Notice of Funding Opportunity for Rural Energy for America Technical Assistance Grant Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is currently accepting applications for the Rural Energy for America Technical Assistance Grant Program (REAP TAG), which will award up to $21.25 million in grants to entities that are able to provide technical assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for submitting full applications to the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Grants will prioritize applicants assisting distressed or disadvantaged communities, applicants pursuing projects using underutilized technologies, or applicants seeking grants under $20,000. Eligible applicants include units of State, Tribal, or local government; land-grant colleges, universities, or other higher education institutions; electric cooperatives, investor-owned utilities, and other utility entities; non-profit and for-profit entities; among others. Applications are due on August 15, 2023. Please visit the program website to learn more about the opportunity.
Call for Comments on Proposed Rule to Bolster Solar and Wind Development on Federal Lands
On June 15, 2023, the Bureau of Land Management within the U.S. Department of Interior announced a proposed update of its renewable energy regulations to promote the development of solar and wind energy on public lands. The intent of this proposed rule is to reduce fees for these projects by around 80%, facilitate development in priority areas by streamlining review of applications, and deliver greater certainty for the private sector. Comments on this proposed rule are due by August 15, 2023. Additional details can be found in this announcement.
August 14 Deadline: Notice of Intent for $7 Billion Solar for All Competition in the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
The Solar For All program will provide subsidies and other financial assistance to residential rooftop and residential-serving community solar projects in and benefiting low-income and disadvantaged communities. All applicants must submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) to participate in the competition, due on August 14, 2023 for territories (specifically, The Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands), municipalities, and eligible nonprofit recipients; and August 28, 2023 for Tribal governments and Intertribal Consortia. To view the application materials, visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Solar for All page.
U.S. Department of Education Announces $40 Million Funding Opportunity through the Supporting America’s School Infrastructure Grant Program
The U.S. Department of Education issued a notice announcing funding through the Supporting America’s School Infrastructure Grant Program, which will issue $40 million in grants for fiscal year 2023 to increase the capacity of States to support local educational agencies with infrastructure improvements for healthier and more energy efficient school facilities. The Department of Education will offer two funding tracks, one for State Education Agencies to increase capacity to support high-need local educational agencies, and the second for other state entities, which may include State and Territory Energy Offices, to engage in interagency capacity building with State Education Agencies. Only one application per State or Territory may be submitted under each funding track. The Department of Education anticipates offering 8-13 awards with an average size of $4,000,000. Applications opened on June 5, 2023, and will close on August 7, 2023. Additional program details can be found here.
Technical Assistance for Prospective Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grant Applicants
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) has launched a new technical assistance program to support prospective applicants to the Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grant Program. The competitive technical assistance program will help small- and medium-sized manufacturers understand requirements of the Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grant Program and prepare for future applications. Such applications must propose a project to build, retrofit, or expand facilities in coal communities for producing or recycling goods used to support clean energy supply chains Applications for this competitive technical assistance program are due Friday, May 26, 2023. The technical assistance program is being administered by NREL in partnership with MESC. Learn more about the technical assistance program and Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grant Program.
DOE Announces $54 Million Funding Opportunity to Expand Industrial Assessment Centers (IACs) and Create Building Training and Assessment Centers (BTACs)
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Offices of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) and State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to establish new Industrial Assessment Centers (IACs) at community colleges, trade schools, and union training programs, as well as to create new Building Training and Assessment Centers (BTACs) at institutions of higher education, including Tribal colleges and universities. The new IACs will focus on high-quality skilled trades job pathways in fields such as industrial electrician, energy management, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing, while providing hands-on support to small and medium manufactures. The new BTACs will expand these benefits to commercial and institutional buildings to help lower utility costs and allow companies to reinvest in businesses, employees, and community services. BTACs will train students and workers as engineers, architects, building scientists, building energy permitting and enforcement officials, and building technicians in energy-efficient design and operation. The IAC and BTAC programs will provide services in historically underserved communities and support DOE’s work toward honoring the President’s Justice40 Initiative. Concept papers are required and are due on May 25, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. ET, with full applications due on July 31, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. ET.
DOE Issues Notice of Intent and Request for Information on National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (NIETCs)
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Grid Deployment Office issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) and Request for Information (RFI) to inform the designation of NIETCs. The RFI seeks feedback on final guidelines, procedures, and evaluation criteria for the designation process. Designation of a NIETC provides opportunities for federal investment and public-private partnerships and regulatory and permitting tools that spur investment in transmission in certain geographic areas. Feedback will help DOE more accurately identify areas with the greatest transmission need and the greatest potential for near term deployment. DOE will also consider results from the National Transmission Needs Study when identifying NIETCs. Comments are due 45 days after the RFI is published in the federal register.
