State Fund for Energy Efficiency Projects at Low-Income Residences

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Director John J. Kim announced the Low-Income Residential Energy Efficiency grant opportunity with up to $2,000,000 in funding available for energy efficiency upgrades at low-income single or multi-family residential properties. A Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) has been posted to the Illinois EPA's Office of Energy webpage.

"Illinois EPA is pleased to offer this initial funding opportunity to benefit areas served by municipal utilities and electric cooperatives." said Director Kim. "Through these investments, we hope to conserve energy, lower utility bills, increase resident comfort, and improve building performance in environmental justice and high energy burden communities."

Eligible applicants include public housing authorities, units of local government (municipalities, counties, or townships), or nonprofit organizations. Low-income single or multi-family properties eligible for funding must be a customer of a municipally owned electric utility or an electric cooperative. Projects in Illinois EPA-identified environmental justice areas of concern will be prioritized. Eligible projects include window replacement, heating and cooling equipment retrofits, and lighting upgrades. Total project costs may range from $25,000 - $500,000 with a match requirement subject to total funding request.

Applications for the Low-Income Residential Energy Efficiency NOFO are due by close of business (5 p.m.) on Jan. 12. For eligibility and application information, visit: http://www2.illinois.gov/epa/topics/energy/LIREE/Pages/default.aspx. Applicants may not apply for a grant until they are pre-qualified through the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Grantee Portal.

The grant program will invest funding from the State of Illinois Energy Efficiency Trust Fund (20 ILCS 687/6-6). The Energy Efficiency Trust Fund was established to benefit residential electric customers through projects determined to reduce energy demand.