The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Energy Services is offering matching grants for communities to improve energy management and accelerate the implementation of energy efficiency and renewable energy for local governments and tribes.
Donor Name: Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)
State: Michigan
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/31/2023
Size of the Grant: $300,000
Grant Duration: 1 year 3 months
Details:
This program is part of the EGLE Catalyst Communities Initiative to provide resources to local public officials as they prepare for climate impacts on emergency response and public health and support Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s climate change priorities through measurable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in line with the MI Healthy Climate Plan.
Objectives
The objectives of the Community Energy Management Program, this RFP, and projects funded hereunder are:
- Assist in advancing local governments’ energy-related activities;
- Promote energy planning to ensure strategic implementation of energy related activities;
- Promote energy benchmarking and auditing to increase understanding of energy use;
- Promote energy efficiency upgrades in appliances, lighting, and building envelopes to reduce energy use and costs;
- Promote the adoption of renewable energy systems to reduce energy costs and improve public and environmental health;
- Promote community engagement, outreach, and education to increase public awareness and involvement in energy-related activities.
Program Priorities
To better allow Energy Services to achieve the goals and requirements of the Community Energy Management Program applicants are encouraged to consider and incorporate the following funding priorities within their proposals to the fullest extent possible:
- Showcasing energy waste reduction and/or renewable energy as an affordable, reliable, adaptable, and environmentally protective solution for Michigan’s energy future. Energy waste reduction, includes energy efficiency, load management, and energy conservation.
- Driving down the installed cost/watt for renewable energy in Michigan.
- Increasing accessibility to renewable energy and/or energy waste reduction and the associated benefits for a broad range of end-users.
- Strategic deployment of renewable energy and/or energy waste reduction across the state that leverages regional strengths and opportunities.
- Increasing opportunities for business investment, talent enhancement, state branding, and community vitality.
- Support the goals of the MI Healthy Climate Plan.
NOTE: Energy Services reserves the right to award funds for the purpose of achieving an optimal range of energy waste reduction and/or renewable energy technology projects, and to assure projects demonstrate their unique contribution and are not duplicative, or effectively duplicative, of previously funded projects.
Funding Information
A total of $300,000 in funding is expected to be available.
Project Period
The State anticipates the grant period will start June 1, 2023 and will end on August 31, 2024.
Eligible Projects
- For purposes of this RFP, the following types of entities are eligible to apply: local governments, tribal governments, or other public service entities physically located in Michigan. Priority will be given to applicants who are at-risk (e.g., lowincome, environmental justice communities, coal plant closures, and rural) and/or have not received Community Energy Management Program funding in the past. Eligible charitable organizations and professional fundraisers (unless exempt) must be registered with the Michigan Attorney General’s Office Charitable Trust Section.
- Eligible projects must involve/address energy management, energy efficiency, and/or renewable energy. Potential projects may include, but are not limited to, updating plans, policies, and/or ordinances to include energy systems, green building standards, climate change adaptation and resiliency; benchmarking energy usage, water usage, and greenhouse gas emissions; ASHRAE Level I or II audits; energy efficiency upgrades; renewable energy projects; public engagement and/or outreach; training; workshops.
NOTE: Renewable energy projects will only be considered after all, or a majority of, energy efficiency upgrades have been completed as identified in an ASHRAE Level II audit and that fall under the NEPA categorical exclusions. Eligible projects must involve/address the applicable tasks set forth in Section IIID. Impacted facilities must be occupied and have long range plans of continued use.
Eligibility Requirements
Any local government, tribal government, or other public service entity physically located in Michigan is eligible to apply.
For more information, visit Community Energy Management Program.