Opportunity: Receive No-Cost Solar Energy Assistance Through SolSmart
NASEO invites State Energy Offices to join SolSmart, a national program that helps local governments and regional organizations become solar energy leaders. SolSmart provides no-cost technical assistance to help jurisdictions increase their knowledge, meet community challenges, and achieve solar energy goals. NASEO is a partner of SolSmart, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office. SolSmart encourages local governments to streamline permitting requirements, review planning and zoning rules, track solar energy metrics, and work with community organizations to meet equity goals, among other actions to advance solar energy growth. More information is available on the website here. Please reach out to Kelsey Jones (kjones@naseo.org) with any questions.
USDA Announces Funding Availability for Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting applications for $1 billion in grants to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses invest in renewable energy systems and make energy-efficiency improvements under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) that received additional infusions of funding through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Funding will be awarded through six quarterly application windows with the first application period taking place from April 1, 2023, through June 30, 2023. Additional information on eligible projects and scoring can be found on the USDA website here.
DOE Publishes Building Energy Codes Notice of Intent and Request for Information
On March 31, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a Notice of Intent to release $950 million of funding on a competitive basis for building energy codes and standards over multiple years. In addition, DOE published the Technical Assistance for the Adoption of the Latest and Zero Building Energy Codes or Standards Request for Information (RFI). DOE will host a public information webinar on April 18, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. ET to 3:00 p.m. ET. Responses to the RFI are due to DOE on April 26, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. ET. If you have questions, please contact Ed Carley (ecarley@naseo.org).
DOE Announces $50 million State Manufacturing Leadership Program Funding Opportunity
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC), announced $50 million in funding to States under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)/Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to accelerate use of smart manufacturing technologies. The State Manufacturing Leadership Program supports new or expanded State programs that enable small- and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) to increase their use of smart manufacturing and high-performance computing (HPC) technologies and tools. Smart manufacturing technologies provide real-time data and insight that SMMs can use to reduce costs by optimizing energy management, productivity, and energy efficiency. HPC resources can enable faster and more accurate modeling, simulation, and data analysis to solve technological problems and reduce costly “trial and error” steps during development. The Program will provide up to $2 million to States on a competitive basis over a three-year term and will require at least a 30% cost match. The Funding Opportunity Announcement, FAQ, instructions for joining the Program’s Teaming Partner List, and other information are at the Clean Energy Infrastructure eXCHANGE. (State Energy Offices and other state agencies/instrumentalities are eligible applicants.)
DOE Announces Hydroelectric Incentives Program Funding Opportunity
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Grid Deployment Office issued application guidance and opened solicitations for up to $200 million in funding through the Hydroelectric Production Incentives and Hydroelectric Efficiency Improvement Incentives programs supported by the Infrastructure, Investment, and Jobs Act (IIJA). The first will look at incentivizing qualified hydroelectric facilities for electricity generated and sold in calendar years in 2021 and 2022 (applications are due May 8, 2023), while the second will look at enabling implementation of capital improvements to boost efficiency (applications are due June 20, 2023). An informational webinar will be held on April 5, 2023, and registration is required.
DOE Announces Request for Proposals on Community-Based Residential Decarbonization Demonstration Projects
The US. Department of Energy (DOE), through their Building America Program, has issued a request for proposals from teams of community organizations, research institutions, utility and industry trades, and other topic experts to create research and demonstration projects for decarbonizing the existing U.S. residential housing stock. The projects should include a detailed stakeholder engagement strategy, ensure the equitable distribution of community benefits, address workforce training challenges, and demonstrate scalability. DOE intends on awarding up to eight project grants ranging from $1 million to $4 million. Comprehensive application information and eligibility criteria can be found here.
NARUC Request for Proposals – Support for Distributed Energy Resource Integration & Compensation Initiative
With funding support from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity and Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Office, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners seeks to engage a Consultant to provide states with robust technical assistance and support with distributed energy resource (DER) integration and compensation that enables states to meet their goals for participation of aggregated DERs in the electricity system. Click here fore more information.
