Warner and Kaine Announce Over $3.4 Million in Federal Funding to Support Clean Energy Projects and Lower Energy Costs in Virginia

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $3,418,290 in federal funding to support clean energy projects across Virginia. This funding was awarded through the Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program, which was made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, landmark legislation that the senators helped pass.

"We're proud of the steps we've taken to advance Virginia's clean energy transition, and we're excited that over $3.4 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law we passed is headed to communities across the Commonwealth to support clean energy projects," said the senators. "We look forward to seeing how these projects will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower energy costs for Virginians."

The funding is allocated as follows:

• $2,646,050 for the Commonwealth of Virginia to launch a marketing, education, and outreach (MEO) program to help residents decrease their energy costs and navigate financial incentives for home electrification and energy efficiency upgrades. The funding will also be used to create outreach materials in multiple languages. 60% of the funding will be sub-granted to small and rural local governments for energy efficiency and clean energy projects.
• $350,900 for Loudoun County to partner with the Department of Housing and Community Development to expand its housing program with energy audits of owner-occupied residences, develop a plan to reduce the energy burden of disadvantaged populations in Loudoun County, support the goals of the county's energy strategy, and conduct 40 energy audits of municipal buildings.
• $267,820 for Arlington County to support a program that incentivizes residents to adopt lower-emission transportation options and shift from single-occupancy vehicle trips to e-bikes.
• $76,840 for the City of Charlottesville to launch a program to conduct residential energy audits for 165 low- and moderate-income households in partnership with a local nonprofit. This will help individuals determine energy inefficiencies in their households and educate residents on how to access the Inflation Reduction Act's Home Energy Rebates and other energy efficiency incentives; these rebates and incentives will help residents finance energy efficiency upgrades and reduce energy costs.
• $76,680 for the Town of Blacksburg to enhance the safety and functionality of community bicycle routes by adding 4,867 square feet of high-visibility green bars, 14,867 linear feet of additional white lines, and 53 additional person or bike symbols on existing bike lanes.

Warner and Kaine have long supported efforts to expand and promote clean energy across the Commonwealth. Across the board, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has made several investments in clean energy across the Commonwealth, including to purchase low- and no-emission school buses and improve electric grid resiliency. The Inflation Reduction Act, which the senators voted to pass, also included several provisions to accelerate clean energy projects and create jobs. Thanks to the IRA, Virginia has received over $1 billion in investments for clean energy manufacturing projects, including $681 million for LS Greenlink in Chesapeake, $400 million for Topsoe in Chesterfield, and $208 million for Mack and Volvo Trucks in Dublin. Last year, Kaine hosted an event with the U.S. Department of Energy in Big Stone Gap to bring local leaders, state and federal government officials, and businesses together to strategize on how to take advantage of the IRA's clean energy provisions and help create jobs and boost economic development in Virginia. Additionally, they advocated for and secured hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding for initiatives that reduce utility costs for Virginians, including the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

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