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Wastewater Treatment Plant Energy Efficiency Grant Program

Application Period Closed

The U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) State Energy Program (SEP) provides funding and technical assistance to advance state-led energy initiatives and maximize the benefits of decreasing energy waste, per 10 CFR 420. The Illinois EPA Office of Energy is responsible for establishing projects eligible for funding and an application process with determined criteria for this grant program.

Illinois EPA Office of Energy has previously awarded funding (minimum of $20,000 and maximum of $500,000) to publicly-owned wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) for the implementation of energy efficiency projects. Eligible energy efficiency measures identified in the projects must have been identified in an energy efficiency assessment. Projects were scored and selected based on project cost effectiveness as determined by proposed energy savings (kWh) per dollar invested and energy cost impact. 

Information about previous funding awards are available below.

  1. Funding Opportunity Round One - https://epa.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/epa/about-us/documents/news-releases/2019/04.03.19-IEPA-WWTP-EE-GrantAward-Final.pdf
  2. Funding Opportunity Round Two - https://epa.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/epa/about-us/documents/news-releases/2020/05.06.20-IEPA-WWTP-EEGrants2ndRound-Final.pdf
  3. Funding Opportunity Round Three - https://epa.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/epa/about-us/documents/news-releases/2022/08.23.22-iepa-wwtp-ee-awards-final.pdf

For questions about the WWTP EE Grant Program, please contact EPA.Energy@Illinois.gov. Current grant programs with open application periods are provided at the Office of Energy Funding Opportunity webpage or visit the Illinois EPA's Grants & Loans webpage.