Cincinnati was awarded $3,520,600 from the Department of Energy through Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) in December 2009. The grant is being used to fund eight projects approved by City Council, including

• Energy Services Performance Contracts for City buildings

• Energy efficiency retrofits with Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance

• Trail improvements for both the Mill Creek Restoration Project's Queen City-South Mill Creek Greenway Trail and the City's Ohio River Trail

• Recycling Enhancements to the City's recycling program

• Outreach efforts for the Green Cincinnati Plan, Urban Gardens, and Building Codes.

Energy Services Performance Contracts

The $1,265,120 approved for Energy Services Performance Contracts is being used for energy improvements in 69 City-owned facilities, and will result in nearly $1.1 million of annual energy savings to the City. The project will leverage nearly $14 million and is anticipated to be completed in early 2011.

Energy Efficiency Retrofits

Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance is a non-profit organization that provides educational, project management, and financing services for energy efficiency improvements in the residential, commercial and non-profit sectors. The purpose of the Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance is to lead the Tri-State effort in energy efficiency retrofits in all non-government owned buildings.

Trail Improvements

Mill Creek Restoration Project's Queen City-South Mill Creek Greenway Trail is utilizing $100,000 of EECBG dollars to work on Phases II and III of the trail. Work will include an economic analysis of the trail's impact; utility and property surveys; and preliminary landscape, engineering, and signage designs. Mill Creek Restoration Project is also leveraging EECBG funds to secure an additional $500,000 Clean Ohio Trail Fund grant for trail construction. Once completed, the 3.4 mile long trail will be a key component of the City's Mill Creek Greenway Program and link nearby residential neighborhoods, business districts, Salway Park and scenic Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum. For more information about Mill Creek Restoration Project, go to: MillCreekRestoration.org.

The Ohio River Trail will ultimately run along the Ohio River from Lunken Airport to the City’s urban core. Cincinnati is using EECBG funds for the ninth segment of the Trail, which runs from Corbin to Collins. Work will include preparation of environmental assessment documents and preliminary engineering designs. This trail sub-segment will extend the existing 1-mile section, which goes from Corbin Street to Congress Avenue.

Recycling Enhancements

Recycling Enhancements leverages $3.8M of bond funds with an investment of only $832,610 of EECBG funds. The distribution of larger-sized wheeled recycling carts will be completed in the winter of 2011 when every eligible household in the City has received a cart. Preliminary results already show an increase in recycled material collected and therefore saving the City money through increased landfill diversion.  

Outreach Efforts

The Green Cincinnati Plan Advocacy project is using $50,000 from EECBG to obtain the Green House Gas inventory and with that information, promote the Green Cincinnati Plan for Cincinnatians to continue saving energy and increasing the City’s economic viability/vitality. Other outreach efforts with the funds also include educational information in support of the Recycling Enhancements.

Urban Gardens is utilizing vacant City-owned property for urban agriculture. Under the guidance of the Civic Garden Center, local residents are receiving agricultural training, resource support and materials for site enhancement.

The Building Codes project purchased educational materials on a variety of energy efficiency topics and they are available for everyone’s use at the Resource Center at 3300 Central Parkway. EECBG funds will also be used to create a web-based educational resource to inform the construction community about Code requirements and the positive benefits of energy efficient building standards. 

For information on all the City’s projects funded by the American Recovery Reinvestment Act (ARRA), go to: http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/noncms/projects/stimulus/arra_grants.cfm

Background On EECBG

In March, 2008, Cincinnati City Council approved a motion directing the Administration to apply for the US Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) as outlined in the federal government Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) appropriated $3.2 billion for EECBG, including $2.6 billion for formula allocations to cities, counties, and states. In March, 2009, the Department of Energy announced the formula allocations, providing for $3,520,600 for the City of Cincinnati. Up to 20% of grant funds may be used for sub-grants to nongovernmental organizations, up to 10% may be used for administrative expenses, and up to 20% may be used for revolving loan funds.

The City Manager assigned the lead in developing the City's EECBG plan to the Office of Environmental Quality (OEQ). OEQ began the process by soliciting funding request and gathering project information from City departments and external organizations. $77 million worth of project funding requests were received, more than 22 times the amount allotted to Cincinnati through the formula grant. OEQ clustered all projects into seven primary categories:

1. City Facilities
2. Non-government Organizations
3. Renewable Energy
4. Transportation
5. Recycling
6. Outreach
7. Administration

Project evaluations focused on the project's ability to

• meet the primary purpose of the block grant;
• advance established City priorities;
• transform Cincinnati;
• create or retain jobs; and
• leverage other available funds

The City submitted its grant application in June, 2009 and was awarded $3,520,600 of EECBG funds in November 2009. The duration of the grant is 3 years.