The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program, administered by the U.S. Department of Energy, supports nearly 2,700 state, tribal, and local governments with clean energy and energy efficiency projects. With $431 million in federal funds from the bipartisan infrastructure law, EECBG aims to reduce emissions, save energy, and lower energy costs.
ACEEE and partners are leading the EECBG Blueprint Cohorts. The cohorts are designed to support EECBG-eligible entities—including local, state, and tribal governments—with technical training to build capacity, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to design or execute their EECBG projects more effectively. We also provide interactive discussions and activities to foster peer-to-peer learning and resource sharing among cohort participants. ACEEE and partners help jurisdictions in areas like energy efficiency in buildings and electric vehicle infrastructure. The initiative will help localities take tangible steps to ramp up energy efficiency programs, cut pollution, and lower energy bills.
First Person: Participants Share Their Blueprint Cohort Experiences
Testimonials from local government staff about how the blueprint cohorts are helping them implement their energy projects.
Alex Galt, Clean Energy Connector
City of Green Bay, Wisconsin:
Connecting with a community of people engaged with electrification programs
READ MORE ▸
Emily Morton, Senior Sustainability Specialist
City of Renton, Washington:
The value of easy access to industry experts
READ MORE ▸
Rose Daily, Sustainability Coordinator
City of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin:
The importance of equity and justice in climate action plans
READ MORE ▸
Join an EECBG Blueprint Cohort
If you work for or on behalf of a jurisdiction and still need to sign up, you can use this form to join the hundreds of jurisdictions across the country participating in a cohort. You'll get access to monthly calls, technical expertise, and a communications hub to interact with peers and experts.
The EECBG Blueprints are model projects and programs designed to help state, local, and tribal governments achieve high-impact results with their grant dollars. State, local, and tribal governments can participate in any of the 13 blueprint cohorts.
| Energy Planning Blueprint #1: Energy Planning |
| Efficient Buildings Blueprint #2A: Energy Efficiency - Energy Audits and Building Upgrades Blueprint #2B: Energy Savings Performance Contracts: Energy Efficiency and Electrification in Government Buildings Blueprint #2C: Building Electrification Campaign Blueprint #2D: Building Performance Standards & Stretch Codes |
| Renewables Blueprint #3A: Solar & Storage- Power Purchase Agreements and Direct Ownership Blueprint #3B: Community Solar Blueprint #3C: Solarize Campaign Blueprint #3D: Renewable Resource Planning for Rural and Tribal Communities |
| Electric Transportation Blueprint #4A: Electric Vehicles and Fleet Electrification Blueprint #4B: EV Charging Infrastructure for the Community |
| Finance Blueprint #5: Unlocking Sustainable Financing Solutions for Energy Projects and Programs with Revolving Loan Funds |
| Workforce Blueprint #6: Workforce Development |
EECBG in Action: Case Studies
In these case studies, technical leads at partner organizations describe how they’re helping participating jurisdictions achieve their goals.
Strengthening Local Economies through Green Workforce Initiatives: Emerald Cities Collaborative (ECC) is helping local government leaders design and implement scalable, equity-based, sustainable workforce programs that support job growth in clean energy. READ MORE ▸
Building Energy Financing Programs to Cut Utility Bills: The University of New Hampshire’s Center for Impact Finance (CIF) works with local government staff seeking to create a market for energy-efficient technologies. READ MORE ▸
Empowering Local Governments to Deliver Equitable Community Solar: Housing Sustainability Advisors (HSA) is partnering with local governments and community leaders to provide guidance on equitably scaling community solar projects. READ MORE ▸
Partners
Ten organizations are partnering on the EECBG Blueprint Cohorts. The groups have experience working with state, local, and tribal governments and expertise across topics like electric vehicles, energy efficiency, energy planning, financing, solar, and workforce development.