DOE Announces $750 Million to Advance Clean Hydrogen Technologies
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) issued a $750 million Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) on behalf of the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office to improve the efficiency, increase the durability, and reduce the cost of producing clean hydrogen with electrolyzers; advance new manufacturing technologies and techniques for clean hydrogen production; and create innovative and practical approaches to increase the reuse and recycling of clean hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. The FOA is broken into two areas of interest (Clean Hydrogen Electrolysis Program and Clean Hydrogen Manufacturing and Recycling) and is made up of six topical areas. State, local, and Tribal governments are eligible applicants. Concept papers are due April 19, 2023 and full applications are due July 19, 2023. For more information access the FOA here.
DOE Announces $6 Billion Funding Opportunity for Industrial Demonstrations
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for approximately $6 billion to accelerate decarbonization projects and enhance American economic competitiveness in energy-intensive industries. The Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED), in collaboration with the Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) and the Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office (IEDO), will provide up to 50% of the cost for first-of-a-kind or early-stage commercial-scale projects from the highest emitting industries involving cross-cutting technologies that have the greatest potential, directly or indirectly, to achieve significant decarbonization domestically and globally. Applicants must include a community benefits plan for engaging communities and labor; investing in America’s workforce; advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility; and implementing the Justice40 Initiative. Concept papers are due by April 21, 2023, and full applications are due by August 4, 2023. Read the full FOA here and learn more about the Industrial Demonstrations Program here.
DOE Announces Funding for Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for $315 million of the expected $1 billion for the Energy improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) program. The ERA seeks to improve energy systems in areas with less than 10,000 people. $300 million is available for projects that increase energy affordability and promote climate resilience and $15 million is available for the Energizing Rural Communities Prize which will help connect communities with government funding and partners to support the implementation of clean energy projects. Concept papers for the ERA are due April 14, 2023 with full applications due June 28, 2023 – state and local governments are eligible. For the prize funding, applications are due May 24, 2023.
DOE Announces Funding for Two Carbon Management Programs
In February 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, in collaboration with the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management and the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) announced $2.5 billion in funding opportunities for two programs: Carbon Capture Large-Scale Pilots (concept papers are due April 5, 2023) and Carbon Capture Demonstration Projects Program (letters of intent were due March 28, 2023). The programs will look at reducing carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation and the industrial sector by demonstrating and deploying carbon management technologies. State and local governments are eligible to apply for both.
DOE Announces $450 million for Clean Energy Demonstration Projects on Current and Former Mine Land
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) has issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to advance clean energy demonstration projects on current and former mine land. Funded with $450 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the Clean Energy Demonstration Program on Current and Former Mine Land (CEML) will support up to five clean energy projects, with awards ranging from $10 million to $150 million. Eligible clean energy technologies for deployment include solar, microgrids, geothermal, direct air capture, solar storage, advanced nuclear technologies, and electricity generation with carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration. State and local government entities are eligible to apply. Applicants will be required to submit a Community Benefits Plan to detail how the projects will support community and workforce development and deliver benefits to disadvantaged communities as part of the Justice40 Initiative. Concept papers are due May 11, 2023, and full applications are due August 31, 2023. The FOA can be found here. Interested applicants can register here for an informational webinar on April 19, 2023 at 2:00 PM ET.
DOE Announces $750 Million to Advance Clean Hydrogen Technologies
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) issued a $750 million Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) on behalf of the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office to improve the efficiency, increase the durability, and reduce the cost of producing clean hydrogen with electrolyzers; advance new manufacturing technologies and techniques for clean hydrogen production; and create innovative and practical approaches to increase the reuse and recycling of clean hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. The FOA is broken into two areas of interest (Clean Hydrogen Electrolysis Program and Clean Hydrogen Manufacturing and Recycling) and is made up of six topical areas. State, local, and Tribal governments are eligible applicants. Concept papers are due April 19, 2023 and full applications are due July 19, 2023. For more information access the FOA here.
DOE Notice of Intent: Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grant Program
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC), intends to issue a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) entitled “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grant Program (Section 40209).” DOE anticipates that the FOA will award financial assistance in the form of cooperative agreements or grants to small- and medium-sized manufacturing firms to establish new facilities or to re-equip or expand existing facilities to manufacture or recycle advanced energy property in energy communities (map). The anticipated FOA will provide approximately $350 million in awards with a focus on projects with high supply chain impacts and strong community benefits plans. Please click here for more information including a link to the full NOI document.
