Allocation Formula
The Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program uses an allocation formula to calculate formula grants to cities, counties, states, and Indian tribes based on the amount of funding Congress appropriates to the program in a given year. The formula grants Funding Opportunity Announcement
was issued on June 25, 2009 and closed on June 25, 2010. Notice of the application deadline was published in the Federal Register on May 24, 2010.
Background
The EECBG Program was new in 2009. The Program, authorized in Title V, Subtitle E of the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) and signed into law on December 19, 2007, was funded for the first time by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
ARRA appropriated $3.2 billion for the EECBG Program, over $2.7 billion of which will be distributed through formula grants. The balance includes nearly $455 million for competitive grants, which will be awarded through a separate Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) coming soon.
Of amounts appropriated by ARRA for formula grants, DOE allocated the more than $2.7 billion as described in section 543 of EISA, using the most recent and accurate population data available:
- 34 percent to eligible units of local government-alternative 1 through formula grants;
- 34 percent to eligible units of local government-alternative 2 through formula grants;
- 28 percent to states through formula grants;
- 2 percent to Indian tribes through formula grants; and
- 2 percent for competitive grants to ineligible cities, counties, and Indian tribes.
About Eligibility
The DOE uses the most recent and accurate population data from the U.S. Census to determine eligibility.
Cities
For the purposes of the EECBG Program, the definition of "city" includes city equivalent units of local government such as towns or villages. Specifically, a city-equivalent unit of local government such as a town, village, or other municipality will be considered eligible if it is listed in the most recent Census of Governments as a currently incorporated entity, has a governance structure consisting of an elected official and governing body, is capable of carrying out the activities set forth in EISA, and meets the required population thresholds described above. Additionally, consolidated city-county governments will be considered as cities.
A city is eligible for a direct formula grant from the DOE if it has a population of at least 35,000, or if it is one of the 10 highest populated cities of the state in which it is located. Cities that do not meet the eligibility requirements for direct formula grants from the DOE are still eligible for Program funds through the state in which they are located.
Counties
For the purposes of the EECBG Program, the definition of "county" includes county equivalent units of local government such as parishes or boroughs. Specifically, a county will be considered eligible for direct formula grants from DOE if it is listed in the most recent Census of Governments as a currently incorporated county, has a governance structure with an elected official and governing body, is capable of carrying out the activities set forth in EISA, and meets the required population thresholds. Consolidated city-county governments will be considered as cities.
A county is eligible for a direct formula grant from the DOE if it has a population of at least 200,000 or if it is one of the 10 highest populated counties of the state in which it is located. County populations calculated for eligibility for direct formula grants from the DOE do not include the populations of cities within them that are eligible for direct formula grants from the DOE. Counties that do not meet the eligibility requirements for direct formula grants from the DOE are still eligible for Program funds through the state in which they are located.
States
For the purposes of the EECBG Program, the definition of "state" includes the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, and the following territories of the United States: Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Specifically, the State Energy Office of each state is eligible to apply.
Indian Tribes
All federally recognized Indian tribes and any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (85 Stat. 688; 43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) are eligible for direct formula grants from the DOE.
The Allocation Formulas
Allocations to entities eligible for 2009 ARRA direct formula grants from the DOE are based on the following funding amounts:
- $1,863,880,000 for eligible cities and counties
- $767,480,000 for states, U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia
- $54,820,000 for eligible Indian tribes
City/County Formula
The formula for determining allocations to cities and counties is based on two weighted factors—resident population, and daytime (commuter) population. The resident population factor receives a weight of approximately 70%, and the daytime population factor receives a weight of approximately 30%.
State Formula
The formula for determining allocations to states includes three factors that are considered with equal weight: (1) the total population of the state; (2) the population of the state after subtracting the populations of all cities and counties eligible for direct formula grants from the DOE in that state; and (3) the total energy consumption in the state, less consumption in the industrial sector.
Tribal Formula
The formula for tribal governments is based on two weighted factors—tribal population, and the climatic conditions in each tribe's state, derived from heating and cooling degree days. The tribal population factor receives a weight of 75%, and the tribal climate factor receives a weight of 25%.
For more detailed information on the formula, see the EECBG Formula Methodology as published in the Federal Register April 15, 2009.
EECBG Formula Allocations and Data
EECBG Formula Allocations
EECBG Formula Data
- Local Government Allocation Data
- Notes on Data for Local Governments
- State Government Allocation Data
- Notes on Data for State Governments
Tribal allocation data coming soon.