What is the current status of this program?
Funding that had not yet been obligated for this program was eliminated in the budget reconciliation bill signed on July 4, 2025. This means the program will not receive future funding, either. However, the NC and SC State Energy Offices were expected to use the funds they were awarded to work with partner organizations and set up training programs. We are waiting to hear if any of that funding was already with the states and therefore able to be used.
What does this funding get me?
This program is also known as Training for Residential Energy Contractors (TREC). This Department of Energy (DOE) program made $200 million available to state energy offices ($150 million as formula grants and the rest as competitive grants) to train, test, and certify residential energy efficiency and electrification contractors, many of whom will be doing the work on improvements eligible for rebates under the $8.8 billion HEAR and HER home energy rebate programs. States can work with nonprofits or other partner organizations to develop and implement these programs that will prepare contractors and their employees to bring clean energy technologies into homes.
Am I eligible?
Only states and territories could receive the grants. States will receive formula grants of a combined $150 million, with North Carolina receiving $3,698,030 and South Carolina $2,397,600. The NC and SC State Energy Offices may set up training programs themselves or work with partner organizations to set up and run training programs.
In addition, states could apply for a competitive grant of up to $5 million by January 15, 2025.
How can I access the money?
To access formula funds, states and territories determined their residential energy efficiency and electrification workforce needs and submitted applications to meet those needs. This deadline passed in April 2024. When the training programs are established, we will post details on this page and provide instructions for accessing the training opportunities. Or contact the NC and SC State Energy Offices (see links below) for more information.
The application deadline for $40 million in competitive grants was January 15, 2025, and these grants have not been awarded yet. Between 10 and 30 competitive awards will be made to states for up to $5 million each.
What is the timeline?
Grant application deadlines have passed. This page will be updated when NC and SC announce their training plans. DOE selection notifications for competitive grants were expected in April 2025, but no updates have been published as of August 17, 2025.
What other incentives could I use to help me accomplish my goals?
- For additional training assistance, the NC Clean Energy Technology Center provides numerous training programs and online/in-person courses related to renewable energy and energy efficiency. Click here for more information.
- Check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) for additional incentives that may be offered by your state, local government, or utility, as well as important federal, state, and local policies. For questions regarding DSIRE, contact Justin Lindemann (NC Clean Energy Technology Center) at jplindem@ncsu.edu.
- Check out our (non-exhaustive) list of non-federal funding from other sources that may fit your energy and cost-saving goals.
Where can I get more information?
- DOE web page on the State-Based Home Energy Efficiency Contractor Training Grants (formula grants; archived page)
- DOE web page on the State-Based Home Energy Efficiency Contractor Training Grants (competitive grants; archived page)
- For more information about the TREC FOA, please view the recording and presentation from the informational webinar that was hosted by DOE on April 4, 2024.
- North Carolina: State Energy Office website (info will be posted as it becomes available)
- South Carolina: State Energy Office website (info will be posted as it becomes available)
- For specific questions on this program or for more assistance, contact Sally Robertson at info@energyfundsforall.org.