The Town Crier - Legislative Backgrounder

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program is designed to assist states, local governments, and Tribes in implementing strategies to reduce energy use, reduce fossil fuel emissions, and improve energy efficiency. The U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) announced that the application process is open to municipalities through January 2024. There are 66 pre-eligible municipalities in New Jersey based on the final formula grant funding allocations of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021. A local government webinar will be held on Jan. 26, from 1–2 p.m. Advanced registration is required. All eligible entities must complete a pre-award application sheet by April 28. Local governments have until January 2024 to submit an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy to receive the formula funding.  

This week, Governor Phil Murphy announced that the federal government approved New Jersey’s plan to spend $228 million of federal Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds to assist households and communities that were impacted by Hurricane Ida in 2021.

The Division of Local Government Services has issued Local Finance Notice 2023-02 providing specific instruction and direction to municipalities considering holding a public referendum on exceeding the 2% Levy Cap or the 2.5% Appropriation Cap. If your municipality is considering a public referendum, we suggest that you review this Local Finance Notice with your professional staff.