Infrastructure Act Resource Hub

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act 

NASEO Summary of Relevant Sections: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

Slide Deck with Matrix of Relevant Sections

U.S. Department of Energy's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Website

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: Formula and Competitive Funding by Agency – Summary by the Office of Senator Jeanne Shaheen, prepared by the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee 

Whitehouse Guidebook 

State Funding Summaries – NASEO has developed two-page summaries of the estimated funding each state will receive via formula under the IIJA, and has provided these summaries to each State Energy Office Director. 

Staff Contacts: Cassie Powers (cpowers@naseo.org) and Sandy Fazeli (sfazeli@naseo.org)

U.S. DOE Announces Community Microgrid Assistance Partnership

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Electricity opened applications to the Community Microgrid Assistance Partnership (C-MAP). Participants will receive technical support and/or funding from DOE to design or deploy a microgrid that aligns with community-defined priorities to improve or to optimize existing microgrid technology. State and local governments are eligible to apply. Applications are due December 20, 2024. Find more information here. 

Code Change Proposal Submission Period Open for 2027 International Energy Conservation Code

State Energy Offices and other interested parties may submit code change proposals to the 2027 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). Code change proposals may be submitted to the International Code Council (ICC) through energy.cdpaccess.com between October 7, 2024 through December 9, 2024 at 11:59 PM Pacific. Proposed changes to the IECC will be considered by the 2027 IECC Residential Committee and IECC Commercial Committee, as appropriate. More information can be found on the ICC website.

U.S. DOE Releases Carbon Management Strategy for Public Comment

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the release of a Carbon Management Strategy for public comment. The Strategy provides a comprehensive roadmap for the remainder of the decade that outlines the diverse tools and approaches DOE will use to develop and deploy carbon management solutions. Click here to download the draft Carbon Management Strategy. Comments on the report must be submitted electronically to carbonmanagementstrategy@hq.doe.gov by December 10, 2024.

Public Comment Period Open for Proposed ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction Program Requirements

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing new national versions of the ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction Program Requirements: Single-Family New Homes National Version 3.3 and Multifamily New Construction National Version 1.3. Public comments will be accepted until November 21, 2024 via the Stakeholder Comment Form. The final requirements will apply to all homes pursuing the Section 45L tax credit. Contact lbraciulyte@naseo.org with any questions. 

Clean Energy to Communities (C2C) Peer-Learning Cohort on Distributed Wind in Rural and Agricultural Communities

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), with support from US DOE and the World Resources Institute, is taking applications for the C2C "Expanding Capacity for Distributed Wind in Rural and Agricultural Communities" peer-learning cohort. Distributed wind describes wind turbine installations that allow individuals, communities, and businesses to reduce electricity costs and enhance revenue through local carbon-free energy generation. If you are interested in learning more about how to plan for and develop small scale wind turbines in a rural or agricultural community, including permitting, zoning, financing, and ownership models, this cohort is right for you. Each C2C peer-learning cohort is free to join, lasts approximately six months, and provides participants with technical assistance, access to tools and best practices, and the opportunity to collaborate with peers across the country. Learn more and apply by Tuesday, Nov 12, 2024, at www.nrel.gov/c2c/cohorts.

U.S. DOE Announces Funding for Reducing Methane Emissions  

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) announced up to $15 million in federal funding to support research and development projects that help reduce methane emissions and other harmful environmental impacts from undocumented orphaned oil and natural gas wells. State and local governments are eligible to apply. Applications are due November 13, 2024. More information can be found here. 

U.S. DOE Announces $3 Million to Support Industrial Decarbonization Workforce

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office (IEDO), in collaboration with the Office of Technology Transitions (OTT), announced $3 million for a new Industrial Sustainability, Energy Efficiency, and Decarbonization (ISEED) Collaborative that will assist partners across the manufacturing sector to develop and disseminate instructional curricula and training programs focused on industrial sustainability, energy efficiency, and decarbonization. The resources will be available for workers at any level of training and education to help them build their skills and knowledge. IEDO solicits proposals from organizations with experience and networks in industrial energy efficiency and decarbonization; industrial heat electrification and hydrogen production; and low-carbon fuels, feedstocks, and energy sources. Applications are due on November 1, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. ET. Please visit the CONNECTWERX website to register to learn more about how to submit a proposal.  

IRA Codes Funding Application Updates

The U.S. Department of Energy Office of State and Community Energy Programs (DOE SCEP) has moved up the deadline for full applications for the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Codes Program funding to October 31, 2024. SCEP has also extended the deadline to receive the full adoption bonus for adopting the 2021 IECC until 2025, and extended the applicability of the adoption bonus to include states that already have adopted 2021 IECC and plan to adopt the 2024 IECC by November 2027. Additional detail on the changes in formula modifications can be found in the Administrative and Legal Requirements Document (ALRD).

U.S. DOE Announces Funding Available for Long Duration Energy Storage Pilot Projects

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) announced $100 million in funding for non-lithium long-duration energy storage (LDES) pilot projects. The funding will focus on moving electrochemical, thermal, and mechanical LDES technologies closer to commercial viability and utility-scale deployment. State and Territory Energy Offices are eligible to apply. Concept papers are due by October 16, 2024, and full applications are due by February 13, 2025. Find more information here. 

