Welcome to the California Energy Commission

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program


Amount Available: $3.2 Billion, nationally
California Energy Commission Allocated: $49.6 million

California was awarded $351.5 million for local governments to use for projects and programs to reduce total energy use. About $302 million goes directly to large cities and counties. The Energy Commission was awarded $49.6 million and is making 70 percent of these funds available to 265 small cities and 44 small counties on a per capita basis with an unemployment adjustment. Grants are a minimum of $25,000 for cities and $50,000 for counties. The remaining 30 percent will be expended at the Energy Commission's discretion. Currently the California Energy Commission has administered the EECBG funds as:

Bar graph of EECBG dollars


  • FUNDS COMMITTED ($1.1 million)
    • $1.1 million - Program Support
  • IN PROCESS ($36.2 million) - Applications available and Request for Proposals on the street
    • $34.7 million - Small Counties and Cities Block Grants - Applications are due January 12, 2010.
    • $1.5 million - Contracts - Auditing, measurement and evaluation contracts for ARRA program and projects. RFPs released November and December. Award January 2010.
  • REMAINING ($12.3 million)
    • $12.3 million - Unallocated


Applying for Your EECBG Funds

Deadline for cities and counties to submit their application for their Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG) is January 12, 2010.

Please access the solicitations and applications at: www.energy.ca.gov/contracts/recovery.html#eecbg.


Clarifying EECBG Grant Attachments

Two of the attachments to the EECBG application, Attachments B and E, are Excel workbooks with multiple worksheets.

Attachment B - Direct Purchases, contains two worksheets: "Instructions" (which comes up when opening the attachment) and "Attachment B" which is the sheet to be filled out. Please only fill out the worksheet "Attachment B". The worksheet "Instructions" requires no data input.

Attachment E - Budget Template, contains the two worksheets and an "Instructions" page (front page when opening the attachment), "Category Budget", and "Budget Details". Please fill out ONLY the worksheets "Category Budget" and "Budget Details". The worksheet "Instructions" requires no data input.

To view different worksheets in Excel, click the worksheet tab located in the bottom left corner of the workbook.


How to Expedite & Simplify Your EECBG Application

Cities and counties have options when filling out their block grant application - Energy Efficiency Projects or Direct Equipment Purchase. Here are some recommendations to help expedite your application.

Using the On-Line Calculator for Energy Efficiency Projects

If you are using your EECBG for energy efficiency projects, consider using the online calculator. This calculator will determine the cost effectiveness ratio of your projects and submitting the completed calculator workbook to the Energy Commission with your application will make reviewing easier and faster.

This calculator is a Microsoft Excel file with three different worksheets. The worksheets "Grant" and "Calculations" explain the calculator, and the bottom part of the worksheet "Calculator" is optional to complete. Do not fill in the top part of the worksheet "Calculator" - it is for example only. Only fill in the white-shaded cells. The yellow-shaded cells will calculate themselves based on the input data.

EECBG Energy Efficiency Calculator - Microsoft Excel spreadsheet for cities and counties to calculate the cost effectiveness ratio for their projects. Posted: 10/12/09. (Excel file, 60 kb)

Using the Direct Equipment Purchases List

For those local jurisdictions planning on using their EECBG funds to purchase equipment, a Direct Equipment Purchase List Cost-Effectiveness Calculation is available to assist them completing the application. This calculation includes lighting (indoor, traffic, parking and street) and mechanical/electric such as fans, boilers, vending machines and efficiency motors, and HVAC replacements (use the new separate Air Conditioner Guide).

Selecting an Air-Conditioning Unit - The Direct Equipment Purchases guide specifies that EECBG recipients can replace low-efficiency HVAC systems with high-efficiency systems. The Air Conditioner Guide provides recommendations on the minimum SEER or EER (energy efficiency ratings for HVAC system) jurisdictions should select based on the type and size of the chosen air conditioner.

Direct Equipment Purchase List Cost-Effectiveness Calculator - Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. Posted: 11/04/09. (Excel file, 60 kb)

Air Conditioner Guide - (PDF file, 1 page, 63 kb)

Guide to Replacing 32 Watt T8s with 28 Watt T8s

The Energy Commission recommends converting existing "rapid start" ballasts to "instant start" or "programmed start" ballasts for 28 Watt T8 Lamps.

"Instant start" ballasts consume 1.5 to 2 Watts less per lamp than "rapid start" ballasts and reduce lighting bills for the lamp by about 7 percent compared to other ballasts. Lamps in "instant start" ballast typically last 10,000 to 15,000 switch cycles (turning them on and off).

