WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Georgetown University have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) agreement to collaborate on the Georgetown University Energy Prize, a competition to encourage innovative, replicable, and scalable approaches to reducing energy use in communities across the United States. The initiative aims to increase the number of municipalities, utilities, and individuals working to save energy in their homes and communities.

Beginning in February 2014, U.S. municipalities ranging in population from 5,000-250,000 residents — accounting for more than 65 percent of American communities and 200 million residents — will be eligible to compete for the prize by reducing their energy use. Participating communities must develop a long-term energy efficiency plan and demonstrate initial effectiveness and sustainability during a two-year period. The winning community will receive $5 million provided by private sponsors, which will help to support its continuing community-based energy efficiency efforts. Interested parties are invited to learn more about the Georgetown University Energy Prize, review the competition’s rules and timeline, and register their communities in advance of the formal launch in February.

Although only one community will win the Georgetown University Energy Prize, each participating community will benefit from access to financial and technical resources. Organizers have designed the competition to create pathways toward achieving greater efficiency in homes and municipal buildings across the country.