Houston officials are applying for a grant totaling more than $2 million that would go toward a number of solar and energy projects.

Two-minute impact

Houston City Council at its Oct. 18 meeting approved the application for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program, which is run through the U.S Department of Energy.

If the city were to receive the grant, the goal would be to use it on several items aimed at energy efficiency, according to city documents.

Some examples include:

• Several energy efficiency upgrades at city facilities
• Solar and battery storage at a community-facing facility
• An internal revolving loan fund for future energy projects

The grant will not require the city to match any funds or make an in-kind contribution, according to city documents.

What else?

City Council also approved an agreement between the city and Houston Community College for a solar jobs training program.

The goal is to continue workforce development, particularly in underserved communities, according to city documents. The program is for two years and will cost $459,206.

The program will offer certificate training in electrical technician and solar installer programs, according to city documents.

“It’s very important that we engage in this new technology that is available,” council member Carolyn Evans-Shabazz said at the meeting. “Certainly, it will provide higher wages for people. And I think that makes a tremendous difference in people’s lives.”