The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant was created in 2007 by the Energy Independence and Security Act but did not having any funding until the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was passed in 2009.

During the summer of 2009, as this blog reported, the awards to each state were announced.  It was divided into two parts, funds for projects the state would manage and funds to be distributed based on a competitive qualification process to state municipalities and county governments. 

Through a collaborative effort, Heartland Alternative Energy and the cities of Manchester and Ballwin are proud to announce that a portion of the EECBG, now referred to as the Energize Missouri Communities Program, has been awarded to the cities in order to implement projects that range from adding insulation and photovoltaic arrays, to replacing outdated, inefficient indoor lighting and HVAC equipment.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources, who was administering the grant money for the state, reports that early estimates show 105 jobs will be created as a result of this funding, as well as 47,750,000 kilowatt-hour saved per year and 11,6567 tons of CO2 reduced, or the equivalent of 2,022 cars removed from the roads.