Austin Energy Awarded Federal Grant to Accelerate Energy Efficiency Projects at Community Facilities

January 23, 2024

Thanks to a federal grant, Austin Energy plans to accelerate energy efficiency projects at City of Austin community-facing facilities. Over the next two years, the utility will identify and implement energy efficiency programs at Austin Public Library, Austin Public Health and Parks and Recreation Department facilities. The improvements will reduce energy use, produce fewer greenhouse gases, enhance facility comfort and directly benefit vulnerable members of the Austin community.

Last week, Austin City Council approved an ordinance amending the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Austin Energy Operating Budget Special Revenue Fund to accept and appropriate $855,340 in grant funds from the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of State and Community Energy Programs.

The award was part of the Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant (EECGB) program for commercial energy efficiency services programs. One of 19 state and local governments to receive a portion of the more than $31 million in formula grants through the EECBG, Austin Energy plans to use this funding to help lower energy use, reduce emissions, and promote energy efficiency in the community.

“These funds are being used to make our municipal buildings more energy efficient, which benefits all of our customers and the community,” said Richard Génecé, Vice President, Austin Energy Customer Energy Solutions. “As we lead the way on transitioning to our clean energy future and engage customers, we thought it was important to ‘walk the walk’ and ‘talk the talk’.”

Austin Energy joins the second cohort of recipients from more than 2,700 eligible states, territories, local governments and Tribes to receive a portion of the more than $430 million in formula funding. The grants will help meet the unique energy needs in communities that serve more than 250 million Americans. Formula grants will be awarded on a rolling basis as DOE receives complete applications.

“These funds result directly from our overcoming obstruction and climate deniers two years ago to approve major legislation,” said United States Congressman Lloyd Doggett (TX-37). “With this investment, we can help further transition our community from fossil fuels and fossilized thinking to cleaner, greener energy—a win-win for our environment and health.”

More info: Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program | Department of Energy