U.S. DOE Announces Funding for Advancing Carbon Management

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) announced the availability of $54.4 million in funding to support the development of technologies that capture CO2 from industrial and power generation sources or directly from the atmosphere and transport it for either permanent geologic storage or conversion into products. Eligible applicants include state and local governments. Applications are due October 14, 2024. Find more information here. 

U.S. DOE Announces $15M in Funding for Critical Facility Energy Resilience

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Electricity issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to advance innovative energy storage technologies from early-state R&D to widespread commercialization and demonstrate the capabilities of these technologies to support critical infrastructure or facilities with resiliency needs. State and local governments are eligible to apply. Applications are due October 4, 2024, by 5:00 p.m. ET. 

U.S. Department of Commerce Announces New Notice of Funding Opportunity: $25 Million for Workforce Development in Advanced Industries, Including Energy

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for $25 million associated with the Good Jobs Challenge. The Good Jobs Challenge NOFO aims to support high-quality, locally led workforce training programs that lead to jobs set to advance technology-based industries critical to U.S. economic competitiveness and the competitiveness of the applicant’s region. Applicants must implement training for jobs that advance key technology focus areas as established by the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, which includes advanced energy and industrial efficiency technologies, such as batteries and advanced nuclear technologies, including but not limited to for the purposes of electric generation. The deadline to apply is September 27, 2024, and states are eligible to apply. Please click here for more information.

U.S. DOE Opens Smart Manufacturing and Recycling Tactics for States (SMART) Grant Program

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) has issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for up to $63 million in grants to states and local governments to (1) create or expand battery collection, recycling, and reprocessing programs ($41 million) and (2) establish or expand programs to assist small- and medium-sized manufacturers to access smart manufacturing technologies and practices. More information can be found in the news release. The full FOA and related information can be found here. Concept papers are not required; full applications are due September 16, 2024, 5:00 p.m. ET.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Announces Technical Assistance Program on Inclusive Transmission Planning

The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory launched the Technical Assistance Program on Inclusive Transmission Planning for Transmission Planners. The goal of the Inclusive Transmission Planning (ITP) Technical Assistance (TA) program is to assist transmission planners in incorporating energy equity as an objective in their planning. The TA will be targeted to planners including Regional Transmission Operators (RTOs), Independent System Operators (ISOs), Power Market Administrators (PMAs), and utilities. State and Territory Energy Offices are free to share this announcement with transmission planners in their state. The ITP TA will be delivered through a two-tiered approach—Tier I: Capacity Building and Tier II: Advanced Capacity Building. In Tier I, participants will learn how to better integrate energy equity in transmission planning through consultation, presentations, workshops and webinars, and other relevant resources. Tier II is designed to offer an advanced technical assistance program on energy equity in transmission planning through deep-dive analysis, modeling, and analytical support (e.g., framework development, proof of concept, etc.). To register for an informational webinar on September 17, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. ET, click here. To access the application, click here.

U.S. General Services Administration Seeks Innovate Clean Energy and Decarbonization Technologies to Test in Commercial Buildings

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), announced a Request For Information (RFI) focused on enabling energy efficiency and decarbonization in commercial buildings. GSA will invest $30 million to facilitate testing of innovative technologies in federal buildings through its Center for Emerging Building Technologies while DOE’s Demonstrating Efficient Solutions in Buildings program will pilot technologies in non-federal buildings. RFI areas of interest include: (1) Deep Energy Retrofits, (2) All-Electric Buildings and All-Electric Vehicle Fleets, (3) Healthy and Resilient Buildings, (4) Low-Embodied Carbon Building Materials, (5) Net-Zero Operations, and (6) Packages of Emerging and Sustainable Technology Solutions. Submitted technologies should be technically and commercially ready for evaluation in occupied, operational buildings. The RFI is open until September 13, 2024. Parties interested in submitting an application can review the request on sam.gov at Solicitation #FY25RFI080124. Please direct inquiries regarding the RFI to gpg@gsa.gov. 

U.S. DOE Announces Funding to Advance Technologies that Transform Carbon Emissions into Products

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) announced up to $16 million in federal funding for large-scale conversion of carbon dioxide emissions into environmentally responsible and economically valuable products. With funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the projects will develop the sustainable feedstocks and conversion technologies necessary to produce crucial fuels, materials, and other carbon-based products. Applications are due August 27, 2024. Read more details here. 

U.S. DOE Releases Nuclear Safety Training and Workforce Development Program RFI / NOI

On Friday, July 26, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a Request for Information (RFI) / Notice of Intent (NOI) to solicit input on the development and structure of a new funding opportunity announcement (FOA), the Nuclear Safety Training and Workforce Development Program. Through this RFI/NOI, DOE hopes to hear from states, nuclear industry, academia, and other interested groups on topics such as: 

• Existing gaps in nuclear workforce training and development 
• Attributes or examples of successful workforce training programs 
• Resources needed to establish and maintain new workforce training and development programs 

Specific questions and instructions for responding can be found here. The FOA will support the development of nuclear safety curriculum training through university-led partnerships with industry, national laboratories, and/or technical colleges, community colleges, or universities near nuclear power plants. It is anticipated that $100 million of funding will be made available through this FOA. Please submit responses to the RFI via email to NSTP@id.doe.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. ET on August 26, 2024. 

U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA Announce Funding to Reduce Methane Pollution

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $850 million in funding for projects that will help monitor, measure, quantify, and reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas sectors. This funding, through the Inflation Reduction Act, is open to state governments. The deadline to apply is August 26, 2024. Please click here for more information. 

