Arkansas Small Cities and Counties Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG)

Local governments (cities and counties) within the State of Arkansas that are not eligible for direct funding from the US Department of Energy (DOE) will be given priority in the evaluation process. Cities and counties that received direct funding from DOE are still eligible to apply but will be deferred for consideration until all applications from non-funded cities and counties have been evaluated. Please note that this is a competitive grant.

The goal of the program is to extend the capacity and capabilities of states and local governments to implement high-impact energy projects, with a particular focus on Low-Income Disadvantaged Communities (LIDAC).

The Arkansas Energy Office has chosen to direct funds provided by DOE to projects involving Energy Efficiency Retrofits, Energy Efficiency Audits, Sustainable Transportation, and Workforce Development from DOE’s list of eligible projects to be funded by this funding opportunity.

The EECBG program may fund projects in the following activity areas:

Energy Efficiency Retrofits

For Example: Guidance from DOE states, “modification of structures or equipment necessary for proper installation and function of energy efficient equipment may be eligible with prior approval from DOE.” Further DOE guidance states, "The replacement of a lighting fixture, an arm, a pole, or any part of a light is an eligible use of funds if the more efficient lighting technology necessitates such a replacement.

However, regular maintenance is an ineligible cost. For example, EECBG Program funds cannot be used to replace a rotten pole due to insufficient maintenance. LED lights should be procured with strong warranty terms and meet certifications (e.g., ENERGY STAR or otherwise) to ensure energy performance, longevity and lighting quality over time."

Energy Efficiency Audits

For example: Energy assessments to understand usage patterns in a portfolio of buildings and benchmark performance, including benchmarking building energy performance in the ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager Tool.

• Any activities that support or facilitate the conduct of energy assessments of residential or commercial buildings

Sustainable Transportation

For example:

• Electrifying Vehicle Fleets
• Cities can support the transition to clean energy transportation through eligible projects such as:
  • Installing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to support municipal and public EV use.
  • Developing infrastructure for micromobility programs, including facilities for e-bikes, e-scooters, and other alternative transportation options.
  • Establishing refueling infrastructure for alternative fuels like hydrogen or natural gas.

Note: The program does not cover the purchase of vehicles but focuses on enabling clean energy solutions through infrastructure development.

Workforce Development

For example: Workforce development/training programs supporting eligible activities, such as training community members on green technology installation or residential and commercial energy audits

• Programs for public education including training or workshops in the electrical industry, HVAC trades, and code compliance training
• Providing compliance training for inspectors.

DOE has defined a "streetlight" as "an outdoor source of light that is raised and that is intended to provide functional illumination to the area below the light." Therefore, ball parks, sidewalks, and parking lots, all would be considered "streetlights" and eligible for funding as long as the project involves the "replacement of lights" and not poles and other equipment.

DOE does also give guidance that "a lighting fixture, an arm, a pole, or any part of the light is an eligible use of funds if the more efficient lighting technology necessitates such a replacement. For example, the EECBG Program funds cannot be used to replace a rotten pole due to insufficient maintenance."

A total of $1,765,000 will be available for awards under this funding opportunity, 60% of all funds must be granted to communities that did not receive a direct allocation under the EECBG program.

No. LED light bulbs do not have to comply with the BABA standard. However, any light fixtures or poles and other support components will be required to apply to BABA standards.

Please not that if the total cost for the project is less than $250,000 a waiver for Buy America Build America (BABA) will be issue.

Applications and all required documentation must be submitted online using the Arkansas Energy Office Hub Submittable Portal. The Submittable Portal is an online application-based program that simplifies the application process and manages applicant profiles and proposals across a variety of Arkansas state agency funding opportunities. An Application Guide can be found on the AEO website.

The AEO intends to award subgrants on competitive basis.

AEO will grant projects from $9,000 to $200,000.

No, there is no required cost match.

The subgrant will require a Grant Agreement between the recipient and the AEO. That document is currently being drafted and may take up to a month to finalize. All terms and conditions applicable in AEO’s grant agreement from DOE must flow down to each subrecipient’s agreement, including compliance with Federal, State, and Municipal Law, Historical Preservation Requirements, Reporting Requirements, Payment Procedures, Nondisclosure and Confidentiality Assurances, Conflict of Interest, Davis-Bacon Requirements, and Buy America Build America (if required).

Funding for approved projects will be available as early as July 2025.