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  , 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:
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Leverage other public and private resources.
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Enhance workforce development.
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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:
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Jobs created and/or retained.
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Energy savings on a per dollar invested basis.
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Renewable energy capacity installed.
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Greenhouse gas emissions reduced.
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Funds leveraged.
The Department of Energy approved the EECBG funding of five Bloomington projects, three of which
are completed.
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86th Street Multi Modal Traffic Study (completed): 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: $77,400. More information is available
on the 86th Street study web
page.
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86th Street Multi Modal Implementation Project (completed): The City implemented
the recommendations of the 86th Street Multi Modal study, in which 86th Street was modified to balance
vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles needs. Amount: $195,700.
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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.
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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: $200,800. More information about the District Energy
study is available at the South Loop District Energy web
page.
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Bikeway Upgrade
&
Conversion (completed): 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: $202,900.
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
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