Public Building Energy Efficiency Grant

Illinois EPA Office of Energy is offering funding for energy efficiency projects at buildings that provide local government services and are owned and operated by municipalities, counties and units of local government. "Municipalities" means cities, villages and incorporated towns. "Units of local government" means counties, municipalities, townships, special districts, and units, designated as units of local government by law, which exercise limited governmental powers or powers in respect to limited governmental subjects, but does not include school districts. Eligible projects must include energy efficiency upgrades identified in an energy efficiency assessment or audit conducted within the last 5 years.

SEP State Energy Program – 42 U.S.C. 6322-6325, Public Law 117-58, House Resolution 3684

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This grant is intended to financially support energy efficiency at properties owned by municipalities, counties, and units of local government. Energy efficiency plays an important role in reducing the demand for energy and overall lessening the impact of energy production on natural resources and environmental quality.

Yes

The Grant Funds Recovery Act (30 ILCS 705) applies to this program.

Government Organizations; Other;

Eligible entities include municipalities, counties and units of local government. "Municipalities" means cities, villages and incorporated towns. "Units of local government" means counties, municipalities, townships, special districts, and units, designated as units of local government by law, which exercise limited governmental powers or powers in respect to limited governmental subjects, but does not include school districts. 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. An energy efficiency assessment/ energy efficiency audit for the project property must have been completed within the previous five years.

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Project Grants

Government Services

Registered in the GATA Grantee Portal and in good standing with pre-qualification requirements.

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The application will be administered through the Amplifund/Euna Grants portal. Applicants must complete the following forms and provide a copy of the energy efficiency assessment/energy efficiency audit conducted at the property: - Uniform State Grant Application - Narrative Project Plan - Energy Efficiency Assessent/Audit - Completed Budget Template - Budget Narrative - Programmatic Risk Assessment - National Environmental Protection Act Compliance Checklist - Grantee Disclosure

Awardees will be selected based on greatest cost savings per kilowatt-hour.

There will be a notice of award sent through the Amplifund portal. Following application scoring, A Grant Agreement between the Illinois EPA and the applicant will be sent for 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.

Applications accepted until May 30, 2026

30 Days

An appeal process is available to applicants and other interested parties; however, appeals are limited to the Illinois EPA evaluation process. Evaluation scores may not be protested. An appeal must be submitted in writing to the following address: Illinois EPA, Attn: Energy Efficiency Trust Fund Evaluation Process Appeal, Office of Energy, 2520 W. Iles Ave PO Box 19276, Springfield IL 62794-9276. and must be received within 14 calendar days after the date that the grant award notice has been published by the Illinois EPA on GATA.Illinois.gov. The written appeal shall 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. Illinois EPA shall acknowledge receipt of an appeal within fourteen (14) calendar days from the date the appeal was received. When an appeal is received, the execution of the grant in contention that Illinois EPA intends to make under this NOFO shall be stayed until the appeal is resolved, unless the agency head or designee determines that the needs of the State require that the grant program move forward despite the appeal. This determination, and its rationale, must be documented in writing. Illinois EPA shall respond to the appeal within 60 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 Illinois EPA within the time period set in the request. The Director of the Illinois EPA may appoint one or more Appeal Review Officers (ARO) to consider the grant-related appeal and make a recommendation to the Director of the Illinois EPA or designee for resolution. The ARO shall make a recommendation to the Director of the Illinois EPA or designee as expeditiously as possible after receiving all relevant, requested information. In determining the appropriate recommendation, the ARO shall consider the integrity of the competitive grant process and the impact of the recommendation on the Illinois EPA. The Illinois EPA shall resolve the appeal by means of written determination, which shall include, but not be limited to: review of the appeal, appeal determination, and rationale for the determination. Neither the State of Illinois nor Illinois EPA is obligated to make any award as a result of this program. Grant applicants are not authorized to proceed with projects until the Director or Director’s designee has signed the Grant Agreement.

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Quarterly performance and financial reporting will be required unless more frequent reporting is required pursuant to specific award conditions. These reports will describe the expenditure(s) of the funds and performance measures related thereto. The first report shall cover the first three months after the Award begins. Quarterly reports must be submitted no later than 20 calendar days following the three-month period covered by the report. Failure to submit the required reports may cause a delay or suspension of funding. Grantees will be required to submit cumulative performance and financial close-out reports. Any additional reporting requirements will be outlined in the executed agreement.

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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$766,597

$50,000-$200,000

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2520 W. Illes Ave PO Box 19276 Springfield IL 62794

https://epa.illinois.gov/topics/energy/energy-efficiency/public-buildings-energy-efficiency-grant-program.html

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LED Lighting, heating and cooling distribution system retrofit, upgrade to Energy Star rated appliances, air sealing, insulation, programmable thermostats.

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FY 2026 : $766,597