Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
FROM:	Jonathan Douglass, Assistant to the City Manager
CC:	Cynthia Boecker, Assistant City Manager Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager
DATE:	January 3, 2008
RE:	Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program

On December 19, 2007, President Bush signed into law The Energy Independence and Security Act (H.R. 6). The bill includes provisions creating a $10 billion Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, which will provide funds for eligible entities to reduce fossil fuel emissions, reduce total energy use, and improve energy efficiency in the transportation, building and other sectors. Please see the attached National Cities Weekly article and the relevant section of the bill itself.

Eligible activities for funding may include formulating and implementing energy efficiency and conservation strategies, building and home energy conservation programs, energy audits, fuel conservation programs, building retrofits to increase energy efficiency, alternative energy programs, installation of LED lights in traffic signals and installation of renewable energy technology (e.g. solar and wind powered electricity generators) on government buildings.

Detailed information on the grant program, including application timelines, is not yet available. Staff will track the development of this program for possible City of Lawrence application opportunities.