The Virginia Department of Energy (Virginia Energy) is offering subgrants to eligible local governments for the marketing, education, and outreach of energy efficiency and conservation programs for residential energy consumers and contractors. The application deadline has been extended to Friday, December 6, 2024.
Through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funding, Virginia Energy is offering competitive grants for the 85 Virginia Counties that did not receive EECBG direct funding allocations. (NOTE: 10 counties that received direct funding, and therefore not eligible for these subgrants, include Albemarle, Arlington, Chesterfield, Fairfax, Hanover, Henrico, Loudoun, Prince William, Spotsylvania, and Stafford).
Eligible counties can compete for Marketing, Education, and Outreach (MEO) sub-grants ranging from $10k-$100k by submitting projects that meet the criteria outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Examples include but are not limited to: offering free energy audits to promote interest, providing energy auditor education and certification to increase the number of contractors in your area who can offer this service, supporting staff capacity for conducting MEO (e.g. hiring/training an energy coach or outreach coordinator), holding workshops/trainings for the public education of residents and contractors, or partnering with local non-profits/community-based organizations to support MEO activities focused on weatherization, energy efficiency retrofits, and efficient technology installations.
There is also the option to do pay for service provided by Virginia Energy’s contracted MEO vendor for the One Stop Shop. This could look like having them create website content, emails, social media posts, digital ads, mailers, and public signs to inform the community about incentives, rebates, and technology available to improve their home/building’s comfort while reducing energy bills. They could also help you market free home energy audits or the energy auditor education/certification program if applicable.
Counties can partner together on a project to braid funding or partner with local non-profits or community-based organizations for support with MEO activities.
Applications will be accepted until all funding has been awarded or until 11:59 pm on December 6, 2024. Details, support materials, and the application can be found here.
For questions and more information contact Jessica Greene, at jessica.greene@energy.virginia.gov.
VACo Contact: Joe Lerch, AICP