Bluffs, Clinton County, Dallas County, Davenport, Des Moines , Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa City, Johnson County, Linn County, Marion, Marshall County, Muscatine County, Polk County, Sioux City, Urbandale, Waterloo, Warren County, and West Des Moines.
 
Innovation Fund
Eligible applicants for the Innovation Fund include local governments, nonprofits, and for-profit entities. The Innovation Fund has a total of $600,000 available for competitive grant awards ranging from $50,000 up to $600,000. Eligible project types include innovative energy efficiency and innovative renewable energy demonstration projects taking place in Iowa. Projects must be completed by June 30, 2026. Project examples may include, but are not limited to, the following:
 

• Demonstrating an innovative energy efficiency or renewable energy project, program, or technology new or underutilized in Iowa that is replicable and will share project information publicly
  
• Reducing fossil fuel emissions in a manner that is environmentally sustainable and, to the maximum extent practicable, maximizes benefits for local and regional communities
• Reducing total energy use
  
• Improving energy efficiency in transportation, building, or operations
  
• Building a clean and equitable energy economy that prioritizes disadvantaged communities and promotes equity and inclusion in workforce opportunities and deployment activities

 
A 50% cost share is required. Cost share may be a combination of cash and in-kind but must be at least 50% cash. Project costs incurred before the approval of a grant award are not eligible. Eligible costs include:
 

• Energy assessments/audits
• Developing and installing energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy systems
• Contracting for project development and/or implementation
• Direct administration costs
• Contracting for federal regulations compliance assistance

 
In support of the federal Justice40 Initiative, projects benefiting federal identified disadvantaged communities will receive a significant scoring preference during application review. Applicants are strongly encouraged to utilize any project applicable U.S. Department of Energy provided EECBG Blueprint. Blueprints outline key activities to drive project success. Following a Blueprint may also streamline National Environmental Policy Act requirements.
 
Construction or purchase of equipment cannot occur ahead of award selection and federal requirement clearance. The following federal requirements may apply to EECBG funded projects:

• National Environmental Policy Act
• Davis-Bacon Act
• Federal Procurement (2 CFR 200)
• Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)
• Build America, Buy America

 
Questions may be directed to Jeff Geerts, jeff.geerts@iowaeda.com or 515.348.6211.