Department of Energy Offering Recovery Act: Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants for Innovative Energy Programs

Eligibility under Topic 2:
In accordance with Section 546 of EISA 2007, only the following entities
may
apply for financial assistance under Topic 2: Unit of local government (or

Indian tribe) that is not an eligible entity; a governmental,
quasi-governmental, or non-governmental, not-for-profit organization
authorized
by and on behalf of a unit of local government (or Indian tribe) that is
not an
eligible entity; or a consortia of units of local governments (or Tribes)
that
are not eligible entities. States, formula-eligible units of local
government, and formula-eligible Indian tribes are not eligible to apply
for
Topic 2.
PLEASE NOTE: Only one application may be submitted by or on behalf of a
unit
of local government (or Indian tribe) that is not an eligible entity. If a

unit of local government (or Indian tribe) that is not an eligible entity
intends to use Recovery Act funding to support projects performed by
different
parts of the entity, the projects must be consolidated into a single
application.

See Funding Opportunity Announcement, Section III, for detailed eligibility

information.

Eligibility under Topic 2:
In accordance with Section 546 of EISA 2007, only the following entities
may
apply for financial assistance under Topic 2: Unit of local government (or

Indian tribe) that is not an eligible entity; a governmental,
quasi-governmental, or non-governmental, not-for-profit organization
authorized
by and on behalf of a unit of local government (or Indian tribe) that is
not an
eligible entity; or a consortia of units of local governments (or Tribes)
that
are not eligible entities. States, formula-eligible units of local
government, and formula-eligible Indian tribes are not eligible to apply
for
Topic 2.
PLEASE NOTE: Only one application may be submitted by or on behalf of a
unit
of local government (or Indian tribe) that is not an eligible entity. If a

unit of local government (or Indian tribe) that is not an eligible entity
intends to use Recovery Act funding to support projects performed by
different
parts of the entity, the projects must be consolidated into a single
application.

See Funding Opportunity Announcement, Section III, for detailed eligibility

information.

Eligibility under Topic 2:
In accordance with Section 546 of EISA 2007, only the following entities
may
apply for financial assistance under Topic 2: Unit of local government (or

Indian tribe) that is not an eligible entity; a governmental,
quasi-governmental, or non-governmental, not-for-profit organization
authorized
by and on behalf of a unit of local government (or Indian tribe) that is
not an
eligible entity; or a consortia of units of local governments (or Tribes)
that
are not eligible entities. States, formula-eligible units of local
government, and formula-eligible Indian tribes are not eligible to apply
for
Topic 2.
PLEASE NOTE: Only one application may be submitted by or on behalf of a
unit
of local government (or Indian tribe) that is not an eligible entity. If a

unit of local government (or Indian tribe) that is not an eligible entity
intends to use Recovery Act funding to support projects performed by
different
parts of the entity, the projects must be consolidated into a single
application.

See Funding Opportunity Announcement, Section III, for detailed eligibility

information.

Eligibility under Topic 2:
In accordance with Section 546 of EISA 2007, only the following entities
may
apply for financial assistance under Topic 2: Unit of local government (or

Indian tribe) that is not an eligible entity; a governmental,
quasi-governmental, or non-governmental, not-for-profit organization
authorized
by and on behalf of a unit of local government (or Indian tribe) that is
not an
eligible entity; or a consortia of units of local governments (or Tribes)
that
are not eligible entities. States, formula-eligible units of local
government, and formula-eligible Indian tribes are not eligible to apply
for
Topic 2.
PLEASE NOTE: Only one application may be submitted by or on behalf of a
unit
of local government (or Indian tribe) that is not an eligible entity. If a

unit of local government (or Indian tribe) that is not an eligible entity
intends to use Recovery Act funding to support projects performed by
different
parts of the entity, the projects must be consolidated into a single
application.

See Funding Opportunity Announcement, Section III, for detailed eligibility

information.

Act. This FOA will use up to $453.72 million in Recovery Act Energy
Efficiency
and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funds for competitive grants awarded
in
two (2) topic areas. Topic 1, the Retrofit Ramp-up Program, provides up to

$390.04 million for programs of $5 to $75 million for 8 to 20 awards.
Topic 2,
The General Innovation Fund, is for competitive grants that are reserved
for
units of local government and state-recognized tribes not eligible for
direct
formula grants, as per the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
requirements. Topic 2 provides up to $63.68 million (approximately 2
percent
of $3.2 billion) for projects of $1 to $5 million for 15 to 60 awards.