DOE Releases National Transmission Needs Study for Public Comment and Feedback
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Grid Deployment Office (GDO) released a draft of the National Transmission Needs Study for public comment and feedback. The Needs Study provides information about present and anticipated future capacity constraints and congestion on the nation’s electric transmission grid and serves as DOE’s triennial state of the grid report. Findings of the Needs Study will provide public insight into areas of the power grid that would benefit from increased transmission capacity. In October 2022, an initial draft of the Needs Study was released to States, Tribes, and regional grid entities to ensure regional, interregional, and national perspectives are taken into consideration. DOE received nearly 180 comments from 20 different entities and that feedback has been incorporated into this second draft. DOE is requesting feedback on the second Draft National Transmission Needs Study, specifically on the analysis used, conclusions, or any other comments or suggestions for improving the study. Public comments and questions about the draft Needs Study are due 45 days from publication of the Needs Study notification in the Federal Register. GDO anticipates releasing the final Needs Study in Summer 2023.
EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG)
This EPA program, provided under the Inflation Reduction Act, will offer grants to states, territories, tribes, air pollution control agencies, and local governments to develop and implement plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution. Phase 1 of the program will provide $250 million for noncompetitive planning grants and Phase 2 will grant $4.6 billion competitively for implementation. The program will be designed to provide flexible support to states, tribes and local governments regardless of where they are in their climate planning and implementation process. Find more info on the program, to access February 15 introductory webinar materials and sign up for the CPRG newsletter, visit here.
Invitation to Complete the 2023 U.S. Energy and Employment Report Survey
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), in partnership with BW Research Partnership, has launched a data collection effort for the 2023 U.S. Energy and Employment Report (USEER), a workforce survey of the energy and motor vehicle business community. NASEO Affiliate members and other energy sector partners of the State and Territory Energy Offices are invited to take their confidential, voluntary survey, which will take between 15-25 minutes to complete. Responses will provide the crucial feedback DOE and its partners need to ensure the contributions of energy companies to the U.S. economy are well understood by policymakers. To be included, complete the survey by March 13, 2023.
EPA Announces Grants for States to Support Class VI Well Programs for CO2 Sequestration
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it will make $50 million available to help states, Tribes, and territories develop Underground Injection Control (UIC) Class VI programs that establish regulatory “primacy” for the geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide. Interested states, Tribes, and territories must first submit a letter of intent (LOI) to indicate their interest in the grant program by March 20, 2023, identifying which state agency will administer the program. Additional information on the grant opportunity can be found here and a template for the LOI here.
DOE Announces Availability of Technical Assistance to Improve Interconnection Processes
The Interconnection Innovation e-Xchange (i2X) is a program led by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Wind Energy Technology and Solar Energy Technologies Office and is funded through the Infrastructure, Investment, and Jobs Act (IIJA). i2X works to streamline the interconnection process for clean energy resources. The recently announced technical assistance opportunity will be provided by three national labs and will support up to 12 projects leading to grid modeling, development of case studies, technical road mapping, and more. State, territorial, local, and Tribal governments are eligible to apply by 4:00 pm ET p.m. March 21, 2023.
DOE Announces $6 Billion Funding Opportunity for Industrial Demonstrations
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for approximately $6 billion to accelerate decarbonization projects and enhance American economic competitiveness in energy-intensive industries. The Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED), in collaboration with the Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) and the Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office (IEDO), will provide up to 50% of the cost for first-of-a-kind or early-stage commercial-scale projects from the highest emitting industries involving cross-cutting technologies that have the greatest potential, directly or indirectly, to achieve significant decarbonization domestically and globally. Applicants must include a community benefits plan for engaging communities and labor; investing in America’s workforce; advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility; and implementing the Justice40 Initiative. Concept papers are due by April 21, 2023, and full applications are due by August 4, 2023. Read the full FOA here and learn more about the Industrial Demonstrations Program here.
DOE Announces Funding for Two Carbon Management Programs
In February 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, in collaboration with the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management and the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) announced $2.5 billion in funding opportunities for two programs: Carbon Capture Large-Scale Pilots (concept papers are due April 5, 2023) and Carbon Capture Demonstration Projects Program (letters of intent are due March 28, 2023). The programs will look at reducing carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation and the industrial sector by demonstrating and deploying carbon management technologies. State and local governments are eligible to apply for both.
