Submitted By
Marcella Bondie Keenan, Chief Sustainability Officer
Reviewed By
A.M. Zayyad, Deputy Village Manager
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Resolution Authorizing the Submission of an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program Application with the United States Department of Energy for an Anticipated Funding Amount of $114,770
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Overview
Overview
The Village Manager’s Office of Sustainability seeks approval to apply for an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) with the United States Department of Energy to provide technical assistance to support building decarbonization efforts as described in the adopted 2023 Sustainability CIP projects. This grant is in alignment with the adopted Climate Ready Oak Park community sustainability, climate action, and sustainability plan and the Village’s adopted 2023 budget and CIP.
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Recommendation
Recommendation
Adopt the Resolution.
Fiscal Impact
The grant assistance can be delivered in the form of technical assistance and/or building equipment. No local cost share is required for this grant.
DEI Impact
Energy burden - having a high cost of energy bill of expenses in proportion to income - is disproportionately experienced by low-income individuals, people of color, and older adults. In accordance the Climate Ready Oak Park commitment, staff plan to a engage with impacted populations in the design and outreach for the clean energy program that is funded by this grant, and dedicate at least 40% of public sustainability funds towards those populations most impacted by energy burden and climate change.
Background
The EECBG program is designed to be flexible and to meet local needs: there are 15 different eligible use areas, ranging from developing energy efficiency and conservation strategies to deploying electric vehicle infrastructure, to installing renewable energy technologies. The Village’s Sustainability CIP contains aligned projects, including the one-stop shop home energy retrofit program and the community building electrification pilot.
The funding available through the EECBG Program is noncompetitive, which means that the Village has already been allocated these funds from DOE. However, the Village must apply to receive them. The Village’s final allocation amount is $114,770.
There are two paths to receiving the EECBG Program award. The Village may receive its allocation as a traditional grant, or the Village may receive a voucher for DOE-provided technical assistance or equipment rebates. Vouchers will reduce the administrative burden of applying for and managing the EECBG Program grant.
Alternatives
The Village Board can decline the grant. The first phase of the grant application is due April 28, 2023.
Previous Board Action
On September 12, 2022, the Board Finance Committee received a presentation of the proposed 2023 Sustainability Fund CIP, which included projects to advance building decarbonization and reduce carbon emissions from building energy use.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
None. If the project proceeds, the Environment & Energy Commission (EEC) will receive progress updates and the opportunity to engage with the project.
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
Village staff will present the grant agreement to the Board for review and approval.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
Village staff will invite Governing Partners to participate in outreach to building owners.