Attend the Blueprint Cohort Kick-Off Event Sept. 8 at 1 p.m. ET.
Register here
The EECBG Program Blueprints are model projects and programs designed to help local and tribal governments achieve high impact results with limited grant dollars. Blueprints offer ideas in energy efficiency, renewable energy, transportation electrification, clean energy finance, and workforce development.
Key activity areas under each blueprint serve as a step-by-step guide for communities to follow. Each activity is accompanied by relevant tools and resources that go into much more detail. EECBG Program grantees are encouraged to consider blueprints as inspiration for ways they could use their grant dollars.
Blueprint Cohorts
DOE is delighted to announce the launch of the EECBG Blueprint Cohorts, starting with a kickoff event on Friday, Sept. 8 at 1 p.m. ET. You can RSVP here to attend.
The Blueprint Cohorts initiative will regularly convene EECBG grantees following one of the 13 Blueprints along each of the blueprint topic areas. EECBG grantees will meet one another, ask questions, learn from experts, and troubleshoot challenges. The Blueprint Cohorts will run the entire duration of the EECBG Program to amplify the impact and reach of EECBG projects from start to finish.
As part of the Blueprint Cohorts, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) will lead two upcoming trainings to support EECBG Program participants.
- LEAD Training: Monday, Sept. 18 at 12 p.m. ET. Click here to register. The LEAD Tool provides housing and energy characteristics of low- and moderate-income households. Build state, county, or city “profiles” equipped with data you need to start new low-income programs, identify target communities, and inform energy planning.
- SLOPE Training: Monday, Oct, 3 at 12 p.m. ET. Click here to register. The SLOPE tool provides data on energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable transportation at the state and local level. It can answer key energy planning questions such as “How can various energy strategies help my community achieve its energy or decarbonization goals?”
Join the Sept. 8 Kickoff Event. RSVP here.
Join a Blueprint Cohort!
Click here to sign up or email us at technicalassistance@hq.doe.gov.
Read the Blueprints Here
ENERGY PLANNING
EFFICIENT BUILDINGS
- Blueprint #2A: Energy Efficiency - Energy Audits and Building Upgrades
- Blueprint #2B: Energy Savings Performance Contracts: Energy Efficiency and Electrification in Government Buildings
- Blueprint #2C: Building Electrification Campaign
- Blueprint #2D: Building Performance Standards & Stretch Codes
RENEWABLES
- Blueprint #3A: Solar & Storage- Power Purchase Agreements and Direct Ownership
- Blueprint #3B: Community Solar
- Blueprint #3C: Solarize Campaign
- Blueprint #3D: Renewable Resource Planning for Rural and Tribal Communities
ELECTRIC TRANSPORTATION
- Blueprint #4A: Electric Vehicles and Fleet Electrification
- Blueprint #4B: EV Charging Infrastructure for the Community
FINANCE
WORKFORCE
Why Should My Organization Use a Blueprint?
- These step-by-step guides illustrate project and program ideas that are already determined to be eligible for EECBG Program use. Choosing to follow a blueprint will expedite the application review process.
- Blueprints are rooted in best practice for equity and energy efficiency and conservation impact.
- Each blueprint highlights the most relevant tools and resources to help as you implement the projects and programs.
- DOE will align technical assistance around the blueprint topics, including bringing blueprint cohorts together on a regular basis to foster peer learning and to answer questions as you go.
Icons Used in the Blueprints
Justice and Equity- Provides ideas for weaving justice and equity approaches into your activities.
Key Activities- Indicates Key Activities and related resources.
Common Activities- Shows Key Activities that are present in multiple Blueprints.
Support-
Highlights when an exceptional level of technical assistance is available.
The Importance of Key Activities
When selecting a blueprint, an EECBG Program grantee can expect an expedited review by DOE of their grant application. Importantly, to receive an expedited review of your application, grant activities are limited to the key activities listed under each blueprint. Going outside these key activities may trigger additional reviews of your EECBG project to ensure you’re meeting National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), historic preservation, and/or other federal regulations.
Justice 40 and the EECBG Program Blueprints
The EECBG Program is a Justice40-covered program and contributes to the President’s goal that 40% of the overall benefits of Federal investments in clean energy and climate solutions flow to Disadvantaged Communities (DACs) that for too long have faced disinvestment and underinvestment. DOE strongly encourages eligible entities to maximize project benefits and describe how these benefits will flow to DACs to the greatest extent practicable.
DOE priorities aligned with Justice40 include:
- Transform local infrastructure and economies
- Lift up historically disadvantaged communities
- Mitigate and build resilience to climate change
The Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) is a geospatial mapping tool that can assist EECBG Program applicants in identifying areas within their communities that are faced with significant burdens. Census tracts that are overburdened and underserved are highlighted as being disadvantaged on the map. Click on any census tract to learn more; information is organized into the following eight categories: climate change, energy, health, housing, legacy pollution, transportation, water and wastewater, and workforce development.
Blueprint FAQs
How do I use the blueprint?
The blueprints are one of the many resources available to EECBG grantees. Blueprint topics are good ideas that are designed to spark inspiration. Each blueprint has a webpage that describes the benefits of the topic and highlights great tools and online resources available to help execute the project. Each blueprint webpage also includes a downloadable PDF that summarizes the key activities important for completing the blueprint.
Can I use the blueprint only with a grant allocation or can I use it to implement a voucher project?
Anyone can use the blueprints! You may choose to use the blueprint with a grant allocation or a voucher.
Can I use the blueprints in teams?
Yes!
When do I choose a blueprint during the EECBG application process?
In your Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy, you will indicate that you will be using the blueprint. After that, you may also need to indicate the blueprint choice in your application (either in PAGE or in the voucher application). If you choose a blueprint, you’ll need to commit to at least one key activity. However, the blueprints are intended to be step-by-step guides, not a regimented rulebook filled with requirements for how to do the work.
Do I have to follow all of the key activities listed under a blueprint?
No. You need to pick at least one key activity, but do not need to complete all of them.
What if I want to pursue elements of a blueprint that are not listed under the key activities?
This is fine, so long as your activities fall within one of the 14 allowable activities listed in the ALRD and the statute. But, please be aware that you may receive a slower review of your EECBG Program application if your scope of work goes beyond the blueprint key activities.
What if I want to do several blueprints?
That’s great! Make sure you’re clearly identifying and tracking which key activities you’re pursuing under each blueprint.
How do I officially select a blueprint?
Indicate your choice of blueprint in your energy efficiency and conservation strategy (EECS). If you’re pursuing a grant, indicate your choice in PAGE. If you’re pursuing a voucher, indicate your choice in the voucher application.