Ratification of Grant Agreement: Ratify the Grant Agreement with the Department of Energy for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG)
 

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Energy, is designed to assist states, local governments, and Tribes in implementing strategies to reduce energy use, reduce fossil fuel emissions, and improve energy efficiency. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) allocated $550,000,000 to the EECBG Formula and Competitive grants, with the City of Flagstaff eligible for an EECBG Formula Award of $133,940.

The City applied and was approved for the following projects: 1) electrification of lawn equipment, 2) installation of electric heat pumps at two City facilities, and 3) window replacement at the Sustainability Office building. The grant will enable Parks, Recreation and Open Space staff to continue their electrification efforts by purchasing up to 32 electric lawn equipment items, including a lawn mower, snow blower, leaf blowers, and trimmers to replace existing gas-powered equipment. This project will improve air quality and provide quieter operation for staff and the public while reducing the City’s greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels. To further reduce emissions from fossil fuels and improve the comfort of staff, the City will install cold-climate heat pumps at the East Side Utility Shop and Sustainability Office to replace existing natural gas furnaces. Lastly, this project will fund the replacement of inefficient windows at the Sustainability Office with double-pane windows to improve the building envelope.

To begin implementing the approved projects, staff is requesting that City Council ratify the grant agreement with the Department of Energy. The City has up to two years to expend the funds under this award, with an option for a one-year extension. 

The City will be reimbursed for up to 100% of the equipment and installation costs for the approved energy efficiency and conservation projects, up to $133,940. The upfront costs will be covered by the City’s grant fund account. If project costs exceed the grant award, the respective Division’s budget will absorb the overage.

Project Name: Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant
Cost: $133,940
Account Number Budgeted: 214-12-170-0671-0
FY Budgeted Amount: $133,940
Grant Funded: $133,940
Funding Source: Federal

There has not been a previous City Council decision or community discussion on this item.

Failure to ratify the Grant Agreement will require the City to de-obligate the full grant award and prevent staff from executing the energy efficiency projects under this grant award. 

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Goal E&C.2: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

IR-3: Plan for changes to recreation, reduce emissions, and respond to the impacts of climate change on current Parks and Recreation facilities and operations. 

BE-1: Achieve net-zero energy in City of Flagstaff facilities. 

BE-2: Reduce energy consumption in existing  

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