Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program, funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, is designed to assist states, local governments, and Tribes in implementing strategies to reduce energy use and improve energy efficiency. TDEC was allocated a total of $2,484,530 for the EECBG Program.

By combining Tennessee’s EECBG Program with 25% for grants and technical assistance from its Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Capitalization Grant Program allocation, TDEC OEP will fund $4.6 million in subgrants to the fiscal year 2025 distressed counties, as defined by the Appalachian Regional Commission. The formula for determining the county allocations took into account a variety of data points, including energy burden, the number of high-need buildings (Title 1 schools and affordable housing properties) on a per capita basis, and the TDEC Ability to Pay Index.

TDEC’s EECBG Program will fund audits of and energy efficiency upgrades to county-owned, commercial buildings with multi-use purposes that support community resilience or that are deemed critical facilities. Examples of eligible buildings include K-12 schools, hospitals, emergency management facilities, and/or community centers, all of which may also function as emergency shelters or staging areas during emergency response and recovery efforts. 

Resources

Key Compliance Requirements

Build America, Buy America (BABA) 

The Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act requires subrecipients, contractors, and subcontractors of federal financial assistance programs to ensure that iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in infrastructure projects are produced in the United States; include appropriate contract and subcontract provisions explaining BABA requirements and self-certification of compliance with domestic preference requirements; and, when necessary, request a waiver from the federal awarding agency if the circumstances meet an allowable waiver type, such as nonavailability, unreasonable cost, or public interest. Subrecipients, contractors, and subcontractors should consult TDEC OEP or the sources on this webpage for sample language and waiver steps to support timely review.

BABA Resources:

Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA)

The Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA) require that contractors and subcontractors performing construction, alteration, or repair work on federally funded projects pay laborers and mechanics no less than the locally prevailing wages and fringe benefits determined by the U.S. Department of Labor. Subrecipients must incorporate required DBA contract provisions into all applicable contracts and ensure that contractors comply with wage determinations, certified payroll reporting, and labor standards. Contractors are responsible for submitting weekly certified payrolls (through the required system LCPtracker), maintaining accurate labor classifications, and resolving any wage discrepancies. Subrecipients must review payroll submissions, monitor compliance throughout construction, and retain documentation to demonstrate adherence to federal labor standards.

Contractors and subcontractors performing covered construction work are required to submit weekly certified payrolls through LCPtracker for each week in which work is performed. Subrecipients are responsible for ensuring contractors are registered in LCPtracker, reviewing payroll submissions for compliance with applicable wage determinations and labor standards, and maintaining documentation supporting payroll review and approval. The LCPtracker login page and training resources are linked below.

DBRA Resources:

  • Wage Determination: Wage determinations establish the minimum hourly wages and fringe benefits that must be paid to laborers and mechanics for covered construction activities. TDEC OEP will assist in identifying the applicable U.S. Department of Labor wage determination(s) for inclusion in all construction contracts. Subrecipients must ensure the correct wage determination is incorporated at the time of solicitation and award and applied throughout the project. If needed, current wage determinations can be accessed on SAM.gov by searching by project location (county) and construction type (e.g., building, heavy, highway, residential). Subrecipients are responsible for confirming that the appropriate wage determination is included in contracts and for coordinating with OEP if modifications or updates are required prior to award.
  • DBRA Contract Language: Subrecipients must include the required Davis-Bacon labor standards clauses at 29 CFR § 5.5(a) in full in all covered construction contracts and must include the applicable U.S. Department of Labor wage determination(s). Contractors must flow these clauses and wage determination(s) down to all applicable subcontracts and lower-tier subcontracts.
  • Davis-Bacon Poster (WH-1321): Required to be posted at the construction site for the duration of covered work.
  • LCPtracker Login Page
  • Instructions for Certified Payroll and other guidance and training materials related to Davis-Bacon compliance, including certified payroll submission, payroll review, Prime Approver responsibilities, and LCPtracker system use, are available through the links below:

Additional Federal Compliance Requirements

  • Reporting Templates: Subrecipients must use TDEC OEP reporting and reimbursement templates for quarterly performance reporting and monthly invoice requests. Reporting requirements, due dates, and template forms are in Appendix B and Appendix C of the EECBG Program Manual.
  • Title VI Requirements: Civil rights compliance requirements for federally funded programs. Title VI requirements are located in the “Additional Considerations” section on page 4 and Appendix A on page I of the Program Manual.
  •  National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA): NEPA and related environmental review requirements are discussed on page 9 of the Program Manual under “U.S. DOE Implementation of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Other Acts.” No project work may begin before TDEC OEP approval.
  •  National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA): NHPA and Section 106 review requirements are also discussed on page 9 of the Program Manual, and the State Historic Preservation Agreement is included as Attachment 3. Grantees should review these requirements and coordinate with TDEC OEP to confirm whether project activities align with applicable exemptions or require additional review. Additional Section 106 resources are available through the Tennessee State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).

Compliance Statement of Responsibility

Compliance requirements must be incorporated into project implementation, including procurement, contracting, construction, and reimbursement processes. Subrecipients are responsible for ensuring that contractors and vendors meet applicable requirements and that all required documentation is submitted and retained. This page is intended to support understanding and implementation of EECBG compliance requirements. Official requirements are governed by federal law, agency guidance, and award terms and conditions. 

This Page Last Updated: May 22, 2026 at 3:40 PM