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The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) includes funding to support investments in energy-related programs and projects that create jobs and stimulate the economy while meeting long-term energy goals. The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program is one of several energy-related programs receiving funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  A total of $84,183,300 was made available to Ohio and includes $59,203,700 that was made available through direct allocation from the federal government to the ten largest counties and to the thirty-three largest cities. 

The remaining amount of $24,979,600 was made available to the Ohio Department of Development and will be spent according to the following strategy:

• 60.05 percent, or $15,000,000 was made available through a competitive solicitation available to the seventy-eight (78) county governments and the one-hundred fourteen (114) city governments located in these seventy-eight counties that did not receive a direct allocation for certain eligible Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant activities. The $15 million will be allocated according to the following breakdown:
  
  
  • $3 million was made available for the twenty-six (26) county governments with populations under 39,000* and the twelve (12) city governments located in these counties.
    
    
  • $4 million was made available for the twenty-six (26) county governments with populations between 39,001 to 65,000* and the thirty-four (34) city governments located in these counties.
    
    
  • $8 million was made available for the twenty-six (26) county governments with populations at 65,001 and above* and the sixty-eight (68) city governments located in these counties.
    
    * Consistent with federal direct allocation calculations, the population for each of the 78 counties is based upon the 2007 census estimates and is  modified to subtract city populations that received direct Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant allocations.  

      To view a map of the counties that were eligible, please click here.

Applications were only accepted from:   

• 78 county governments that were not eligible to receive a direct allocation from the federal government, or
  
• 114 city governments located in these 78 counties that were not eligible receive a direct allocation from the federal government.

To view a list of the 78 county governments and the 114 city governments that were eligible, please click here.

• 32.83 percent, or $8,200,000, was made available through a competitive solicitation to state facilities and institutions of higher education including community colleges, and public and private universities and colleges for eligible Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant activities.
  
• 7.12 percent, or $1,779,600, was used for administration, including outreach, technical assistance, third-party competitive reviews, and reporting.

On June 23, 2009, the State of Ohio filed its proposal for use of the $24.9 million. Ohio’s ten largest counties and thirty-three (33) largest cities were required to submit their proposals directly to the United States Department of Energy for how they intend to use their allocation by June 25, 2009. For a list of these local governments and their allocated funding levels, please click here.

The United States Department of Energy approved the State of Ohio's proposal on September 28, 2009.

State facilities, institutions of higher education, and the 78 eligible county and 114 city governments seeking ARRA Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant funding from the State should take the following action steps to stay informed on the opportunities. It is not necessary to contact the Ohio Department of Development or other state agencies directly with project ideas at this time. Opportunities will be announced publicly as they arise.

Below is a list of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant solicitations that have already closed:

• Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant: Local Governments ($15 million) - closed November 30, 2009; proposals in review
• Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant: State Government and Higher Education ($8.2 million) - closed January 11, 2010; proposals in review

Action Steps:

• Applicants should await direct notification from the Ohio Department of Development regarding the status of their submissions.