On December 18, 2023, DOE announced funding for up to $530 million in technical assistance competitive grants for the Latest and Zero Building Energy Codes program administered through DOE’s Office of State and Community Energy Programs. Funding is provided by IRA section 50131, which allocated $1 billion to DOE to assist states with creating model building energy efficiency codes. Grants are to assist with the adoption and implementation of the latest model energy codes, zero energy codes, building performance standards, and innovative codes that achieve equivalent energy savings. Eligible states, territories, or units of local governments with the authority to adopt building codes must submit brief concept papers by February 9, 2024 which are required in order to submit a full application that is due April 30, 2024.
This new competitive funding expands upon a previous formula funding announcement for states, territories, and certain localities. The December 18 announcement expands qualifying activities to include customized codes and innovative code approaches such as building performance standards. States and territories pursuing the previously released formula funding opportunity now have until January 31, 2024, to submit their letter of intent (LOI) to reserve formula funding. States and territories that have already submitted their LOI can now start the full application process.