• A round of funding provided by last year's Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will inject $550 million into the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, which seeks to help them reduce fossil fuel emissions, total energy use and improve the efficiency of transportation infrastructure, buildings, and other sectors.
• The grants can be used to develop and implement a wide range of energy efficiency and conservation projects, including energy audits of buildings and facilities, adopting energy-efficient building codes, and installing renewable energy generation technology on government buildings or other uses outlined in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.
• States and territories -- as well as 774 tribes and 1,878 municipal and county governments -- are eligible for funding under the program, with approximately 68% of the funds will go to local governments, 28% to states, and 2% to tribes.
• DOE officials noted that the funding will be available until all of it is claimed, with the grant application process expected to open in January. 

• With more than 70% of the U.S. power grid at least 25 years old, the Biden administration has made $13 billion in financing available to states, utilities, and others for upgrades.
• The White House said a robust transmission system is necessary to withstand extreme weather and deliver wind and solar power to towns and cities as Mr. Bien tries to cut emissions by 50% in 2030 compared to 2005 levels.
• The grid resilience utility and industry grant program includes $2.5 billion to support modernization to reduce effects of extreme weather and natural disasters in power disruption, the U.S. Dept. of Energy's grid development office said.

Haley & Aldrich, Inc. (Haley & Aldrich), a Massachusetts-based environmental and engineering consulting firm, has acquired Cal Engineering & Geology, Inc. (CE&G), a California-based geotechnical engineering consulting and design firm that provides the full range of geotechnical and geologic investigation, analysis, and reporting, plus observation and testing services during construction. The acquisition of CE&G will enhance Haley & Aldrich's environmental and geotechnical engineering expertise -- which includes extensive seismic and resilience engineering experience -- and strengthens both firms’ abilities to help clients address pressing geotechnical, environmental, and sustainability issues, taking projects from planning through design and implementation.  

PA Consulting Group Limited (PA Consulting), a United Kingdom-based innovation and transformation consulting firm and a subsidiary of Jacobs, has acquired The Cambridge Group (TCG), an Illinois-based growth strategy consulting firm working with clients in the consumer, retail, and healthcare industries. The acquisition of TCG will enhance PA Consulting's growth and innovation strategy capabilities and expand its operating footprint in the mid-west region. The move will also bolster PA’s consumer and retail sector practice and help PA Consulting better serve clients within the sector.