WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the launch of a technical assistance program that will support projects funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through DOE’s State Energy Program (SEP) and Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG). Funded with up to $25 million under the Recovery Act, DOE said the program will provide states and cities with the tools and resources they need to implement successful and sustainable renewable energy projects, such as wind farms and solar power systems, and deploy cost-effective and reliable energy-saving technologies in buildings and infrastructure nationwide. The Technical Assistance Program (TAP) - which is jointly-funded with EECBG and SEP Recovery Act funds - is designed to help accelerate project execution, improve program performance, and increase return on investment.

TAP offers a range of resources including one-on-one assistance, an extensive online resource library, and a peer-exchange forum for best practices and lessons learned to serve the needs of EECBG and SEP grant recipients. The online Solution Center will provide access to the latest information on best practices, case studies, online training and webcasts, an interactive SEP and EECBG project map, and an events calendar. The Solution Center will also house the TAP Blog - a platform that allows grantees to connect with technical and program experts to help them implement these state and local projects.

Through the TAP program, SEP and EECBG grantees and sub-grantees are also eligible to receive free direct assistance from a diverse network of over 200 technical experts including representatives from DOE’s national laboratories, non-profits, stakeholder organizations, and for-profit consulting firms.

These technical assistance providers can provide expertise in energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies, state and local capacity building, financing, performance contracting, and program design and implementation strategies.

Requests for direct assistance can be submitted online via the Technical Assistance Center at https://tac.eecleanenergy.org/ or by calling 877-EERE-TAP (877-337-3827).

For more information, visit the online Solution Center at www1.eere.energy.gov/wip/solutioncenter/ or e-mail solutioncenter@ee.doe.gov.

Publication date:08/02/2010