The goal of this competitive FOA is to stimulate activities that move
beyond
traditional public awareness campaigns, program maintenance, demonstration
projects, and other one-time strategies and projects. DOE seeks to
stimulate
activities and investments which can:
– Fundamentally and permanently transform energy markets in a way that
make
energy efficiency and renewable energy the options of first choice; and
– Sustain themselves beyond the grant monies and the grant period by
designing a viable strategy for program sustainability into the overall
program
plan.

In this FOA, DOE is seeking applications which:
– Leverage the participation and support of multiple local jurisdictions,
regional planning agencies, and state energy offices;
– Prioritize energy efficiency and/or energy conservation as first in the
loading order before investments are made in new generation; however, DOE
is
interested in applications that integrate cost-effective renewables with
efficiency.
– Move beyond the planning stage and ready for implementation;
– Clearly articulate and demonstrate the ability to achieve measurable
stretch
goals and that have the potential to make an impact at the regional or
national
level; and
– Maximize the creation and/or retention of jobs in the United
States.

receive formula-based funds, and consortia of these ineligible entities.

The EECBG Program was authorized in Title V, Subtitle E of the Energy
Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA), Public Law 110-140. The
Program
provides funds to States, U.S. territories, counties, Cities and Indian
Tribes
to reduce their energy use and fossil fuel emissions and improve energy
efficiency in the transportation, buildings and other appropriate sectors.

The Recovery Act appropriated $3.2 billion for the EECBG program, with
$400
million to be awarded on a competitive basis to entities that are eligible
to
receive formula-based funds. In addition, Section 546 of EISA stipulates
that
two (2) percent of total Program funding is reserved for competitive
awards to
units of local government (including Indian tribes) that are ineligible to

receive formula-based funds, and consortia of these ineligible entities.

DOE anticipates that a total of $453.72 million will be available for
competitive grants awarded through one (1) FOA with two (2) topic areas:
Topic
Area 1, The Retrofit Ramp-Up Program ; Topic Area 2, General Innovation
Fund
for Ineligible Entities . The eligible entities for up to $390.04 million

available under Topic 1 are the same as for the formula EECBG program:
States,
U.S. territories, counties, Cities, and Indian Tribes. The eligible
entities
for up to $63.68 million available under Topic 2 are units of local
government
and Indian tribes that are not eligible for the direct formula grants.

The purpose of this RFI is to solicit feedback on the proposed topic areas
and
evaluation criteria for the competitive awards for eligible entities, and
for
those that are not eligible for direct formula grants. This is a RFI and
not a
FOA; therefore, DOE is not accepting applications and is instead seeking
information from states, cities, counties, U.S. territories, Indian tribes
and
other interested parties on the assistance under the planned FOA.

A link to the full RFI is found by scrolling to the bottom of this page.

Responses to this RFI must be submitted by email to:
EECBG.Competitive.RFIcomments@emcbc.doe.gov no later than 5:00 PM Eastern
Time
on September 28, 2009. Responses must be provided as a Microsoft Word
(.doc)
attachment to the email, of no more than 3 pages in length, 12 point font,
1
inch margins. Only electronic responses will be accepted.

Parties interested in submitting a response to this RFI should first
review the
RFI Guidelines and the Topic Areas. Any information obtained as a result
of
this RFI is intended to be used by the Government on a non-attribution
basis
for program planning and procurement strategy development. DOE will
review and
consider all responses in their formulation of program strategies in the
pursuant FOA. Information or data that is restricted in any way or
limited for
use by the Government is not solicited and will not be considered. Please
do
not respond with any information you deem proprietary or confidential. DOE

will not respond to individual submissions or publish publicly a
compendium of
responses. This RFI serves as a one-way process for DOE to obtain
feedback on
its plans for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant
Competitive
Grants FOA.

A response to this RFI will not be viewed as a binding commitment to
develop or
pursue the project or ideas discussed. DOE may also decide at a later
date to
issue FOAs based on consideration of the feedback received from this RFI.

DOE will not pay for information provided under this RFI and there is no
guarantee that a project will be supported as a result of this RFI. This
RFI
is not accepting applications for financial assistance or financial
incentives. DOE has no obligation to respond to those who submit
comments,
and/or give any feedback on any decision made based on the comments
received.

DOE thanks you for your assistance and comments in helping to achieve the
goals
of the Recovery Act and the EECBG Program.