2027 IECC Residential and Commercial Consensus Committee Application Open, 2027 IECC Scope & Intent Open for Comment

The International Code Council (ICC) is now accepting applications for the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) Residential and Commercial Consensus Committees for the 2027 code development cycle. The application can be accessed here and applications will be accepted until Monday, August 19, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. Applications for subcommittee voting members will be open in the coming months. In addition, the ICC Board of Directors has developed a draft scope and intent for the 2027 IECC, which can be found here. This draft will be open for public comment until Monday, August 19, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. Public comment will be accepted through this form. Following review and consideration of the public comments, the Board of Directors will then set the final scope and intent statements for the 2027 IECC. If you have questions about the development process and committees or Scope and Intent document, please contact Ed Carley (ecarley@naseo.org) and Liepa Braciulyte (lbraciulyte@naseo.org).

U.S. DOE $65 Million Funding Opportunity for Connected Communities and Smart Charge Management

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a Connected Communities 2.0 funding opportunity announcement (FOA) for up to $65 million to validate grid-edge technology innovations in real-world situations and provide new tools for utilities, grid planners and operators, automakers and smart charge management service providers, and the communities they serve. The FOA features two major topics: (1) Connected Communities, focused on grid edge technical measures in buildings, industry, and transportation to prepare the electric grid for these new loads, and improve the customer benefits and grid resilience; and (2) Smart Charge Management, focused on various unique urban, suburban, and rural use cases to build confidence in it as an effective approach for electric vehicles to provide flexibility and value to the electric grid. Required concept papers are due Aug. 20, 2024, and full applications are due Oct. 10, 2024. Register here for an informational webinar on July 29.

U.S. Energy and Employment Report

The U.S. Department of Energy is seeking comments for revisions to the annual U.S. Energy and Employment Report (USEER). Please see the federal register notice with instructions on how to submit requests for future changes that could include occupational data, wage data, or other metrics that could be useful to your work. Comments are due July 29, 2024. If you would like to discuss the USEER with NASEO staff, please contact sfazeli@naseo.org. 

U.S. DOE Releases Fusion Energy Strategy and RFI

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released an agency-wide DOE Fusion Energy Strategy for 2024 and a Request for Information (RFI) on a proposed Fusion Energy Public-Private Consortium Framework (PPCF). The PPCF aims to catalyze and bring together state/local government, private, philanthropic funding, as well as new partnerships, to accelerate fusion commercialization. A webinar will be held July 11, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. ET and comments on the RFI are due July 22, 2024. NASEO will be commenting on the RFI, please reach out to Kelsey Jones (kjones@naseo.org) with any comments or questions. 

U.S. DOE Announces Funding for Geothermal Grid Modeling Studies

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Geothermal Technologies Office announced a $7 million funding opportunity to develop regional grid models to assess how geothermal power can support and stabilize the grid as it incorporates more renewable energy resources. State and local governments are eligible to apply. Letters of intent are due July 24, 2024, and applications are due September 8, 2024. 

Community Workforce Readiness Accelerator for Major Projects (RAMP)

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Jobs is seeking host organizations for the Community Workforce Readiness Accelerator for Major Projects (RAMP) Initiative. RAMP aims to foster community and labor capacity building to strengthen workforce partnerships in communities hosting major clean energy projects that are funded in whole or in part by IIJA, IRA, or CHIPS. State and Territory Energy Offices are eligible to serve as host organizations; to be considered, please review the Request for Information and submit “Attachment A: Certification of Respondent Claiming Host Organization Eligibility” by July 19, 2024. To learn more, visit here.

U.S. DOE Issues Notice of Intent: $100 Million for Grid-Connected Buildings and Vehicles Validation

The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) released a Notice of Intent to issue over $100 million for field demonstrations and other research to enhance grid planning and operation and help optimize systems with grid-connected buildings and vehicles powered by clean, distributed energy generation and show these advanced technologies to be reliable, secure, and ready to support a clean energy economy. EERE intends to issue these funds through three separate, competitively awarded funding opportunity announcements (FOAs):

• Connected Communities 2.0 (DE-FOA-0003136)
• Solar Technologies’ Rapid Integration and Validation for Energy Systems (DE-FOA-0003331)
• SuperTruck Charge (DE-FOA-0003344)

U.S. DOE Announces Funding for CO2 Transport Networks

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management announced $24 million in funding to support the transport of carbon dioxide (CO2) to locations for permanent geologic storage or conversion to useful products. State and local governments are eligible to apply. The application deadline is July 9, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. ET. 

U.S. DOE Announces Funding to Develop Critical Minerals Regional Partnerships

On April 24, 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management announced up to $60M in funding to create regional teams to support the development of critical mineral and materials supply chains and products from unconventional feedstocks. Projects will continue the work of the DOE Carbon Ore, Rare Earth and Critical Minerals (CORE-CM) Initiative but will expand the focus to a larger region. State and local governments are eligible to apply. For more information on the funding and geographic areas of interest, view the FOA here. Applications are due June 24, 2024.

U.S. Department of Treasury Applications Open for 2024 Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program  

The U.S. Department of Treasury is now accepting applications for the Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program, which provides a 10 or 20 percentage point increase to the investment tax credit for qualified solar or wind energy facilities. Over 2.1 GW of capacity has been allocated for the 2024 program year. All applications submitted within the first 30 days (through 11:59 pm ET on June 27, 2024) will be evaluated as if they were submitted at the same time, and applications submitted after the 30-day window will be reviewed on a rolling basis.  

