By Judy Sheahan
April 6, 2009

U.S. Conference of Mayors CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran moderated a webcast featuring Gil Sperling of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) April 1 at the USCM headquarters on implementation of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG). EECBG, a program that was conceived by The U.S. Conference of Mayors, was authorized in the Energy Independence and Security Act in December of 2007 and appropriations were issued under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

ARRA provides $3.2 billion for EECBG, including $2.8 billion in formula grants that go directly to cities, counties and states and $400 million in competitive grants. The guidance and city formula allocations were released by DOE on March 26, but the competitive grant guidance are still being drafted.

Cochran said, “We worked for over two years to get this program authorized and we are pleased that it was included in ARRA. The Energy Block Grants are a means to assist our cities including the over 935 cities who have signed The U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement to help them meet their climate change goals.”

Sperling is the Program Manager for the Weatherization and Intergovernmental Program in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at DOE. He outlined the EECBG application process for the over 2200 direct recipients. Applications for cities are being accepted now through June 25. Sperling encouraged cities to begin applying soon and urged smaller cities and counties, who didn’t get direct funding, to work with their states that are required to pass through 60 percent of the money they receive through the EECBG program.

Sperling outlined other DOE ARRA resources, including a $300 million appliance rebate program, as well as additional money that is being funneled through the states including $5 billion in weatherization money and $3.1 billion for state energy offices. “I strongly encourage you to reach out to states and work with them to do innovative programs,” Sperling said.

Cochran asked Sperling questions from viewers on such topics as potential eligible activities, measuring results, qualities for a good application, partnerships, leveraging, and timetables. Sperling emphasized that DOE is looking to fund good projects that create jobs, reduce energy use, reduce greenhouse gases, leverage additional funding, and he encouraged cities to be creative and comprehensive. “Package all of your great ideas into one application and be as comprehensive as possible. We know new ideas will come up and we understand that changes be made,” Sperling said.

To view the webcast, go to the website usmayors.org. Detailed information about EECBG, including links to key DOE websites, can also be found there.