NEWS FLASH ON ARRA FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Request for Proposal to Implement the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 State Energy Program (SEP) and Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program  posted at  http://dnr.louisiana.gov/sec/mgtfin/contract/contract.htm Save the date – August 13, 2009; DNR will hold a panel discussion on EECBG funding/projects in conjunction with a one day event hosted by Congressman Bill Cassidy.  See EECBG Grant Update below for more information. DNR submitted the strategy for the EECBG funding on June 25, 2009.  For information on allocations, see the EECBG Grant Update below:

Overview of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) was signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009. It is an unprecedented effort to jumpstart our economy, create or save millions of jobs, and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century.

The Act is an extraordinary response to a crisis unlike any since the Great Depression, and includes measures to modernize our nation's infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need.

• American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)
  
  
• Overview from US DOE: Find out about funding for each state
  
  
• DOE Recovery Act Clearinghouse
  The purpose of the DOE Recovery Act Clearinghouse is to help increase the availability of information about DOE’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) activities. The Clearinghouse will provide initial consultations, and also make referrals when appropriate to other information sources (websites, documents, DOE staff, etc).

Department of Natural Resources
State Energy Office
Energy Efficiency Component

State Energy Program (SEP)

The US DOE State Energy Program (SEP) provides grants to states and directs funding to state energy offices from technology programs in DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. States use grants to address their energy priorities and program funding to adopt emerging renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

• Funding to Louisiana---$71,694,000
• State Energy Program (SEP) Guidance
• State Energy Program (SEP) Special Terms & Conditions
• Summary of Programs DNR Has Submitted to DOE
  This is part of our state energy program grant application. 
  It is pending DOE approval
• State Energy Program Formula Grants
• La. Facts about SEP Grant Guidelines
  • Powerpoint Slide Presentation of Guidelines
• USDOE Environmental Questionnaire

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG)

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Public Law 111-5, appropriates funding for the Department of Energy (DOE) to issue/award formula-based grants to states, U.S. territories, units of local government, and Indian tribes under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program. DOE's authorization for this program is set forth in Title V, Subtitle E of the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007. The purpose of the EECBG Program is to assist eligible entities in creating and implementing strategies to: reduce fossil fuel emissions in a manner that is environmentally sustainable and, to the maximum extent practicable, maximizes benefits for local and regional communities; reduce the total energy use of the eligible entities; and improve energy efficiency in the building sector, the transportation sector, and other appropriate sectors.

• Funding---$13,805,700
• EECBG Guidance
• EECBG Special Terms & Conditions (pending approval)
• Link to EECBG Federal Opportunity Announcement- Amendment 5 (pdf)
• Sample EE/RE grant application (LED lighting, design and implementation of ESPC program, PV panels on a fire station)
• RE example that is one project for PV installed on three municipal buildings
• Transportation example ( traffic signal synchronization and an idle-reduction program for municipal vehicles)
• Three page How-to guide to completing a grant application from start to finish
• State Energy Program Block Grants
• La. EECBG Allocation to Cities and Parishes and Tribes
• La. EECBG Fact Sheet
• Solution Center
  The EECBG Program Solution Center provides access to sample energy efficiency plans, policies, local ordinances, guides, journal articles, community and state websites, and other energy efficiency-related resources.
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• Applying and Receiving Federal Grant Funding EECGB Program for Formula Cities & Counties (Workshop PowerPoint Show)
• Powerpoint Presentation on EECGB, to City and Parish Officials
  • Powerpoint format
  • Adobe Acrobat format
• April 7, 2009 Letter on EECBG to City and Parish Official
• EECBG Activity Worksheet
  
• USDOE Environmental Questionnaire
  DOE requires careful consideration of the potential environmental consequences of all proposed actions. An environmental questionnaire must be completed for each proposed action to provide DOE with the information necessary to determine the appropriate level of review and documentation.
• Mayors Climate Protection Center
  Among other related topics, this site includes a link to "Block Grant Legislative Updates" as relates to municipalities.

Contact DNR Technology Assessment Division
State Energy Office
For more information or questions about ARRA and energy-related funding, contact:
Tangular Jones
225-342-1399
Tangular.Jones@LA.GOV