U.S. DOE Adoption of the Latest and Zero Building Energy Codes FOA: Deadline Extended and 2024 IECC, ASHRAE 90.1-2022 Now Eligible

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has extended the deadline for two-page Concept Papers for Round 2 of the Inflation Reduction Act's Assistance for the Adoption of the Latest and Zero Building Energy Codes Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to Friday, June 28, 2024 by 5:00 p.m. ET. DOE also made a modification to allow 2024 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2022 to be eligible codes for localities under this FOA. The changes have been incorporated into the Administrative and Legal Requirements Document (ALRD). Additional information on the FOA is available on Infrastructure Exchange under FOA number DE-RD2-0003056.

U.S. Army Announces Nuclear Microreactor Solicitation

The U.S. Army seeks to prototype on-site microreactor nuclear power plants to address its energy resilience needs through the Advanced Nuclear Power for Installations (ANPI) program to provide electricity generation and distribution. Solution briefs for proposed projects are due June 21, 2024. 

U.S. DOE Request for Information on Decarbonizing American Industry

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office (IEDO) announced a request for information (RFI) to gain strategic and technical feedback on decarbonizing America’s industrial sector. The RFI will inform a new DOE vision study, Pathways for U.S. Industrial Transformations: Unlocking American Innovation, which will identify cost-effective and industry-specific strategic pathways to achieve a thriving U.S. industrial sector with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This effort will build on the 2022 Industrial Decarbonization Roadmap and Pathway to Commercial Liftoff: Industrial Decarbonization Report. It will consider associated technical, financial, social, environmental, and health challenges and opportunities. IEDO welcome feedback from a wide range of stakeholders and interested parties, with comments due by 5:00 p.m. ET on June 10, 2024. A link to the full RFI can be found here.

Applications Open for the 2024 Renew America’s Schools Prize

Funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the $500 million Renew America’s Schools Program promotes the implementation of clean energy improvements at K-12 public schools across the country. The 2024 prize announcement is offering $180 million through a prize-to-cooperative-agreement funding model, where teams of at least ten K-12 public schools that demonstrate the need for energy investments are selected to receive cash prizes of $300,000 for capacity building in Phase 1. Teams are then eligible to enter into cooperative agreements of up to $14 million with DOE in subsequent phases to develop strategic plans, conduct energy audits, and implement energy solutions. Eligible applicants include consortiums between a local educational agency and schools, non-profit or for-profit organizations, and/or community partners, including state, local, and tribal governmental entities. Applications to this opportunity will be due on June 13, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. ET. For more information, please visit this page.

U.S. DOE Extends Deadline for Application to the Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants Program

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued an amendment to the Administrative and Legal Requirements Document (ALRD) for the Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants Program, extending the deadline for States, Indian Tribes, and Territories to apply for grants and request allocations to Monday, June 17, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET. The deadline extension reflects stakeholder feedback and provides additional time for States, Indian Tribes, and Territories to prepare applications. Applicants should submit their applications as soon as they are ready. Applications will be processed on a rolling basis as they are received, and grants may be awarded prior to the June 17, 2024, deadline. Mail-in applications must be post-marked by the deadline. For more information, please visit DOE’s Grid Resilience Office’s Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants Program webpage.

HUD Announces $225 Million in Competitive Funding to Preserve and Revitalize Manufactured Housing

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the Preservation and Reinvestment Initiative for Community Enhancement (PRICE), which provides $225 million in competitive grant funding to support critical investments such as repairs, infrastructure improvements, upgrades to increase resilience, and other services for low- and moderate-income residents of manufactured housing units and manufactured housing communities. State governments, local governments, tribes, community development financing institutions, non-profits, cooperatives, resident-owned manufactured housing communities, and others are welcome to apply. Applications must be submitted on June 5, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Interested applicants can click here to register for a series of webinars by HUD that will review the Notice of Funding Opportunity and application requirements.

U.S. DOE Announces Funding for Storage Vouchers

The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Electricity announced a new $1M storage technical assistance voucher program on April 25, 2024. The program is intended to spur innovations in Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) technologies and increase LDES project deployments. The first voucher opportunity will provide $50-150K in services to technology innovators, including vendors and manufacturers, and the second will provide $50-$150K of in-kind support to a variety of entities including state or local governments to provide technical assistance on siting/permitting, storage project roadmapping, regional modeling, technical feasibility studies, community engagement and more. Applications to serve as technical assistance providers are due June 6, 2024. More information can be found here. 

U.S. DOE Announces Deadline for Home Energy Rebates Early Administrative Funding

The U.S. Department Of Energy Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) announced that State and Territory Energy Offices have until May 31, 2024, to apply for home energy rebates early administrative funding. Offices that do not apply for early administrative funding will receive it as part of the award for full program funding. State Energy Offices interested in this funding opportunity can reference Home Energy Rebates Programs Early Administrative Funds Administrative and Legal Requirements Document for more information. Additional information about the deadline is available on the SCEP website. Please reach out to Maddie Koewler at mkoewler@naseo.org with any questions. 

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Announces New Federal Permitting Rule

U.S. On April 25, 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced its issuance of a final rule to establish the Coordinated Interagency Transmission Authorizations and Permits (CITAP) Program, which aims to significantly improve Federal environmental reviews and permitting processes for qualifying transmission projects. Under the CITAP Program, DOE will coordinate a Federal integrated interagency process to consolidate Federal environmental reviews and authorizations within a standard two-year schedule while ensuring meaningful engagement with Tribes, local communities, and other stakeholders. The Grid Deployment Office will be hosting a public webinar on May 15, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. ET, to share more about the DOE’s Coordinated Interagency Transmission Authorization and Permits Program and final rule. Registration is required.  

