The U.S. Department of Energy and Georgetown University announced the Georgetown University Energy Prize, a competition to encourage innovative, replicable, and scalable approaches to reducing energy use in communities across the United States. Aimed at increasing the number of municipalities, utilities, and individuals working to save energy in their homes and communities, the competition supports President Obama's Climate Action Plan of pursuing greater energy efficiency that reduces greenhouse gases and saves consumers money.

Beginning in February 2014, municipalities 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. Participating communities will benefit from access to financial and technical resources and the winning community will receive $5 million provided by private sponsors, which will help to support their continuing community-based energy efficiency efforts. Interested communities are encouraged to submit a non-binding letter of intent as soon as possible.