COLUMBIA, SC — The South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff - Energy Office (SCEO) announces Round 2 of the SC Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (SC EECBG) competitive program. Round 2 is open to an expanded list of eligible entities in South Carolina. The program guidance and application forms are available on the Energy Office website. The Round 2 application period opened on March 18 and will close on April 15, 2024.

The SC EECBG program is funded through the US Department of Energy’s (US DOE) EECBG program. Through the state program, the SCEO will provide funding to support local governmental projects that improve energy efficiency, cut carbon emissions, and reduce energy use in South Carolina. The SCEO plans to award no more than 30 subgrants, ranging from $50,000 to $75,000 each. In February 2024, the SCEO selected several projects in Round 1.

The SCEO will host an informational webinar on March 25, 2024, at 2:00 pm ET to review the updated subgrant guidance and application forms and to share project ideas with participants. Register here. To receive updates regarding the SC EECBG competitive program, please email energycs@ors.sc.gov.

Round 2 - SC EECBG eligible applicants include:

  • Counties or municipalities that are ineligible for US DOE EECBG Funding,
  • Local public authorities,
  • School districts,
  • Special districts,
  • Councils of Governments (COGs),
  • Any other regional or intrastate governmental entity or instrumentality of a local government.

Visit the US DOE EECBG Local Government Allocations for a listing of units of local government eligible to receive federal funding directly from the US DOE. These listed units of local government are not eligible to apply for or receive SC EECBG competitive program funding.

Learn more by visiting https://www.energy.sc.gov/programs/funding/energy-efficiency-and-conservation-block-grant-eecbg-program.  Questions may be sent via email to energycs@ors.sc.gov.