"Programmed start" ballasts have a lamp lifestyle of 50,000 switch cycles, however, they are wired in series so if one lamp fails, all of the lamps will turn off until the failed lamp is replaced. Regardless, "programmed start" ballasts are excellent for motion sensors or intermittently occupied rooms such as copy rooms or conference rooms that frequently have lighting turned on and off.

"Rapid start" ballasts use more electricity that "instant start" ballasts and are wired in a series like "programmed start" ballasts; however they have a lamp switch cycle of 15,000 to 20,000.


Getting a Head-Start on Terms & Conditions

The Energy Commission wants to process the local agencies loan and grant applications and fund their projects as quickly as possible. Once the Energy Commission approves the loan or grant, the funding package is returned to the Applicant for signature. This package includes the Terms and Conditions for state requirements and those necessary to comply with ARRA. To receive the funds, the applicant must agree to the Terms and Conditions and sign the form. Often, an applicant's legal staff is interested in reviewing this document before signature. This slows down the process of getting funds to recipients.

To expedite this process, the Energy Commission recommends that applicants and their legal staff download the terms and conditions that apply to their grant or loan and review them as soon as possible. This provides the Energy Commission staff an opportunity to answer questions from the local jurisdictions and allow pre-review of the Terms and Conditions before the grant or loan package must be signed.

The Terms and Conditions for EECBG, local jurisdiction Block Grants are at: www.energy.ca.gov/contracts/EECBG_application/2009-11-10_Terms_and_Conditions.pdf (PDF file)

The Terms and Conditions for ECAA 1 Percent Loans, funded through ARRA are at: www.energy.ca.gov/efficiency/financing/One_Percent_Loan_Exhibit_D.doc


Complying with Federal Requirements

All EECBG grant applications (PON-09-001) must include documentation to verify compliance with the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) requirements for the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).

NEPA - Attachments G and H explain the requirements and provide the forms all EECBG applicants must complete to verify compliance.

Attachment G - EECBG NEPA Compliance Form (Word file).

Attachment H - Environmental Questionnaire (Word file).

National Historic Preservation Act - DOE and the California State Historic Preservation Officer have provided additional guidance on the requirements to Attachment I. All applicants must review and follow the steps included in the NHPA Procedures and submit the required documentation to the Energy Commission verifying compliance with the NHPA.

Update Regarding the Process for Complying With Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, February 1, 2010. (PDF file, 20 kb)

Attachment 1: Consultation Package Undertakings Not Subject to SHPO Review, February 1, 2010. (MS Word file)

Attachment 2: Consultation Package Undertakings Not Subject to SHPO Review and Consultation (Opinion that Project Undertaking is or is not Categorically Excluded), February 1, 2010. (MS Word file)

Attachment 3: Consultation Package Undertakings Not Subject to SHPO Review and Consultation (Consultation Guidance and Informational Requirements), February 1, 2010. (MS Word file)

The Energy Commission is working with all applicants who may not have fulfilled these revised federal requirements to ensure compliance so the funding can be awarded. In addition, the Energy Commission is working with the DOE and the California State Historic Preservation Officer to simplify these requirements even more.


Information on Complying with Single Audit Act

If you are a public entity expecting to receive and use any federal funds, you must comply with the Single Audit Act and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-133.

How to Comply with the Single Audit Act (PDF file)

State Controller's Office, Division of Audits
Local Government Compliance List


Download State Controller's Office (SCO) Compliance Status Report, updated 12/01/09. (PDF file, 22 pages, 36 kb)

The above report categorizes local government entities into the following:

  • EXEMPT: Entities listed on this report are exempt from having to submit a Single Audit Reporting Package.
  • NO REVIEW: Entities listed on this report have submitted a complete Single Audit Reporting Package; however the SCO has determined that no review of the report is warranted because no federal funds passed through a state agency.
  • ACCEPTED: Entities listed on this report have submitted a complete Single Audit Reporting that has been reviewed and certified for compliance. These entities have received a Single Audit Certification Letter and distribution CDs containing report copies and certification letters have been distributed to all pass through state agencies.

GUIDELINES

cover of reportCalifornia Block Grant Guidelines (Formula-Based Grants)
Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grants Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
COMMISSION ADOPTED GUIDELINES
Adopted: October 7, 2009.
Publication # CEC-150-2009-002-CMF-REV1. Posted October 7, 2009.
(PDF file, 29 pages, 264 kb)



Federal Background Information

California Energy Commission Application to the U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant June 2009.
Publication # CEC-100-2009-002, posted June 26, 2009. (Acrobat PDF file, 26 pgs, 2.6 megabytes)

Applications to U.S. Department of Energy from Large Cities and Counties

Allocations for California - Department of Energy, State and Local Grant Allocations.
March 2009. (Excel file)

FEDERAL EECBG Program Guidelines - U.S. Department of Energy
(MS Word, and Acrobat files)


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