MEA was recently awarded $2,101,450 from the US Dept of Energy to assist rural local governments in efficiency and decarbonization planning.
The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) was recently named one of 23 state and local entities nationally to receive funding from the US Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program. The EECBG Program will distribute funds to improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and lower overall energy use. The program is designed to fund various energy efficiency and decarbonization projects. Communities across the country are investing in projects and programs that save energy, reduce climate pollution, and advance local energy goals.
Grantees will use EECBG Program funds to support low-income households through energy assessments and efficiency upgrades, to conduct electrification studies for municipal facilities, to purchase electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, to install solar arrays and battery storage systems, to leverage Energy Savings Performance Contracts, and more.
MEA’s grant of $2,101,450 will enable the agency to,
Provide sub-grants to small and rural local governments to create or update energy efficiency plans and decarbonization strategies, in line with Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) objectives. Funding will flow to each of the four regions of Maryland.
How Does Maryland’s Award Stack Up to Our Neighbors?
Delaware will receive $1,615,060 and will,
…sub-grant 60 percent of its allocation to local governments to carry out energy efficiency projects. The state will also i nstall solar panels and battery storage in emergency shelters across Delaware’s three counties.
District of Columbia will receive $1,696,300 and will,
Develop an energy efficiency retro- commissioning and building operations program for buildings under 50,000 square feet and a create a workforce education program to prepare for the next phase of the District’s Building Energy Performance Standard.
Pennsylvania will receive $3,021,720 and will,
Establish the Municipal Opportunities for Retrofits and Energy Efficiency (MORE) Program which will provide grants and loans to help local governments access capital for long-term clean energy projects. Financially distressed local governments can use MORE Grants for energy assessments and project design to develop their MORE Loan application. Municipalities can then access MORE Loans for capital-intensive energy retrofits and renewable energy projects. Local governments can also use their MORE Grant to buy-down the interest rate on their MORE Loan, promoting equitable access to financing.
Virginia will receive $2,646,050 and will,
Sub-grant 60 percent of its award to small and rural local governments for energy efficiency and clean energy projects. The state will also launch a marketing, education, and outreach (MEO) program to help residents decrease their energy costs and navigate financial incentives for home electrification and energy efficiency upgrades. Outreach materials will be offered in multiple languages to increase equitable electrification.
West Virginia will recieve $1,809,210 and will,
Create a sub-granting program to retrofit and weatherize local government buildings and community-serving nonprofits. Rural communities will be prioritized
