Efficient and Resilient Public Building Grant

Efficient and Resilient Public Building Grant

Illinois EPA Office of Energy is offering funding for energy efficiency projects at public buildings providing local government services. Eligible applicants include municipalities, counties, and other units of local government.

• "Municipalities" includes cities, villages and incorporated towns.
• "Units of local government" include counties, municipalities, townships, special districts, and units, designated as units of local government by law, which exercise limited governmental powers or powers in respect to limited governmental subjects.
• School districts are NOT eligible.

Eligible projects must include energy efficiency upgrades identified in an energy efficiency assessment or audit conducted within the last 5 years.

Examples of eligible projects include:

• Building envelope insulation
• Window replacement
• Lighting upgrades (indoor and/or outdoor)
• Programmable thermostats and occupancy sensors
• Heating and cooling system retrofit
• High efficiency appliances
• Transfer Switch* (Does not need to be included in an energy assessment)

*Applicants may include (not required) a transfer switch in their energy efficiency retrofit project for an emergency generator. A transfer switch enables a building to smoothly transition from utility power to supplemental generators during an emergency. A generator transfer switch is required by the National Electrical Code (NEC) to connect a backup generator to a building’s electrical system. The transfer switch prevents “backfeed” of power into utility lines, which can be deadly for utility workers and damage equipment.

For this program, an "energy efficiency assessment" or "energy efficiency audit" means a review of the property conducted by a third-party professional that results in written recommendations aimed at improving energy efficiency or reducing energy costs. A copy of the assessment must be submitted with application.

Applications will be evaluated based on total dollars and total kilowatts saved by the proposed project. The number of awards depends on the volume of applications received and the level of funding requested. Partial awards may be offered, depending on available resources.

Award recipients will have 12 months to complete their project. The award will not allow for reimbursement of costs incurred prior to the effective date of the grant agreement or after the project period in the grant agreement ends. All payment requests must be submitted no later than 60 days after the end date of the grant agreement.

Details

• Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection
• Departments: Office of Energy
• CSFA Number: 532-30-3975
• CSFA Popular Name: Public Building Energy Efficiency Grant
• Funding Opportunity Number: 27-3975-01
• Assistance Listings Number: 81.041
• Announcement Type: Initial Announcement
• Award Type: Competitive
• Total Funding Available: $766,600.00
• Expected Number of Awards: 8
• Funding Sources: Federal Or Federal Pass Through
• Capital Grant: No
• Indirect Costs Allowed: Yes
• Posted Date: 2026-08-18

Funding Source Description

The U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) State Energy Program funding provides technical assistance to advance state-led energy initiatives and maximize the benefits of reducing energy waste, per 10 CFR 420. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) Office of Energy is responsible for the state-level program development and management.

Funding Restrictions

Refer to 2 CFR 200, as amended by 2 CFR 910 regulations - Subpart E- Cost Principles and 44 Ill.Admin.Code Part 7000

State Award Notices

Initial notice of award will be sent to the applicant via Euna Grants with a follow up email from the Office of Energy Projects Coordinator. After all prerequisites have been completed, the Grant Agreement between the Illinois EPA and the applicant will be sent for the applicant to sign and return. Once the Grant Agreement is fully executed by the Illinois EPA, a copy will be returned to the applicant.

Only after the Grant Agreement has been signed by the Director of the Illinois EPA can expenses be incurred for grant reimbursement. Any expenses incurred outside of the grant period (before or after) are not eligible either as match or for reimbursement related to the grant.

Administrative and National Policy Requirements

Grant agreements from this funding opportunity are administered under the Code of Federal Regulations at 2 CFR 200. The Grant Funds Recovery Act (30 ILCS 705) also governs all grant agreements resulting from this NOFO, except in the event of a conflict between the Illinois Grant Funds Recovery Act and the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act. In this circumstance, the provisions of the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act control.

Reporting

All grantees will be required to submit quarterly reports to the Illinois EPA Office of Energy.
• The Performance and Financial Reports are required quarterly with a final cumulative report at the end of the performance period. More frequent reports may be required for individual grantees pursuant to specific award conditions.
• Quarterly reports must be submitted no later than 20 calendar days following the three-month period covered by the report. Failure to submit the required reports may cause a delay or suspension of funding.
• Quarterly reports will be due on October 20, January 20, April 20, and July 20 over the duration of the grant project period.
• Quarterly reports will be consistent with the Grant Funds Recovery Act (30 ILCS 705). Grantees will also be required to submit cumulative performance and financial close-out reports. Any additional reporting requirements will be outlined in the award agreement executed.

Additional Information

https://epa.illinois.gov/topics/energy/energy-efficiency/public-buildings-energy-efficiency-grant-program.html

https://epa.illinois.gov/topics/energy/energy-efficiency/public-buildings-energy-efficiency-grant-program.html