The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Energy is rolling out a new round of grant opportunities for energy efficiency projects, with over $1 million available to help municipalities and counties green their public buildings. The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program, which gets its funding from the U.S. Department of Energy's Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), is looking for applicants to submit proposals for energy audits and building upgrades, as reported by the State of Illinois.
Eligible projects cover a variety of energy-saving measures including better insulation, upgraded HVAC systems, more efficient lighting, weather sealing, and the retrofitting or replacement of windows and doors in public buildings. A total distribution of over $1 million will be shared among projects, ranging from awards of $50,000 to $250,000. However, places already getting direct formula funding from the U.S. DOE are out of luck for this particular pot of money.
According to a press release from the Illinois EPA, the grant applications will be scored competitively. They're taking a close look at projects that justify the need for funding and those in environmental justice areas or where there's a significant energy burden. Bonus points for projects involving cooperatively owned electric initiatives, partnerships between various local government units, and planning that benefits multiple communities.
The Illinois EPA Office of Energy is now accepting applications online, with a firm deadline of 5:00 PM (CST) on February 3, 2025. For more details, visit their website or call 217-785-8841.
