Department of Natural Resources
Energy Programs and Funding Update (Oct. 6, 2009)
For program information posted on the Department of Natural Resources site, visit (Debbie – to give department address here)
Energize Missouri Communities
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG)
The EECBG program was created by the federal Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to help local communities make investments in energy efficiency and conservation. Under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA), $2.7 billion dollars will be granted to states, territories, local governments and Indian tribes through the EECBG program by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
The State of Missouri will receive a total of $43,779,300 in EECBG funding. Twenty-seven cities and counties are eligible to receive a portion of this EECBG funding directly from DOE based on the following criteria:
- Cities with a population of 35,000 or more;
- Counties with a population 200,000 or more; and,
- Top ten most populated cities and counties within the state.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is prioritizing the remaining $12 million in EECBG funding. The majority of the $12 million will be awarded to smaller cities and counties. However, cities and counties that received direct funding from DOE may apply for some of the funding administered by the department. The desired goals of selected programs and projects are the following:
- Reduce fossil fuel emissions;
- Reduce the total energy use of the eligible entities;
- Improve energy efficiency in the transportation, building, and other appropriate sectors; and
- Create and retain jobs.
The department will host six information and planning sessions in October 2009 to review funding opportunities and provide potential applicants with technical assistance. Applications will be accepted from cities and counties in November 2009 to receive grant funding through the Energize Missouri Communities EECBG Program.
Additional Resources:
- Energize Missouri Communities - Information and Planning Sessions PDF
- Energize Missouri Communities - Information Flyer PDF
- U.S. DOE - EECBG Fact Sheet, pdf format
Contact Information:
- Send email to: energy @mo.dnr.gov
Energize Missouri Homes
- Under the ARRA, Missouri is administering $128,148,027 in funding tor energy efficiency improvements to homes of low-income families. Grants were issued in July 2009 to the 18 regional agencies that deliver weatherization services to low-income Missourians throughout the state on behalf of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Citizens interested in determining their eligibility or applying for assistance should contact their local agency office.
- The department's Energy Center is also seeking innovative ideas to increase efficient and effective delivery of energy efficiency services to Missouri low income families. The department will use approximately $25.6 million to focus on initiatives that provide energy efficiency services to clients and significantly leverage other sources of funding for greater client benefit and job creation. Proposals that will be considered for funding may put emphasis on bringing non-traditional partners to assist with the overall goal of providing energy efficient weatherization measures to homes owned or occupied by eligible low income clients, may leverage significant amounts of funding from other sources in order to increase benefits to families being served, may propose more efficient or effective ways in which to reach rural families, may focus on weatherization of multi-family housing, may propose ways to increase service to underserved low-income populations, or other innovative ideas. For more background information and to participate in a survey for this initiative, please visit this page.
Energize Missouri -- Homes, Agriculture and Industry Programs
In June 2009, DOE approved Missouri’s application under DOE's ‘State Energy Program’ (SEP) for $57,393,000 in ARRA funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. This funding will be made available in the form of various grants, loans or rebates in the following areas:
Energize Missouri Homes
This portion of Energize Missouri Homes funding will provide rebates, grants or loans to homeowners who install energy-saving measures, provide loans for geothermal heating and cooling systems, fund training for residential energy auditors, and may expand or extend Missouri’s Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program, a residential audit and efficiency improvement program currently available in the metropolitan Kansas City, St. Louis and Columbia areas. These residential incentives will not be based on low-income criteria.
Energize Missouri Agriculture
This agricultural efficiency and bioenergy program will offer loans, grants, or rebates related to technology-specific small grants to increase efficiency of agricultural operations; poultry and dairy biomass furnaces/heaters; agricultural energy-efficiency audits and installation of efficiency measures; and bioenergy projects using agricultural or food processing waste streams to capture or generate methane for heat or power.
Energize Missouri Industry
This industrial and manufacturing efficiency program may provide rebates, grants or loans for industrial energy audits, or installation of energy saving measures. The program will also fund energy efficiency workshops and development of a Web-based audit training tool.
Missouri Energy Plan
The Missouri Energy Plan will provide a complete picture of the state’s energy status, including inventory of its primary energy sources; costs for energy-using sectors; likely trends; future energy alternatives and projections; and potential state policy changes, costs and benefits. The plan also will focus on the important relationship between energy, environmental quality and economic vitality.
The department is currently seeking proposals from contractors to implement, manage and monitor these programs and incentives, under the oversight of the department's Energy Center. Program details are still under development, and applications for funding are not yet being accepted. We will post information regarding how Missouri residents, farms and industries may apply for funds as soon as it is available.