DOE Opens Third Round of Applications for Technical Assistance to Support Energy Resilience for Remote and Island Communities
On February 21, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy announced that the third round of applications are open for the Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP). The program, which is a part of the Energy Transitions Initiative (ETI), will provide technical assistance for remote and island communities to strengthen their energy systems and address unique energy resilience challenges. Remote and island communities will have the opportunity to collaborate with a network of partners including DOE, national laboratories, regional partner organizations, and local stakeholders to purse clean and efficient solutions for a community-driven energy transition through strategic resilience planning. Up to two communities will be chosen for the program and this round of ETIPP has expanded the scope to communities in the Gulf of Mexico (Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas). Applications for ETIPP will remain open through May 19, 2023 and more information about program can be found here. An ETIPP informational webinar will take place on April 11, 2023, registration is open here.
DOE Announces Funding for Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for $315 million of the expected $1 billion for the Energy improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) program. The ERA seeks to improve energy systems in areas with less than 10,000 people. $300 million is available for projects that increase energy affordability and promote climate resilience and $15 million is available for the Energizing Rural Communities Prize which will help connect communities with government funding and partners to support the implementation of clean energy projects. Concept papers for the ERA are due April 14, 2023 with full applications due June 28, 2023 – state and local governments are eligible. For the prize funding, applications are due May 24, 2023.
DOE Releases Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Revolving Loan Fund Program Guidance
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released guidance documents for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s Revolving Loan Fund Program (RLF Program). The RLF Program allocates $250 million to State and Territorial Energy Offices to capitalize revolving loan funds to conduct audits and finance energy efficiency improvements in the residential and commercial building sectors. The guidance documents include application instructions for the capital available under the program, the capital allocations for the program (including priority state allocations), an application checklist, the reporting template, a template for declining funds for the program, and the Administrative and Legal Requirements Document for the states. Applications are due no later than April 21, 2023. For more information, or if you have any questions, please contact Sam Cramer, Senior Program Director, at scramer@naseo.org.
DOE Releases Application Materials for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program
The U.S. Department of Energy Office of State and Community Programs has launched the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program Formula Application Hub as a one-stop-shop for information for State Energy Offices and units of local government eligible to receive EECBG formula funds. Pre-award information sheets are due by April 28, 2023, and DOE will review and approve applications for grants and vouchers on a rolling basis through January 31, 2024. Please contact Sandy Fazeli (sfazeli@naseo.org) with questions.
Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project Community Technical Assistance
ETIPP provides technical assistance to remote and island communities to identify and plan locally-relevant clean energy and resiliency solutions. To learn more about applying for technical assistance, click here. Applications will close on May 19, 2023.
U.S. Treasury Issues Guidance on Two IRA Tax Credit Provisions
The U.S. Treasury Department issued initial guidance (news release) for two Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) tax credit programs. The 45C Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Credit program (guidance) will provide $10 billion in investment tax credits for industrial projects that make, process, or recycle qualifying clean energy products and materials, such as for renewables, industrial decarbonization, electric vehicles, carbon management, and critical minerals. Forty percent of credits are reserved for projects in communities with closed coal mines or retired coal-fired power plants. The application process for the first tranche begins May 31, 2023. The 48(e) Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program (guidance) offers a boost of up to 20 percentage points to the investment tax credit for solar and wind energy projects in low-income communities. A two-phase application process for this program will open in 2023.
DOE’s Loan Programs Office Enables New Financing Opportunities for State-Financed Energy Projects
U.S. DOE’s Loan Programs Office (LPO), which has provided loans to companies that have successfully launched new energy technologies, can now provide financing for projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, even if they do not rely upon technology that is untested in the marketplace. An adjustment in the recently-passed Inflation Reduction Act enabled LPO to make loans under its Title 17 program as long as those projects receive funding from a qualifying state financing entity. Therefore, LPO can now provide loan guarantees and project financing to a wide range of potential customers, including rural and underserved communities. Generally, the threshold to request LPO loans is a minimum $100 million project. LPO is ready to provide support at the conceptual level or assist with technical details on the financing parameters. More information about the program and how to contact LPO is available here.
DOE Seeks Reviewers for Energy Storage RD&D Program Applications
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is seeking reviewers, including State Energy Officials, for two recently released Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA). The first, Innovations to Accelerate Energy Storage Deployment (C56-09 Small Business Program), is looking to fund projects that enhance energy storage’s ability to provide benefits and reduce current barriers that prevent or delay energy storage from being deployed. The second, Long Duration Energy Storage Demonstrations FOA, will support projects capable of delivering electricity for 10-24 hours or longer. Please reach out to Vinod Siberry (vinod.siberry@hq.doe.gov) if you are interested in serving as a reviewer for either program.
