Illinois Launches Energy Efficiency Grants for Public Buildings
Local governments can apply for up to $200,000 in federal funding to improve energy efficiency and facility resilience.
Local governments across Illinois can now apply for funding to upgrade the energy efficiency and resilience of publicly owned facilities through a state grant initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Office of Energy opened applications for the Efficient and Resilient Public Buildings Grant Program. The initiative provides financial support for energy-saving projects at facilities owned by counties, municipalities, townships and other special local government districts. Public school districts are not eligible for this funding cycle.
Grant awards will range from $50,000 to $200,000 per project. Proposals will be evaluated competitively based on the calculated energy savings ratio per dollar invested.
To qualify for funding, applicants must submit an energy efficiency assessment or professional audit conducted within the past five years. Eligible improvements include building insulation, window replacements, upgraded indoor and outdoor lighting, programmable thermostats, high-efficiency appliances and heating and cooling system retrofits.
Funding can also be used to install generator transfer switches, which allow public buildings to safely connect to backup power during utility outages while preventing hazardous electrical feedback into the power grid. Transfer switches do not require prior inclusion in an energy audit to qualify for grant funds.
Recipients must provide matching funds based on the total request. Projects receiving between $50,000 and $100,000 require a 5% cost match, while requests exceeding $100,000 require a 10% match. However, any project located within an identified environmental justice area qualifies for the reduced 5% matching rate regardless of the requested grant amount.
Applicants must complete registration in the state Grant Accountability and Transparency Act portal before submitting application packages through the online portal.
About the Author
Jesse Jacobs is Assistant Editor of EPOnline.com.
