Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) \n \n
Initiator
Planning Department
Recommendation
Approval is requested to submit an application and if approved accept a grant \n \n up to $1,844,800 from The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 \n \n (ARRA), via the U.S Department of Energy (DOE).
Approval
Approved
Background
The EECBG program provides a framework to integrate transportation, energy,
land use and air quality planning programs into projects that yield measurable
air quality benefits in a relatively short period of time. The goal of the
EECBG is to reduce fossil fuel emissions created as a result of activities
within the transportation sector, the building sector, and other appropriate
sectors.
Analysis
The EECBG Program allocated to the city of Columbus $1,844,800 based on a
formula, which 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 DOE in that state; and,
(3) The total energy consumption in the state, less consumption in the
industrial sector.
Financial Considerations
This competitive grant award will provide up to $1,844,800 for this effort. No
matching funds are required.
Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement
Legal Considerations
The City Attorney finds no issues with this request.
Recommendations/ Actions
Approve the resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit a grant request
for the Department of Energy.
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Memorandum
TO: Mayor and Councilors DATE: 09/08/2009
THRU: Isaiah Hugley, City Manager
FROM: Rick Jones, AICP, Planning Director SUBJECT: Energy Efficiency and
Conservation Block Grant (EECBG)
Recently the city was requested to submit an application for an Energy
Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) from the U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE) for $1,844,800. The grant is part of the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) and is to fund projects that reduce energy use
and fossil fuel emissions, and that improve in energy efficiency.
The goal of the EECBG is to reduce fossil fuel emissions created as a result of
activities within the transportation sector, the building sector, and other
appropriate sectors as well as to spur economic growth and create and/or retain
jobs under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The EECBG
Program allocated to the city of Columbus $1,844,800 based on a formula, which
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 DOE in that state; and,
the total energy consumption in the state, less consumption in the industrial
sector.
If awarded, the grant would be used to help finance the environment, clean air,
and energy renewal efforts the city is currently undertaking. Using this
criteria for the selection of potential projects, the Planning Department is
recommending that these funds be allocated for the following projects:
Macon Road ATMS project $1,000,000
Weatherization/Energy Audits for Low/Mod Homes 400,000
Funding for the Air Quality Alliance ?
Public Information/Involvement 200,000
Upgrading of Traffic Signalization to LED Lights 244,800
$1,844,800
A RESOLUTION
NO. _____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION AND IF APPROVED ACCEPT UP TO
A $1,844,800 ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION BLOCK GRANT (EECBG) PROGRAM
FROM THE U. S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE) AND AMEND THE MULTI-GOVERNMENTAL FUND
BY THE GRANT AWARDED.
WHEREAS, the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) is seeking applications for its
grant program Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program;
and,
WHEREAS, the EECBG Program is designed to assist communities to promote
transportation, energy, land use and air quality planning programs and help
reduce fossil fuel emissions created as a result of activities within the
transportation sector, the building sector, and other appropriate sectors; and,
WHEREAS, the competitive grant funds would be used to help finance the
environment, clean air, and energy renewal efforts the city is currently
undertaken.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
That the City Manager is hereby authorized to submit an application and
if approved accept up to a $1,844,800 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block
Grant (EECBG) program application from the U. S. Environmental Protection
Agency and amend the Multi-Governmental fund by the amount awarded.
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held
the _________day of _____________, 2009 and adopted at said meeting by the
affirmative vote of ________ members of said Council.