U.S. EPA Updates ENERGY STAR Residential Furnace Efficiency Certification

On April 16, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposed plan to increase the efficiency level of the ENERGY STAR certification for residential furnaces. In 2023, EPA proposed sunsetting the specification which would have removed the ENERGY STAR label for fossil fueled furnace. The new proposal would instead increase efficiency levels in order for a furnace to be labeled ENERGY STAR under the voluntary program. The proposed efficiency levels to receive an ENERGY STAR label include:

• An increase in stringency for the gas furnace requirement to 97 AFUE.
• A proposal to eliminate the regional distinction for ENERGY STAR furnaces.
• An increase in stringency for the oil furnace requirement to 87 AFUE. 

The deadline to provide comments to EPA is May 16, 2024. Additional information is available on the Furnace Specification Version 5 website. 

Funding Opportunity Announcement Posted for Competitive Portion of Training for Residential Energy Contractors (TREC)

On March 29, 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) posted the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for the competitive portion of Training for Residential Energy Contractors (TREC). SCEP anticipates making ten to thirty awards between $250,000 and $5,000,000. Letters of Intent are due May 9, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. ET. The FOA is available on the U.S. Department of Energy website. NASEO will provide additional resources as they become available. 

Round Two of Renewable Energy Siting Program for State-Based Collaboratives

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has opened applications for Round Two of the Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP) program. This opportunity will award up to $12 million to support the creation or expansion of state-based programs or initiatives that improve processes at the state and local levels. If you would like to discuss your state’s renewable energy siting efforts with NASEO or other State Energy Offices, please reach out to Sandy Fazeli (sfazeli@naseo.org). 

U.S. DOE Announces New Technical Assistance Program for State Energy Offices and Public Utilities Commissions on Electricity Issues 

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is announcing a new opportunity for State Energy Offices and State Public Utility Commissions to get easy access to rapid turn-around, high impact technical assistance on electricity related issues. The Resources and Assistance for State Energy Offices and Regulators program uses a brief, straightforward application process to connect State Energy Offices and State Public Utility Commissions with subject matter experts (SME) from Berkeley Lab, Pacific Northwest National Lab, and National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Although this program can answer questions and provide support on virtually any electricity-related issue, it is especially focused on addressing the following key topics:

• Integrated Grid Planning & End-Use Technology Integration
• End-Use, Distribution, and Bulk-Power Operation
• Electricity Markets & Compensation
• Resource Adequacy, Reliability, and Resilience

PUCs and SEOs can request the following types of technical assistance (there is no limit to the number of individual requests a State Energy Offices and State Public Utility Commissions can make through this program and it is open to anyone working at a State Energy Offices and State Public Utility Commissions who may need support with or have questions regarding electricity related issue):

• Help Desk: Provides up to 4 hours of technical assistance with an SME to address inquiries that are straightforward and narrowly focused. It is available starting on March 13, 2024.
• Expert Match: Provides up to 80 hours of technical assistance with an SME to address inquiries that require more time and effort. It is available starting on April 1, 2024.
• Deep Dive: This type of technical assistance addresses inquiries that require considerable time and effort, usually multiple person-months. Applications will be accepted beginning on April 24, with a deadline for submission of June 5. Awardees will be notified in August or September.

Online intake and application forms as well as any additional details can be found at https://statetaprogram.lbl.gov/.

U.S. EPA Source Reduction Assistance (SRA) Grants Funding Opportunity

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to eligible entities (including states, inter- and intrastate bodies, localities, Tribes, and their instrumentalities and non-profits) in Regions 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, and 10 for research, investigation, experiments, surveys, studies, demonstration, education, and/or training using source reduction approaches (also known as “pollution prevention” or “P2”). Suggested project types include but are not limited to prevention of greenhouse gas emissions, including through energy efficiency; hazardous materials source reduction; innovative approaches to conservation of materials and resources; and environmental justice through P2 actions. A total of $1.5 million in federal funds awards ranging from $40,000 to $240,000 each requiring 5% match are expected. Applications are due April 15, 2024.

U.S. DOE Announces FY24 Funding Round for Grid Resilience Funding for States, Territories, and Tribes

On January 18, 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Grid Deployment Office released the Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grant FY24 Administrative and Legal Requirements Document (ALRD) to open the allocation request and application period for grid resilience formula funding for FY24. The program is supported by the Infrastructure, Investment, and Jobs Act (IIJA) under section 40101(d). The grants will provide $562 million to States, Territories, and Tribes to strengthen and modernize the electric grid. This is in addition to the $772 million in grants already awarded to states and tribes through this program in FY22 and FY23. Applications for FY24 funding are due April 17, 2024.

U.S. DOE issues $425 million Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grant Program Funding Opportunity

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a $425 million Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) under the Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grant Program, to offer grants to small- and medium-sized manufacturers to enable them to build new or retrofit existing manufacturing and industrial facilities in communities where coal mines or coal power plants have closed. These facilities will produce or recycle advanced energy products or contribute to emissions reductions within the manufacturing sector. The FOA builds on a previous funding round of $275 million for seven projects. This second round prioritizes two areas of interest: (1) Clean Energy Manufacturing and Recycling and (2) Industrial Decarbonization. Concept papers are due April 8, 2023, 5:00 p.m. ET with full applications due June 24, 2024, 5:00 p.m. ET.

