SCEP Spark ☆ September 2024

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September 18, 2024                                                       Sign Up for SCEP Updates

Welcome to the SCEP Spark, your lightning speed update with the latest news and events happening at U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP). 

Read time: ~4 minutes

SCEP Trivia:

We kick off this edition with a bit of trivia. Scroll down for the answer and discover more about SCEP along the way! 

Which SCEP program's deadline is approaching on October 31st for eligible local governments to apply for their formula grant allocation? 

ICYMI:

Communities Sparking Investment in Transformative Energy (C-SITE) Selections: Congratulations to the 12 Tribes and local governments selected to receive over $31 million to implement high-impact clean energy projects in disadvantaged communities. Learn how these communities' projects are lowering energy costs, creating economic opportunity, and increasing resilience.

Applications are open for the 2024-25 Energy CLASS! This opportunity will provide up to 50 school districts with coaching and 1:1 expert advice on strategic energy management, project development, funding pathways, and related topics to advance their district’s sustainability goals. School Districts can apply here by October 4th!

The Power of Partnerships: DOE's Energy Future Grants (EFG) Program has selected Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), Southface Institute, and Sustainable Capital Advisors (SCA) as the three facilitators of the EFG Program Technical Assistance Cohorts. The EFG Program Technical Assistance Cohorts provides grantees the support needed to execute the EFG planning-phase projects.

SCEP EVENTS:

We are excited to share highlights of SCEP leaders and staff out and about raising awareness of innovative clean energy programs and opportunities.  

Recent Events:

Rebates, rebates, rebates! Arizona, New Mexico, Rhode Island and Maine are the latest states to launch a portion of the Home Energy Rebates programs! The U.S. Department of Energy has been partnering with states on exciting Rebates launch events to get the word out to eligible households on how to save money on their energy bills. Yesterday, Secretary Granholm joined Governor McKee to announce the Rhode Island Home Energy Rebates Program, and today, she joined Governor Mills to announce the program's launch in Maine.

Keishaa Austin, SCEP’s Acting Principal Deputy Director, shared how investments in clean energy create good-paying jobs and training opportunities during a panel at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 2024 Annual Legislative Conference focused on “Just Jobs and Clean Green Energy Transition”. She provided insight on SCEP’s workforce development programs and equity-centered clean energy efforts.

U.S. DOE SCEP team celebrated alongside Livermore, CA city representatives as the first recipient of a Voucher Award from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program. Livermore purchased two solar-powered electric vehicle chargers – which will be available for public use at their public library and City Hall – and can serve as backup emergency energy storage in times of extreme weather events.

• Ward Lenz, Deputy Director of State Energy Program and Sean Williamson, Technical Assistance Supervisor of State Energy Program participated as federal agency representatives during the Communities First State Implementation Accelerator sharing information and resources on behalf of the Department of Energy. 

Upcoming Events:

Connect with us the following upcoming virtual and in-person events: 

New York Climate Week – New York, NY –  September 23rd, 6pm ET

• SCEP leadership will be participating in various events across NY Climate Week. Check out the public event where Keishaa Austin, SCEP's Acting Principal Deputy Director will be speaking at: Progress No Matter What: Continued Climate Action In the States. 

ICMA Annual Conference - Pittsburgh, PA - September 23rd, 4pm ET

• Come to the Piloting Energy Efficiency Initiatives through EECBG session to learn tips and tools of accelerating energy efficiency through the EECBG grant program.  

NASEO Annual Meeting – New York, NY – September 29th-October 2nd

• Are you planning to attend NASEO’s Annual meeting? SCEP leadership and staff will share updates on State Energy Program, Weatherization Assistance Program, Home Energy Rebates and more during the October 1st sessions. 

Explore the State and Local Solution Center Events to register for an upcoming webinar or office hours session. Missed a recent webinar? Check out SCEP’s webinar archive here.

Would you like a SCEP Speaker for your next in-person or virtual event?

SCEP in the News:

Extra, extra read all about it! SCEP programs are covered in local and national news media, here are a few articles to catch you up to speed. 

• 3 ways to speed up home efficiency and electrification… | Canary Media 
• The New Mexico utility that wants to go all in on green hydrogen - High Country News (hcn.org)
• DOE announces third state to disburse climate law’s energy rebates - E&E News by POLITICO (eenews.net)
• Chattanooga wins grant to transform former school into energy efficient hub (newschannel9.com) 
• State, local building energy codes get makeovers with over $240M from US DOE | Utility Dive
• New Orleans receives $1.7 million to expand Blue Bikes - Verite News
• RI launches rebate program to help homeowners save on energy efficiency improvements - Providence Journal

SCEP Trivia Answer: The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG) local government deadline is October 31st. Find out if your local government is eligible and apply today here!   

Reference to any media outlet, organization, or company is not an endorsement or recommendation by the U.S. Government or the Department of Energy. DOE is not responsible for the contents of other websites.