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ENERGY EFFICIENCY COMMUNITY BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM UPDATE

This important information is primarily intended for parish and local governmental officials that will be receiving a grant allocation.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) submitted Louisiana’s plan to the Department of Energy (DOE) for distributing Louisiana’s allocation of grant funding on June 25, 2009. Within the next 120 days, we expect to receive final approval of the plan which could be subject to change up until final approval. Parishes will receive a proportional allocation to be spent according to the DOE guidelines.

For more information on the Energy Efficiency Community Block Grant
click here.

Please click on the link below to determine your parish’s proposed allocation
Louisiana Proposed Parish Allocations

DNR is coordinating with the Louisiana Recovery Authority, Louisiana Municipal Association, and the state's eight Regional Planning Districts to provide the most comprehensive and up to date information.

Three workshops will be offered around the state in order to assist the parishes with their efforts. The workshops will provide assistance with the development and implementation of projects, as well as applicable forms and environmental impact statements, leveraging opportunities, and other energy efficiency opportunities. The first workshop will be in Baton Rouge in conjunction with a special one day event hosted by Congressman Bill Cassidy.  Please see below for more details about all three workshops:

AUGUST 13, 2009 (1:00 PM – 3:00 PM)
Louisiana State Museum
660 North 4th Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
225-342-5428
This session is part of Congressman Bill Cassidy’s “Green Business Energy Summit”

SEPTEMBER 3, 2009 (8:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
Kees Park Community Center
2450 Highway 28 East, Pineville, LA 
318-449-5676

SEPTEMBER 23, 2009 (8:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
Ramada Inn & Conference Center
4000 Industrial Drive, I-20 @ Exit 23, Bossier City, LA  71112
318-747-0711

WHAT INFORMATION WILL BE PROVIDED BY DNR?

Welcome:

Ms. Lori E. LeBlanc
DNR, Deputy Secretary

Overview of Energy Efficiency
Community Block Grant:

Wade Byrd
DNR Facilitator

Louisiana Funding Allocation Strategy

Forms and Procedures
(Overview of required forms and deadlines)
State Program Suggestions
Detailed State Program discussions and form completion
(Each of the four programs will be discussed in detail and completed forms will be distributed for replication)

Program Options
DNR has identified the following suggested, but not mandatory program areas that are best suited to accomplish goals, maximize energy savings, and provide the most benefit to the citizens of the participating governmental units.

A.  Energy Efficiency Building Code Enforcement
Under this component, parish and local government can acquire the equipment and training necessary to perform these tasks.  This task is most economically accomplished on a multi-jurisdiction or regional level.

B. Energy Efficient Lighting
Under the program parish and local jurisdictions can install high efficiency and long-lasting LED traffic signals and energy efficient and photovoltaic street lighting.  In areas of the state subject to frequent weather-related disruptions in the electrical grid, these activities will also have a public safety component.  In addition, lighting retrofits may be made for public buildings.
Funding for transportation lighting can be leveraged with the DNR ARRA SEP program.

C. Renewable Energy
This program encourages deployment of commercially available renewable energy resources to be utilized in local jurisdictions.  Municipally owned utility systems can individually, or as a group, leverage funding under the DNR administered formula-based funding and with funding from participating private sector renewable energy companies.

D. Other Eligible Projects:
The EECBG Program is intended to be a crosscutting program and projects that increase energy efficiency and reduce costs through efficiency improvements in the building, transportation and other appropriate sectors are the desired outcomes.  Therefore, projects that leverage other resources through coordination at the local, federal and state level to achieve maximum impact in regard to energy savings, environmental and health, and improved air quality are encouraged.