The Nebraska Department of Water, Energy and Environment (DWEE) has announced the application period for counties, cities, and villages to apply for Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG).

The application period is open through April 15, 2026. Decisions on awarded projects will be made by April 30, 2026, and be awarded by May 31, 2026.

In 2024, DWEE was awarded $1.779 million in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to support local communities in implementing high-impact, self-sustaining energy efficiency projects through a competitive subaward grant process. 

DWEE funded 14 projects, totaling $1.1 million, in 2024. Those projects are now underway or completed. The Department is opening this supplemental funding opportunity to award additional projects.

Applications are open to Nebraska counties and local communities who were not eligible for a federal EECBG allocation. Eligible projects include upgrades to improve performance of building envelope for government structures, heating, air and ventilation upgrades, replacement of existing lighting to more energy efficient lighting equipment, and energy efficiency workforce development and training.

Projects for these competitive grants should improve the community by providing long-lasting benefits such as increasing energy efficiency, decreasing the community’s energy burden, and promoting workforce development in energy efficiency.

EECBG applications, instructions, and other supporting documents can be found on the program application page. More information about the EECBG program can also be found on the EECBG landing page.