North Dakota and Minnesota local and tribal governments eligible for federal energy efficiency grants

(WDAY Radio) -- Federal funds are available for communities across the country for several energy and environmental purposes.

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECGBP) is a way for state, local, and tribal governments to apply for federal dollars. The local or tribal governments do not need to match the federal dollars in order to receive them.

"Nearly 50 governments across the state of Minnesota and another 25 Governments in North Dakota that are eligible for more than $10 million dollars from the U.S. Department of Energy," said Adam Guzzo. "There is no questions about how much money each of them are getting, there is nothing competitive, these dollars are dollars that these governments are entitled to receive."

Guzzo says communities that have used the funds have applied them to multiple purposes in a wide variety of areas. This includes energy audits on government buildings, loans for businesses qualifying for solar and clean energy projects, interest-rate buy-downs for low/moderate income households related to energy efficiency loans, and more. 

Guzzo says this is the second time in American history this program has been funded. He encourages the local and tribal governments to apply before the deadline of April 30th. 

You can learn more about the EECGBP by clicking here. Additional funding available through the Public Sector Funding & Technical Assistance Programs by clicking here.