(a) In general Of the total amount made available for each fiscal year to carry out this part, the Secretary shall use not less than 2 percent to provide grants under this section, on a competitive basis, to— (1) units of local government (including Indian tribes ) that are not eligible entities; and (2) consortia of units of local government described in paragraph (1). (b) Applications To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a unit of local government or consortia shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including a plan of the unit of local government to carry out an activity described in section 17154 of this title . (c) Priority In providing grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to units of local government— (1) located in States with populations of less than 2,000,000; or (2) that plan to carry out projects that would result in significant energy efficiency improvements or reductions in fossil fuel use. ( Pub. L. 110–140, title V, § 546 , Dec. 19, 2007 , 121 Stat. 1673 .) Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries Effective Date Section effective on the date that is 1 day after Dec. 19, 2007 , see section 1601 of Pub. L. 110–140 , set out as a note under section 1824 of Title 2 , The Congress .