U.S. DOE Publishes Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation Funding Opportunity Announcement

On March 4, 2024 the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published the second Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for the Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation grant program created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This competitive FOA makes $90 million available for partnerships that include State Energy Offices as lead applicants or as partners. Concept papers are due April 5, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. ET. To learn more click here or contact Ed Carley (ecarley@naseo.org). 

U.S. EPA Grant Funding Offers $32 Million to Address Indoor Air Pollution at Schools

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be offering $32 million to states, local, tribal, and territorial governments, and nonprofits that support low-income, disadvantaged, and Tribal K-12 public schools and/or school districts in the development and adoption of comprehensive indoor air quality (IAQ) management plans or in the efforts monitor and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and indoor air pollutants. EPA anticipates selecting four to six awardees, with individual grant amounts between $5 million and $8 million to support five years of IAQ and GHG emission reduction activities. Applications are due March 19, 2024. Please contact iaqschools@epa.gov with any comments or questions.

U.S. DOE Offers $83.1 million for Energy and Emissions Intensive Industry RD&D

This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) focuses on applied R&D and pilot demonstration for the highest GHG-emitting subsectors, specifically chemicals and fuels; iron and steel; food and beverage; cement and concrete, asphalt pavements, and glass; and forest products. Concept papers are due March 19, 2024 and full applications due June 11, 2024. Please see EERE eXCHANGE for more information and the full FOA.

U.S. DOE Announces $63 Million Available to Accelerate Domestic Heat Pump Manufacturing

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced availability of $63 million to grow domestic manufacturing of residential heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and other heat pump systems and components. This investment under the Inflation Reduction Act utilizes the Defense Production Act (DPA) to increase domestic production of key clean energy technologies, including electric heat pumps. This funding opportunity builds on first round of $169 million in funding to manufacturers of heat pumps and components in November 2023. Read the full funding opportunity here. Concept papers, required for all applicants, are due on March 15, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. ET. Full applications are due on April 29, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. ET. 

Sign Up for U.S. DOE Energy Security and Grid Resilience Cohorts Extended to March 15

(State and Territory Energy Offices Only)

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Security and Grid Resilience Cohorts represent a joint effort between the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response (CESER) and the Grid Deployment Office (GDO) in collaboration with NASEO, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to respond to state needs associated with implementation of federal grid resilience funding and development of state energy security plans (SESPs). These cohorts invite public utility commissions, State Energy Offices, consumer advocates, and emergency management agencies from different states to exchange ideas and input on best practices for advancing critical energy topics in their state. There will be a total six (6) cohorts:

• Grid Resilience Grant Implementation
• Risk Assessment Approaches
• Grid Resilience Metrics
• Risk Mitigation Strategies
• Regulatory Mechanisms to Support Grid Resilience
• Resilience Valuation Frameworks

The deadline to register has been extended to March 15, please register here. 

Grid Deployment Office Announces Request for Proposals for the Second Round of the Transmission Facilitation Program

On February 6, 2024, , the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Deployment Office (GDO) announced a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the second round of the Transmission Facilitation Program, a $2.5 billion revolving fund that helps large-scale new and upgraded transmission lines overcome financial hurdles. Through the RFP, DOE anticipates deploying up to $1.2 billion in federal support to accelerate transmission buildout through capacity contracts, an innovative approach that can increase the confidence of investors and potential customers while reducing risk for projects. The RFP is seeking project proposals to use capacity contracts that commit DOE to purchasing up to 50% of the maximum capacity of a transmission line. DOE’s capacity contract establishes the agency as an anchor customer who can provide certainty for potential financers and other customers. DOE will sell its capacity rights in these projects to other customers to recover its costs. The submission deadline for the first part of the application process is March 11, 2024.

U.S. DOE Clean Energy Innovator Fellowship Expands Eligibility to State and Territory Energy Offices and Opens Application Period 

On February 1, 2024 the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) launched the third round of the Clean Energy Innovator Fellowship, a workforce development program that matches recent graduates and energy professionals to key energy organizations that support efforts that advance clean energy solutions. Applications are now open for eligible Host Institutions, which for the first time this year also include State Energy Offices. Host Institution applications are due on March 5, 2024. Applications should include a project scope and describe their institution’s needs.

Through this program, host institutions receive support to help them accelerate the transition to clean electricity and better take advantage of federal grid resilience and modernization funding opportunities, while also increasing access to clean-energy career opportunities across the United States. Fellows will spend up to two years supporting projects that the Host Institutions identify as critical to enhancing grid resilience or advancing decarbonization while ensuring energy affordability and grid reliability. These can include state engagement in electrification, accelerated electric vehicle deployment, essential grid services on the distribution system, development of tribal energy expertise, and more. For more information, please click here. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Kirsten Verclas (kverclas@naseo.org). 

U.S. DOE Industrial Assessment Centers (IAC) Implementation Grant Program - Open Solicitation

The United States Department of Energy (DOE), in collaboration with its partnership intermediary, ENERGYWERX, has re-opened applications for small and medium-sized manufacturing firms (SMMs) to receive grants of up to $300,000, at 50% cost share, to implement recommendations made in assessments by Industrial Assessment Centers (IAC), DOE CHP/Onsite Energy Technical Assistance Partnerships, and other qualified “IAC-equivalent” programs. The IAC Program team will hold monthly “office hours” (next on February 15, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET) to answer questions about the implementation grant program and application process in preparation for the March 31, 2024 deadline. Questions can be submitted prior to office hours via Slido here.

