Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Programs for Municipalities

The following IIJA programs may be of interest to municipalities in New Hampshire.

Many more energy-related federally funded programs can be found on USDOE’s Clean Energy Infrastructure webpage.

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program - Formula Grant

Through the IIJA, the US Department of Energy appropriated $431.2 million into the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG Program) to be distributed through formula grants. The program is designed to assist states, local governments, and Indian Tribes in implementing strategies to reduce energy use, to reduce fossil fuel emissions, and to improve energy efficiency. Formula grants from the program are made to the State of New Hampshire and twenty local governments are eligible for formula grant funding through the EECBG Program. Those local governments include all ten county governments – Belknap, Carroll, Cheshire, Coos, Grafton, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham, Strafford, and Sullivan – and ten municipalities – Concord, Derry, Dover, Hudson, Londonderry, Manchester, Merrimack, Nashua, Rochester, and Salem. 

Local governments must apply to receive their formula grant. All twenty local governments are strongly encouraged to review the EECBG Program Application Hub for more information on the program, eligible funding uses, funding allocations, and how to apply for your grant. Local governments must complete their Pre-Award Information Sheet by April 28, 2023. 

The NH Department of Energy serves as a resource for NH’s formula recipients to apply for and understand the EECBG Program. Please contact Griffin Roberge at griffin.j.roberge@energy.nh.gov with any questions.

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program - Competitive Grants

Through the IIJA, the US Department of Energy appropriated $8.8 million into the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG Program) to be distributed through competitive grants. Eligible entities include local governments that are ineligible for EECBG Program formula grants. 

The EECBG Program’s competitive grants are a unique opportunity for smaller communities to access funds for clean energy. The US Department of Energy will prioritize applicants from States with populations of fewer than two million, propose projects that create meaningful impacts on local communities, engage with a variety of community partners, and have a strategy to deliver on the goals of the Justice40 Initiative. New Hampshire’s municipalities are strongly encouraged to review the EECBG Program Application Hub for more information.

Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund Capitalization Grant Program

The IIJA appropriates $250 million into the Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund Capitalization Grant Program. This program is designed to provide capitalization grants to States to establish a revolving loan funds and other financing options under which the State shall provide loans and grants for energy efficiency audits, upgrades, and retrofits to increase energy efficiency and improve the comfort of residential and commercial buildings.

In November 2022, the US Department of Energy released funding guidance and application documents to States. Of the $250 million allocated into the program, 40% of the funding will be allocated by formula to all states, while the remaining 60% will be allocated to priority states that are among the 15 states with the highest annual per-capita energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. New Hampshire is not considered a priority state and is not eligible for the 60% distribution. NH is estimated to receive $813,450 in program funding. More information for eligible loan recipients will be offered after New Hampshire applies for program funding by May 26, 2023 and establishes its program.