EECS - The Strategy
WHAT IS AN ENERGY EFFICIENCY CONSERVATION STRATEGY (EECS)?
Under DOE guidelines, it is required that all entities receiving direct formula grants from the DOE submit a proposed Energy Efficiency Conservation Strategy for DOE approval. DOE encourages a strategy to include its component activities that is likely to result in maximum energy efficiency improvements, fossil-fuel emission reductions, economic benefits and total energy use reduction.
Background: The City of Los Angeles received $37,017,900 in allocation under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG - Formula). To receive awards from the EECBG, all local government applicants must submit an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy (EECS). An EECS is required under DOE guidelines for entities receiving formula allocation.
At the June 12, 2009 Ad-Hoc Committee meeting, both the Mayor’s Office and the Environmental Affairs Department provided an overview of the EECBG process and presented the process for the development of the Strategy. The development of the Strategy would include a public participation/input process led by the Environmental Affairs Department to seek input into the development of the Strategy.
Per requirements in the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant, the City of Los Angeles requested an initial $250,000 from DOE to prepare an Energy Efficiency & Conservation Strategy (EECS) to set forth the City's energy efficiency policies and programs, and to guide the expenditure of the City's $37 million allocation.
The Ad-Hoc Committee concurred with proceeding with applying for resources to prepare the Strategy for up to $250,000 of the DOE guidelines for the EECBG.
In late July 2009, the Environmental Affairs Department received notice from DOE that the City will be awarded the $250,000 for developing the Energy Efficiency Conservation Strategy.
This EECS was completed within 120 days of acceptance of the request. This time was used to develop priorities for expenditure of the allocation, conduct public outreach and request input on the types of projects to be funded, further investigate potential elements of the strategy (such as a revolving loan fund to incentivize private energy efficiency projects), and recommend programs/projects for funding through the allocation. The primary City departments undertaking these activities were Environmental Affairs, General Services, and Water & Power, among others.
USE OF STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT FUNDING FROM DOE
The funds coveredr costs to conduct public outreach meetings and provide information on the City's ARRA and EnvironmentLA.org websites; to coordinate consolidation and review of public and departmental input; analyze and prioritize activities according to key metrics and principles; develop the draft EECS; incorporate input from Mayor's office, Council offices, and departments; and prepare the required Activity Sheets describing the final programs/projects to be funded that must be submitted with the EECS. In addition, the funds assisted in developing programs in the strategy and setting up the coordination and reporting structure for programs/projects funded through the allocation.
View the City of Los Angeles EECBG Council File
View the results of the Public Outreach Survey in graphical or summarized format.
For further information please contact Craig Tranby at 213.367.2795.