U.S. Treasury and IRS Propose Guidance on 45X Advanced Manufacturing Production Tax Credit

On December 14, 2023, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced proposed guidance on the 45X Advanced Manufacturing Production Tax Credit. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for the 45X credit proposes clarifying definitions and confirms credit amounts for the manufacture and sale of eligible components, including solar energy components, wind energy components, inverters, qualifying battery components, and applicable critical minerals. It also proposes definitions for key terms to incentivize production in the United States and clarify circumstances under which taxpayers can claim the credit, including provisions for making elective payment (“direct pay”) or credit transfers. Comments on the NPRM are due by February 13, 2023 and can be made via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov (indicate IRS and REG-107423-23). A public hearing on this has been scheduled for February 22, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. ET. Requests to speak and outlines of topics to be discussed at the hearing must be received by February 13, 2024, and requests to attend received by February 20, 2024, 5:00 p.m. ET.

U.S. DOE Extends Deadline for IRA Building Energy Code Letter of Intent Submissions

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) previously announced the availability of $240 million in formula funding for adoption of the Latest Model Building codes and $160 million for the adoption of Zero Energy Building Codes. The Administrative and Legal Requirements Document (ALRD) modification published on November 17, 2023 extends the deadline for the required Letter of Intent from interested states and territories to Wednesday, January 31, 2024, to reserve funds in order to be eligible to submit a full application for formula funding. The deadline for submitting the full application is September 30, 2025. If you have any questions, please contact Ed Carley at: ecarley@naseo.org.

Initial Information Submission Window Open for National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors

On December 19, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Deployment Office (GDO) issued a final Guidance Document on the new four-phase process to designate National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (NIETCs). It also opened a public comment period to submit information on potential geographic areas to consider for NIETC designation.

A NIETC is an area of the country where DOE has determined that the lack of adequate transmission harms consumers. DOE has the authority to designate priority areas where new transmission infrastructure is urgently needed to advance important national interests, such as increased electric reliability and reduced consumer costs. NIETC designation is informed by the findings in DOE’s 2023 National Transmission Needs Study, which assesses both historic and anticipated future transmission capacity constraints and congestion. NIETC designation unlocks key federal financing and permitting tools to spur construction of urgently needed transmission infrastructure within a NIETC.

Interested parties are invited to submit information relevant to potential geographic areas to consider for NIETCs by 5:00 p.m. ET on February 2, 2024. For more information on NIETCs, click here.

U.S. DOE Announces Funding to Advance the National Clean Hydrogen Strategy

On December 15, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO) released a $59 million funding opportunity announcement to accelerate the research, development, demonstration, and deployment of clean hydrogen technologies. Selected projects will focus on advancing fueling infrastructure for medium- and heavy-duty (MD/HD) vehicles and other heavy transportation applications; developing and demonstrating hydrogen-based zero-emissions equipment for seaport facilities; addressing key challenges to siting, permitting, and installation; and improving community engagement and outreach to support environmental justice (EJ) and ensure equitable deployment of clean hydrogen systems. Achieving these goals will support the U.S. National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap. Concept papers are due January 26, 2024 and full applications are due March 22, 2024. For more information on this opportunity click here. 

Building Performance Institute Standard 2400 Annex E Available for Public Comment

An update to Standard Practice for the Standardized Qualification of Whole-House Energy Savings Predictions by Calibration to Energy Use History Informative Annex E: Alternative Asset‐Based Savings Calculation with Insufficient Energy Use Data is available for public comment until January 16, 2024. The standard is referenced in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 Section 50121 Home Energy Performance-Based Whole-House Rebates (HOMES). It specifies a process to calculate predicted energy savings using building simulation software and actual energy bills. The standard is available here.

U.S. DOE Opens Second Round of Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program

On November 14, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy opened the second round of the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program, which will provide an investment of an additional $3.9 billion for Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025. Successful projects will deploy federal funding to maximize grid infrastructure deployment at-scale and leverage private sector and non-federal public capital to advance deployment goals. The GRIP Programs are:

• Grid Resilience Utility and Industry Grants (FY24/FY25 $918 million) fund comprehensive transmission and distribution technology solutions that will mitigate multiple hazards across a region or within a community.
• Smart Grid Grants (FY24/FY25 $1.08 billion) increase the flexibility, efficiency, reliability, and resilience of the electric power system, with particular focus on increasing capacity of the transmission system, improving interconnection processes to accelerate clean energy build out, integrating renewable energy at the transmission and distribution levels, and facilitating the electrification of vehicles, buildings, and other grid-edge devices.
• The Grid Innovation Program (FY24/FY25 $1.82 billion) provides financial assistance to one or multiple states, Tribes, local governments, and public utility commissions to collaborate with electric grid owners and operators to deploy projects that use innovative approaches to transmission, storage, and distribution infrastructure to enhance grid resilience and reliability.

Sate Energy Offices are eligible to apply for the Smart Grid Grants and the Grid Innovation Program. Concept papers are a required first step in the application process and are due at 5:00 p.m. ET on January 12, 2024.

