In late 2024, Virginia Energy announced the sub-granting of nearly $1.6 million in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to eligible local governments. The funded projects will help communities to improve energy efficiency and conservation by providing clear, impartial energy efficiency information, as well as offering free residential energy audits and energy auditor training.
Eligible localities were invited to apply for Marketing, Education and Outreach subgrants up to $200,000 by submitting projects that meet the criteria outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Government entities receiving EECBG direct funding allocations, as listed here, were ineligible for this subgrant.
Eligible projects were awarded on a first come, first served basis and were reviewed for viability and completeness, readiness for implementation, and expected impact. Applications were accepted until all funding was awarded.
What Projects Were Awarded Funding?
Awarded projects include activities such as:
- Offering free or low-cost home energy audits and follow-up materials to help residents identify cost-effective improvements
- Providing free energy auditor training to increase the availability and affordability of qualified energy assessments across Virginia
- Hiring or supporting energy outreach coordinators or energy coaches to guide residents and small businesses through available programs and incentives
- Partnering with community-based organizations and nonprofits to host workshops
- Training sessions and neighborhood events on energy efficiency and conservation
Over 1000
free energy audits
Over 50
energy auditors trained
Several
Marketing, education, and outreach initiatives.
The selected localities will implement a range of energy-efficiency and conservation related marketing, education, and outreach activities tailored to community needs. Key initiatives by award-recipient:
City of Fairfax
|
Town of Crewe
|
City of Falls Church
|
Town of Dumfries
|
Botetourt County
|
Town of Pulaski
|
Greene County
|
Town of Rocky Mount
|
Madison County
|
Town of Vinton
|
Contact Virginia Energy at connect@energy.virginia.gov for details
Past Announcements
This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG) Award Number DE-SE0000606. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Energy or the United States Government, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. government.
