Energy Benchmarking and Efficiency at Community Colleges (EBECC)

The U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) State Energy Program Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (SEP- IIJA) funding provides technical assistance to advance state-led energy initiatives and maximize the benefits of decreasing energy waste. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) Office of Energy is responsible for state-level program development and management. Funds in the amount of $1.4 million from USDOE and administered by the Illinois EPA make possible IGEN’s grant opportunity for the development, management, and implementation of a comprehensive community college energy benchmarking program and assistive services to financially constrained community colleges throughout Illinois. Qualified colleges will be eligible to receive technical assistance for energy consumption benchmarking as well as energy efficiency & energy reduction planning. The program will encourage financially constrained community colleges to analyze past, present, and future energy consumption behaviors and best management practices; propose energy reduction strategies; and offer hands-on analytical educational opportunities for students and community members.