Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program is designed to assist states, local governments, and Tribes in implementing strategies to reduce energy use, reduce fossil fuel emissions, and improve energy efficiency.
The City of Columbus is anticipated to receive $778,900.00 through an EECBG formula grant and will use funds to enter into a sub recipient agreement with the Human Service Chamber of Franklin County to administer a commercial energy audit and technical assistance program for nonprofit organizations providing health and human services to residents.
The goals of the program are to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and facilitate energy and cost-saving measures for non-profit organizations serving the city's low-income and disadvantaged communities. The energy audits and technical assistance will help building owners develop a plan to reduce energy use, and set up participants to take advantage of local, state, federal and philanthropic funding opportunities for implementation of energy-saving improvements.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this legislation will authorize the Director of Public Utilities to apply for and accept a U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG). Once the grant is awarded additional legislation will be presented to request appropriation and expenditure of said grant funds and authorize a sub recipient agreement for administration of the grant funds.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to provide Council's approval to apply for, accept and administer U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funds, and to enter into a sub recipient agreement, prior to the anticipated award of the grant in July of 2024.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to apply for a U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) Energy Efficiency and Conservation Bl...
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