Energy efficiency conservation block grant

In February 2009, Congress passed and the President signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) which allocated $3.2 billion to the Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program external link , a Department of Energy program which was initially authorized in 2007 but had not received an appropriation of funds.

The EECBG program offers block grant recipients (cities, counties and states) funds to implement strategies that reduce fossil fuel emissions in a way that is environmentally sustainable and maximizes benefits for local and regional communities, reduce total energy use, and improve energy efficiency in the transportation, building, and other energy consuming sectors. Funds must be spent within 36 months of the award.

On September 8, 2009, the City of Bloomington was awarded $876,800 in one time funding directly from this source.

The Department of Energy encouraged grantees to prioritize programs and projects that:

Leverage other public and private resources.
Enhance workforce development.
Persist beyond the funding period.

EECBG grantees are expected to ensure transparency and accountability through this process. Each project will require success to be measured using the following metrics:

Jobs created and/or retained.
Energy savings on a per dollar invested basis.
Renewable energy capacity installed.
Greenhouse gas emissions reduced.
Funds leveraged.

The Department of Energy approved the EECBG funding of four Bloomington projects, three of which are underway.

86th Street Multi Modal Traffic Study: The City has hired a consultant to complete a study that will develop a preliminary design for balancing vehicles, pedestrian and bicycle needs for the 86th Street corridor. Amount: $100,000. More information is available on the 86th Street study web page.
Traffic Signal Improvement Study: The City has hired a consultant to complete a traffic signal and corridor timing improvement project. This project will include prioritizing corridors and individual signals within the system, and then develop and implement signal timing optimization plans and corridor synchronization. Amount: $200,000. More information is available on the Signal Timing / Optimization Project web page.
District Energy Study: This project will assess and evaluate District Energy system feasibility for South Loop District. The study will consist of analyses, including existing and future greenhouse gas emissions, energy needs and consumption, opportunities for energy efficiency and renewable energy use, District Energy system parameters for energy production and distribution, and land use and planning factors. Amount: $200,000. More information about the District Energy study is available at the South Loop District Energy web page.
Bikeway Upgrade & Conversion: City staff will design construction plans for converting and upgrading the 1.1 mile segment of Bloomington Ferry Road trail from Pioneer Trail to Veness Road. This project will consist of removing the existing seven-foot wide trail and constructing a ten-foot wide combined two-way bikeway/sidewalk. Amount: $376,800.

For more information, contact:

Jen Desrude, Engineering Development Coordinator
1700 W. 98th Street
PH: 952-563-4862, TTY: 952-563-8740
E-mail: jdesrude@ci.bloomington.mn.us