2026 Community Energy Management Program Application

Important Note: This application cannot be saved midway through. To prevent the loss of any progress, it is highly recommended that you print or copy the application questions to a separate document - giving you time to review and prepare the required information before submitting.

Program Summary: The Community Energy Management Program (CEM) is designed to meet applicants wherever they are on the energy management spectrum. Accordingly, CEM can be used to fund a range of energy-related projects such as, but not limited to, energy management, energy efficiency, renewable energy, fleet electrification, EV charging infrastructure, sustainable financing solutions, and/or clean energy workforce development. Review the Eligibility Criteria section of the request for proposals to see the full list of eligible projects.

*Renewable energy projects will only be considered after all, or a majority of, energy efficiency upgrades have been completed as identified in an ASHRAE Level II audit.

Eligibility Requirements: Applicants must be physically located in Michigan and one of the following:
  • Local Government
  • Tribal Government
  • Other Public Service Entity
*At this time, public schools and universities are not eligible to apply for the CEM program.

Funding Amount: A total of $750,000 in funding is available through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) State Energy Program (SEP)'s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (SEP BIL) allocation. The minimum and maximum grant award size for this allocation is:
  • The minimum individual grant award is $5,000.
  • The maximum individual grant award is $50,000.

Award Process:
Submitted applications will go through an evaluation and risk assessment. Selected applicants will be notified of the funding decision via email. If awarded, the awardee will receive a grant agreement that depicts the terms and conditions of the award. EGLE WILL NOT REIMBURSE EXPENDITURES THAT HAVE OCCURED BEFORE A GRANT AGREEMENT HAS BEEN EXECUTED.
  • This is a non-competitive award. Proposals that meet the entity and project eligibility requirements will be awarded on a rolling basis.
There is no application deadline. Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis until all the funding is allocated.
1.Organization Information
A Unique Entity ID # (UEI) is required for an award:
  • Please ensure that your entity has an Active UEI Registration in SAM.gov. Check status HERE.
  • If your entity only has an "ID Assigned" or if your UEI # has expired, we will be unable to provide an award until the registration becomes active.
(Required.)
2.Organization Type(Required.)
3.Eligibility Type(Required.)
4.Organization Address
Please enter the address listed on the organization's SIGMA account.
  • Ensure that the address in SIGMA is marked as the Default Address and is labeled as an Ordering Address. Check status HERE.
  • The location of the proposed project does not need to match the address in SIGMA.
(Required.)
5.Please verify the Michigan County where work will take place(Required.)
6.Contact Information
Each grant will have a signatory contact and a primary contact. These can be the same person. Grant communications will reach both contacts by email.
  • Signatory Contact: This person will sign the grant agreement and be responsible for other official documents.
  • Primary Contact: This person will be the main point of contact and be responsible for submitting progress reports and payment requests.
(Required.)
7.Has the applicant conducted any previous energy management work (e.g., energy plans, benchmarks, audits, projects, etc.)?(Required.)
8.State the problem and describe the need for the proposed project.(Required.)
9.Provide a concise overview of the proposed project.(Required.)
10.List the task(s) (i.e. Energy audits, energy efficiency upgrades, EV procurement, etc.) that the applicant seeks to complete with this proposal according to Section I-D in the RFP (pg. 5-6) and describe how each task will be accomplished.(Required.)
11.Briefly describe the plan to dispose of any materials generated as a result of the proposed project (e.g., old light bulbs, appliances, etc.).(Required.)
12.Anticipated Project Deliverables - Buildings
*If there are no building-related deliverables anticipated, enter N/A.
(Required.)
13.Anticipated Project Deliverables - Other
*If there are no other deliverables anticipated, enter N/A.
(Required.)
14.Anticipated Project Timeline(Required.)
15.Will the applicant use any utility rebates for the proposed project?(Required.)
16.Requested award amount (maximum is $50,000)(Required.)
17.Total project expenses
While match funding is not required through this program, other funds may be used to help fund larger projects with expenses greater than the CEM award.
  • Please list the total expenses of your proposed project, including the requested award amount above (Max $50,000).
  • If you plan to use ONLY the awarded grant funds to cover project expenses, then the amount listed here should match the requested award in Question 16.
(Required.)
18.Approved Budget Form To download, copy THIS LINK and paste it into a new tab in your browser.
  • Use this spreadsheet to detail your proposed project budget. The spreadsheet "Grant ($)" column total should match the award amount requested above in question 16.
  • Similarly, use the spreadsheet "Match ($)" columns to detail any additional expenses your entity plans to incur beyond the grant funds requested.
  • With both "Grant ($)" and "Match ($)" expenses filled out, the "Total ($)" column at the bottom of the spreadsheet should match the total project expenses listed above in question 17. *To prevent any delays in reviewing your submission, please ensure that these figures match.
(Required.)
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19.Will the project include the purchase of a Vehicle or single piece of Equipment (HVAC system, boiler, heat pump, etc.) costing $10,000 or more?(Required.)
20.Has the applicant received $750,000 or more in federal awards during their current fiscal year?(Required.)
21.A-133 Audit (If Applicable)
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22.Does the applicant have any pending litigation or existing legal obligations which may impact their ability to perform the proposed project?(Required.)
23.Davis-Bacon Act (DBA) - Prevailing Wage Reporting
Please answer the question below to help determine if DBA reporting is required for your proposed project.

Does the proposed project include OVER $2,000 paid to a contractor(s) performing work, construction, alteration, installation, or repair of public buildings or infrastructure?
(Required.)
24.State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) - Section 106 Review
Please answer the question below to help determine if a SHPO Section 106 Review is required for your proposed project.

Does the proposed project include ground-disturbing activity OR work/alterations on building(s) that is/are at least fifty years of age or older? (i.e. any energy efficiency upgrades, solar installation, etc.)
(Required.)
25.Build America, Buy America (BABA) - Requirement
Please answer the question below to help determine if the BABA requirement applies to your proposed project.

Does the proposed project include retrofits/alterations on a building(s), infrastructure upgrades (streetlight, etc.), or renewable energy systems AND have a total project cost of MORE than $250,000? (Total project cost should have been determined for Question 17)
(Required.)
26.Build America, Buy America (BABA) - Compliance Documentation (If Applicable)
If you selected "Yes" for the question above, please attach the required compliance documentation:

To prove compliance, you must either:
  • Get a letter of compliance from the manufacturer that certifies that the product meets the BABA Requirement. This letter is required for each piece of equipment. *Note: The letter does not need to be in any standard form or template. Additionally, make sure it meets BABA, not just the Buy American requirements that was in place during ARRA.
  • OR submit a waiver request to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) if there are no products available or they meet the unreasonable cost standards. Click HERE for the waiver.
*Either the letter of compliance OR approved waiver request will be required BEFORE funding can be awarded. This is only required for proposals with a total cost that exceed $250,000.
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27.National Environmental Policy Act Form (If Applicable) To download, copy THIS LINK and paste it into a new tab in your browser
To check applicability, click HERE
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28.Certificate of Indirect Costs (If Applicable) To download, click HERE
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29.Price Estimates/Quotes (Optional)
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30.Energy Management Documents (If Applicable)
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31.Additional Documents (Optional)
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32.Assurances(Required.)