Initial Program Design Announced for the EPA Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF)
EPA has released program design details on the GGRF program, created under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The program will offer $7 billion in Zero-Emissions Technology Fund competitive grants to states, tribes, municipalities, and eligible nonprofit entities to deploy residential rooftop solar, battery storage, and community solar in low-income and disadvantaged communities, as well as $20 billion in General and Low-Income Assistance competitive grants to eligible nonprofit entities to collaborate with community financial institutions to provide financial and technical assistance for projects that reduce or avoid greenhouse gas emissions and other forms of air pollution, particularly in low-income and disadvantaged communities. EPA anticipates releasing a Notice of Funding Opportunities in early Summer 2023. To read the press release, click here. For program resources and updates, please visit this website.
U.S. Department of Energy Notice of Intent: State Manufacturing Leadership Program
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a Notice of Intent to invest up to $50 million to work with States to accelerate use of smart manufacturing technologies and practices and provide access to tools and assistance. The State Manufacturing Leadership Program supports new or expanded State programs that exhibit leadership in accelerating the deployment and use of smart manufacturing and high performance computing technologies by small- and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs).
Applications Open for EPA 2023 Environmental Government-to-Government Program
EPA is accepting applications for projects that address environmental and public health challenges in overburdened and underserved communities. States partnering with community-based organizations are eligible to apply. More information is available on the EPA website.
U.S. Department of Energy Opens Applications for Grants to Support Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Improvements at Public School Facilities
The U.S. Department of Energy has launched two new funding opportunities to support energy upgrades in America’s highest-need K-12 school facilities, the Renew America’s Schools grant ($80 million) and the Energy CLASS Prize ($4.5 million). Eligible primary applicants are local education agencies, but governmental entities such as state and local agencies may join applications as project partners. To view the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for Renew America’s Schools, visit DOE EERE Exchange. To view program guidelines and official rules for the Energy CLASS Prize, please visit this website. For the latest announcements and resources, including recordings of webinars held on the two new programs on December 6th and December 7th, please visit DOE’s website.
U.S. Department of Energy Workforce Development ORISE Fellow
The U.S. Department of Energy is seeking to hire federal employees who will help manage and supervise a new workforce development program created through the Inflation Reduction Act, including the “State-Based Home Energy Efficiency Contractor Training Grants” program which includes $200 million in funds for states to support residential energy efficiency and electrification workforce. DOE does not yet have position descriptions for these roles yet, so reach out to Mary MacPherson (mary.macpherson@hq.doe.gov) to learn more about them.
U.S. Department of Energy Announces $23M to Fund Onsite Energy Technical Assistance Partnerships
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office (IEDO) announced a $23 million funding opportunity to establish a regional network of Onsite Energy Technical Assistance Partnerships (TAPs) to help industrial facilities and other large energy users increase the adoption of onsite energy technologies. Such technologies include battery storage, combined heat and power (CHP), district energy, geothermal, industrial heat pumps, renewable fuels, solar photovoltaics, solar thermal, thermal storage, and wind power. The FOA is expected to include about $23 million in federal funding through cooperative agreements for the following:
- Topic 1 - Regional Onsite TAPs: Funding up to 10 entities to serve as regional Onsite Energy TAPs, each serving a multi-state region.
- Topic 2 - Onsite Energy Technical Analysis and Support Center: Funding one national entity to serve as the Onsite Energy Technical Analysis and Support Center.
Subject to the availability of funds, the awards will be issued as cooperative agreements with an estimated period of performance of three years for Topic 1 and four years for Topic 2. Full applications are due April 21, 2023. View the full funding opportunity for more information.
To encourage the formation of a diverse range of project teams, a Teaming Partner List is offered where interested parties can provide contact information and indicate areas of expertise and interest. Updates to the Teaming Partner List are available on the EERE Exchange website.
U.S. Department of Energy Releases Updated Notice of Intent to Fund Carbon Conversion Program
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) released an updated Notice of Intent (NOI) on the $100 million Carbon Conversion Program under IIJA Section 40302 to provide grants for the procurement and use of commercial and industrial products that are derived from anthropogenic carbon oxides. The grants will demonstrate the role carbon conversion/utilization products can play in replacing incumbent products and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. States, local governments, and public utilities or agencies are considered eligible entities and a 50% non-federal cost share will be required. DOE anticipates the FOA being issued in the first quarter of this year. Click here for more information and to access the NOI.