What You Need to Know

• Stimulus funds distributed to the states through the State Energy Program are meant to increase job retention, save energy, grow renewable energy generation, and reduce greenhouse gas emission.
• The federal government requires states to reduce per capita energy consumption by at least 25 percent of previous 1990 usage by the year 2012.
• Michigan Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth’s (DELEG) energy spending plans must be approved the U.S. Department of Energy. Monies will be funded via federal formula and competitive grants.
• All energy funds are subject to audit, transparency, accountability, Davis-Bacon (prevailing wage rules) and Buy American provisions of the ARRA, and compliance with the Environmental Protection Act, if funding doesn’t cover an exempted category.
• The Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program provides dollars for cities, towns, and counties to leverage funds to improve energy efficiency, lower energy usage, and reduce fossil fuel emissions.
• Activities covered under the EECBG include:
  • Developing and implementing energy efficiency conservation strategy
  • Energy efficiency audits and retrofits; residential, commercial, nonprofit
  • Financial incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements
  • Develop and implement building codes and inspections to promote energy efficiency
  • Transportation/traffic signals
  • Methane capture
  • Renewable energy technology on state/local buildings
• The majority of the EECBG funds will be dedicated to local governments.
• Bids will be awarded based on performance.
• State expenditures and project solicitation will also be based on performance criteria.

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