To: Board of Supervisors
From: John Kopchik, Director, Conservation and Development
Report Title: Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant (EECBG)
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Conservation and Development Director, or designee, to execute and submit all documentation necessary to secure the County’s $356,510 Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) formula allocation from the US Department of Energy (DOE).
2. FIND that the submission of documentation required to secure funding under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program is a governmental fiscal activity that is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to section 15601(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines as it is not expected to have a significant adverse impact on the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no impact to the general fund. This one-time grant funding will be dedicated to reducing energy use and improving energy efficiency in home-based childcare facilities, as well as funding for a building inventory and cost analysis to determine the feasibility of transitioning existing buildings to be all-electric. Associated costs for these activities will be fully covered by this EECBG funding allocation.
BACKGROUND:
In 2009, through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the County received $3.57 Million in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). This grant funded numerous energy efficiency activities as well as the development of the County’s first Climate Action Plan (CAP).
In 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) included additional funding for the EECBG program totaling $550 Million, with $374 Million (68%) set aside for one-time formula funding grant awards to cities and counties. Contra Costa County has been allocated $356,510 in one-time EECBG funding to implement strategies that improve energy efficiency and reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions for the unincorporated County.
The deadline for submitting this new EECBG grant application under the IIJA is April 30, 2024, with a two-year project and budget period once the funding is made available. To confirm eligibility for this one-time funding, the DOE required all eligible grant recipients to submit a Pre-Award Information Sheet, which was submitted by County staff on April 28, 2023. On May 19, 2023, the DOE acknowledged receipt of the County’s Pre-Award Information Sheet and provided additional information to formally submit the required grant application materials.
On July 17, 2023, County staff provided a report to the Sustainability Committee on the recommended activities and estimated funding allocation for each activity proposed by staff. The Committee had no suggested changes to the proposal from staff and requested that staff look at other funding opportunities to conduct similar activities for senior living facilities in the future.
Below is an overview of the activities recommended to the Committee. The funding allocation amount per activity has been updated to more accurately reflect the grant administration and implementation costs associated with each recommended activity.
Recommended EECBG Grant Activities
|
|
Activity |
Description |
Funding Allocation |
|
1 |
Improve Energy Efficiency at Childcare Facilities |
Provide energy efficiency and weatherization upgrades at no cost for buildings within the unincorporated County that operate as a day care facility. |
$220,859 |
|
2 |
Building Inventory/Cost Analysis |
Retain technical consultants to conduct an inventory of the existing building stock and cost analysis on transitioning low- or zero-carbon energy appliances. |
$100,000 |
|
3 |
Administrative Cost (County staff Time) |
Expenses associated with management of the grant and reporting activities. Must be 10% or less of the grant award amount. |
$35,651 |
|
|
|
|
$356, 510 |
These projects and actions are in alignment with the allowable activities stated in the EECBG grant funding guidelines and blueprints. On April 6, 2023, County Staff hosted its Energy Efficiency Collaborative (EEC), a quarterly meeting held consisting of jurisdictions within the County to discuss energy efficiency and explore opportunities for collaboration. Staff provided an overview of the EECBG formula funding allocations for each eligible jurisdiction and explored the potential for interjurisdictional partnerships. Though no formal partnerships were formed to jointly expend EECBG Fund, the EEC meeting was helpful, enabling jurisdictions to share ideas on proposed use for this round of EECBG funding.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If the recommendations are not approved, the County will not receive their allocated EECBG funding from the DOE.