Recovery Act: Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants: Competitive Solicitation: Retrofit Ramp-up and General Innovation Fund Programs

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RECOVERY ACT: This funding opportunity announcement(FOA) is seeking innovativestate, local government and Indian tribe programs funded under the RecoveryAct. This FOA will use up to $453.72 million in Recovery Act EnergyEfficiencyand Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funds for competitive grants awardedintwo (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 reservedforunits of local government and state-recognized tribes not eligible fordirectformula grants, as per the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007requirements. Topic 2 provides up to $63.68 million (approximately 2percentof $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 movebeyondtraditional public awareness campaigns, program maintenance, demonstrationprojects, and other one-time strategies and projects. DOE seeks tostimulateactivities and investments which can:- Fundamentally and permanently transform energy markets in a way thatmakeenergy efficiency and renewable energy the options of first choice; and- Sustain themselves beyond the grant monies and the grant period bydesigning a viable strategy for program sustainability into the overallprogramplan.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 theloading order before investments are made in new generation; however, DOEisinterested in applications that integrate cost-effective renewables withefficiency.- Move beyond the planning stage and ready for implementation;- Clearly articulate and demonstrate the ability to achieve measurablestretchgoals and that have the potential to make an impact at the regional ornationallevel; and- Maximize the creation and/or retention of jobs in the UnitedStates.

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