Title:
title
A Resolution Approving and Adopting the Village of Oak Park Sustainability Fund Energy Efficiency Grant Program Guidelines.
..end
Introduction
overview
Approving and adopting the Village of Oak Park sustainability fund energy efficiency grant program guidelines.
end
body
Recommended Action
Adopt the Resolution approving the Village of Oak Park's sustainability fund energy efficiency grant program guidelines.
Prior Board Action
• On December 3, 2024, the Village Board passed the Fiscal Year 2025 budget which included a transfer of $500,000 from the General Fund to the Sustainability Fund to increase the amount allocated to the Energy Efficiency Grant program to $750,000.
• On September 16, 2024, the Board approved guidelines for an Energy Efficiency Grant program funded by the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.
• $220,000 was allocated to the Fiscal Year 2024 budget for an Energy Efficiency Grant program.
Background
The Village Board Goals include the Sustainability & Resiliency Goal to Advance Village policies and programs to support the transition of the Village's and the community's natural gas equipment to electric equipment, improve building energy efficiency, and increase onsite renewable energy installations. The Energy Efficiency Grant Program aligns with this Board's priority and the CROP plan's commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2030 and CROP plan actions AE03, EN02, and EN03.
Timing Considerations
The funding for the Energy Efficiency Grant program is allocated for the 2025 fiscal year. Approving the grant guidelines will allow the grant program to start.
Budget Impact
The Energy Efficiency Grant program will utilize $750,000 from the Sustainability Fund.
GL#: 2310.41020.101.570668.0000
Staffing Impact
The Energy Efficiency Grant program is administered by existing staff in the Neighborhood Services Department. Program marketing and metric tracking will be done with staff in the Office of Sustainability and Resilience and Communications. Additional contractors may be engaged for program marketing.
DEI Impact
In alignment with the CROP plan action AE03 and the CROP plan commitment to ensure 40% of public climate and sustainability dollars are directed to the most vulnerable, the grant guidelines allocate 45% of the grant funds to households at or below 80% of the Area Median Income and marketing efforts will be conducted in a way to engage with the most vulnerable community members.
Community Input
The Environment & Energy Commission reviewed the grant guidelines at their November 18, 2024 meeting and did not recommend any changes.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends approving the grant guidelines.
Advantages:
• Guidelines align with the existing CDBG grant program.
• Guidelines provide a tiered incentive structure for different household incomes.
Disadvantages:
• There are no disadvantages to the recommendation.
Alternatives
There are no alternatives to this item.
Anticipated Future Actions
Staff will follow up with the Board periodically to report outcomes and status of the Grant program.
Prepared By: Lindsey Nieratka, Chief Sustainability Officer
Reviewed By: Ahmad Zayyad, Deputy Village Manager
Approved By: Kevin J. Jackson, Village Manager
Attachment(s):
1. Resolution
2. Energy Efficiency Grant Guidelines