Illinois Environmental Protection Agency

The purpose of the EECBG Program is to assist eligible local governments ("eligible entities") in implementing strategies to reduce fossil fuel emissions, reduce total energy use, improve energy efficiency, and build a clean and equitable energy economy. The Illinois EPA Office of Energy identified the following project topic areas for funding eligibility: Energy Planning and Energy Efficiency: Energy Audits, Building Upgrades. Entities may develop various programs and projects that address one or more of the purposes in a cost effective manner that is of maximum benefit to the population served. Funding may not be used for regularly scheduled maintenance.

Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58)

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For eligible entities to develop proactive, comprehensive, and structured Energy Plans and implement one or more projects identified throughout the planning phase. The Energy Plan must be adopted by the local government and the project funds must be used to support the Energy Plan by reducing energy costs, cutting greenhouse gas emissions, and planning for capital improvements.

Yes

See program webpage for federal terms and conditions: https://epa.illinois.gov/topics/energy/energy-efficiency/energy-efficiency-conservation-block-grant.html

Government Organizations;

Applicants must be registered and pre-qualified through the GATA portal. Applicants must be in good standing with the Secretary of the State of Illinois. The project must be located in Illinois. The applicant must be a unit of local government. The applicant must be able to provide up-front costs for the project with the understanding that reimbursement for eligible project costs will occur no more frequently than monthly

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Project Grants

Government Services

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It is recommended that applications include appropriate supporting documentation for scoring criteria (e.g. letters of support or agreements).

The entire application package may be downloaded at https://gata.illinois.gov/grants/csfa.html. Potential applicants may address any problems with accessing the application package by contacting the Agency GATA Specialists at EPA.GATA@Illinois.gov.

All applications will be reviewed for completeness, technical merit, and adherence to the competitive grant evaluation criteria described in this NOFO. Applications found to be complete will undergo a comprehensive, merit-based review performed in compliance with GATA and 2 CFR 200 Uniform Requirements. The merit-based review is designed to evaluate projects against the following criteria: completed application, environmental justice area of concern, energy burden, energy/electric service, and partnerships. If the Agency determines that an applicant incorrectly calculated or indicated the project cost and/or total funding request based on the applicable cost estimate or eligible costs, and the Agency can correct the error, the application will still be accepted and reviewed. If the applicant is awarded the grant, the Agency will contact the applicant and request a decision from the applicant as to whether it will accept the award based on the Agency's determination of the project cost and/or total funding requested. If that applicant does not accept the Agency's determination, the application will be rejected. Any remaining eligible project applicants/applications not funded may be eligible to re-apply in future funding opportunities, depending on the eligibility criteria of the subsequent funding. If the amount of available grant funding is not sufficient to fund the application in its entirety, the review committee may evaluate the application to determine if a discrete portion or phase of the project meeting the purpose of this NOFO can be funded. If the review committee determines that it cannot fund the application in full or part, the next highest-ranked application may be reviewed for a discrete portion or phase to be funded to meet the purpose of the NOFO. Illinois EPA staff will be responsible for evaluating and scoring applications.

Successful applicants will receive a Notice of State Award (NOSA) which specifies the funding terms and specific conditions resulting from the pre-award risk assessments. The NOSA will be provided and must be accepted through the GATA Portal. The NOSA is not authorization to begin performance or incur costs. After all the requirements have been completed, the Grant Agreement between the Illinois EPA and the applicant will be sent to the applicant to sign and return. Once the Grant Agreement is fully executed by the Illinois EPA, a copy will be returned to the applicant. Only after the Grant Agreement has been signed by the Director of the Illinois EPA can expenses be incurred for grant reimbursement. Any expenses incurred outside of the project period (before or after) defined in the Grant Agreement are at the applicant's risk and are not eligible for reimbursement.

Deadlines will be NOFO specific

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A merit-based evaluation appeal process is available to applicants who submit a complete application. Evaluation scores may not be protested. Only the evaluation process is subject to appeal. An appeal may be submitted in writing to the following address: Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Attn: EECBG Evaluation Process Appeal, GATA Unit, 1021 N. Grand Avenue East, PO Box 19276, Springfield, Illinois, 62794-9276. Appeals must be received within 14 calendar days after the date that the grant award notice has been published by the Illinois EPA to grants.illinois.gov. The written appeal should include at a minimum the following: the name and address of the appealing party, identification of the grant, and a statement of reasons for the appeal. The Agency will acknowledge receipt of an appeal within 14 calendar days from the date the appeal was received. When an appeal is received, the execution of all grant agreements that the Illinois EPA intends to make under this NOFO shall be stayed until the appeal is resolved, unless the Illinois EPA determines the needs of the State require moving forward with execution of the grant agreements. The State need determination and rationale shall be documented in writing. The Agency will respond within 50 days or supply a written explanation to the appealing party as to why additional time is required. The appealing party must supply any additional information requested by the Illinois EPA within the time period set in the request. The Illinois EPA will resolve the appeal by means of written determination, which shall include but not be limited to, review of the appeal determination and rationale for the determination.

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Restricted to eligible entities and projects identified in the NOFO.

Quarterly GATA Performance & Financial Reports, Quarterly Narrative Project Reports; & Cummulative Close-out Performance, Financial and Narrative Reports

See Illinois Administrative Code 7000.90

Grantee shall maintain for three (3) years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report, adequate books, all financial records and, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other records pertinent to this Award, adequate to comply with 2 CFR 200.334, unless a different retention period is specified in 2 CFR 200.334, 44 Ill. Admin. Code 7000.430(a) and (b) or PART TWO or PART THREE. If any litigation, claim or audit is started before the expiration of the retention period, the records must be retained until all litigation, claims or audit exceptions involving the records have been resolved and final action taken.

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$200,000 to $249,900

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CODE of FEDERAL REGULATIONS Title 2: Grants and Agreements PART 200 - Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR 200) Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA), 30 ILCS 708/1 Illinois Administrative Code.

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1021 North Grand Avenue East, Springfield, IL

https://epa.illinois.gov/topics/energy/energy-efficiency/energy-efficiency-conservation-block-grant.html

https://www.energy.gov/scep/energy-efficiency-and-conservation-block-grant-program

2009 AARA EECBG Program: https://www.energy.gov/scep/recovery-act-energy-efficiency-and-conservation-block-grant-program U.S. DOE 2022-2023 Program Blueprints: https://www.energy.gov/scep/energy-efficiency-and-conservation-block-grant-program-blueprints

FY 2023 : $1,460,500
FY 2024 : $2,910,000