Grid Deployment Office Announces Grid Resilience Technical Assistance Consortium Funding Opportunity

On January 4, 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Deployment Office (GDO) announced a funding opportunity for the Grid Resilience Technical Assistance Consortium, which is intended to provide technical assistance for grid resilience planning and decision making to accelerate analysis of regional climate change threats and impacts on electric grid infrastructure.

Through this initial grant opportunity, up to $2 million will be made available to support the formation of regional consortia comprised of universities, non-profits, and industry organizations. The goal of these consortia is to enable grant recipients of GDO’s Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grant program to leverage existing models, tools, and methodologies that would allow rapid decision-making to prioritize investments for impactful community benefits. 

Interested parties are invited to register here for a Listening Session scheduled for January 10, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. ET. The deadline for applications for potential consortium members closes at 5:00 p.m. ET on February 15, 2024. More information regarding this program can be found on the Grid Deployment Office website here. 

U.S. DOE Opens Second Round of Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program

On November 14, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy opened the second round of the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program, which will provide an investment of an additional $3.9 billion for Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025. Successful projects will deploy federal funding to maximize grid infrastructure deployment at-scale and leverage private sector and non-federal public capital to advance deployment goals. The GRIP Programs are:

• Grid Resilience Utility and Industry Grants (FY24/FY25 $918 million) fund comprehensive transmission and distribution technology solutions that will mitigate multiple hazards across a region or within a community.
• Smart Grid Grants (FY24/FY25 $1.08 billion) increase the flexibility, efficiency, reliability, and resilience of the electric power system, with particular focus on increasing capacity of the transmission system, improving interconnection processes to accelerate clean energy build out, integrating renewable energy at the transmission and distribution levels, and facilitating the electrification of vehicles, buildings, and other grid-edge devices.
• The Grid Innovation Program (FY24/FY25 $1.82 billion) provides financial assistance to one or multiple states, Tribes, local governments, and public utility commissions to collaborate with electric grid owners and operators to deploy projects that use innovative approaches to transmission, storage, and distribution infrastructure to enhance grid resilience and reliability.

Sate Energy Offices are eligible to apply for the Smart Grid Grants and the Grid Innovation Program. Concept papers are a required first step in the application process and are due at 5:00 p.m. ET on January 12, 2024.

FEMA Announces Notice of Funding Opportunity for FY2023 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Program (BRIC)

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides annual funding for the Building Resilient Infrastructures and Communities (BRIC) grant program to states, local communities, tribes, and territories on hazard mitigation activities. In fiscal year 2023 (FY2023), FEMA will be offering a total of $1 billion, allocating $112 million for new, non-competitive “Building Code Plus-Up” grants that can be used to support eligible energy code adoption, development, and implementation activities that contribute to increased building resilience. This "Plus-Up" provides grants of up to $2 million for each state and territory applicant and makes $25 million available for allocations to tribal nations, in addition to the $2 million for each state and territory applicant under the annual state or territory allocation grant set-aside, bringing each state and territory's maximum possible allocation from BRIC up to $4 million. State and territory applicants may apply for funding between October 16, 2023, and February 29, 2024. NASEO developed a state action guide on deploying energy resilience projects under the BRIC Program, which can be found here. For more information on the BRIC FY2023 Notice of Funding Opportunity, please visit the the BRIC webpage, or reach out to Ed Carley (ecarley@naseo.org), Blake Kinney (bkinney@naseo.org), and Jasmine Xie (jxie@naseo.org). 

U.S. DOE Extends Deadline for $2 Billion Domestic Manufacturing Conversion Grants Opportunity

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chain (MESC) will hold an informational webinar on January 5, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET (register here) on the full application process for the Domestic Manufacturing Conversion Grants FOA and extends the deadline for full applications to January 23, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. ET. The $2 billion funding opportunity, announced on August 31, 2023, will provide cost-shared grants for domestic production of efficient hybrid, plug-in electric hybrid, plug-in electric drive, and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles. This program will expand manufacturing of light-, medium-, and heavy-duty electrified vehicles and components and support commercial facilities including those for vehicle assembly, component assembly, and related vehicle part manufacturing. The program aims to support a just transition for workers and communities in the transition to electrified transportation, with particular attention to communities supporting facilities with longer histories in automotive manufacturing. Preference will also be given to projects that commit to pay high wages for production workers and maintain collective bargaining agreements. 

U.S. DOE Announces FY24 Allocations and Application Period for Grid Resilience Formula Grants to States and Indian Tribes (40101(d))

On December 14, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Deployment Office (GDO) published the fiscal year 2024 grant allocations to States, Territories, and Tribes for the Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants program. The application period for Grid Resilience Formula Grants will open in January 2024 and GDO has published an updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) as the application process differs between existing grant recipients, current grant applicants, and new grant applicants. To date, the Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants program has awarded more than $750 million in funding to enhance states, territories, and Indian tribe’s efforts in strengthening and modernizing the electric grid. With an additional $1.4 billion to be distributed over the next three years, states will continue to pursue a variety of projects that increase grid resiliency and reliability. Please click here to read the full announcement from GDO.

U.S. Department of Treasury and IRS Release Hydrogen Production Credit Guidance

On December 22, 2023, the U.S. Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released proposed regulations on the Clean Hydrogen Production Credit established by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The Treasury Department’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) provides definitions of key terms in the statute, including lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions, qualified clean hydrogen, and qualified clean hydrogen production facility. For hydrogen production facilities meeting prevailing wage and registered apprenticeship requirements, the amount of the credit ranges from $0.60 per kilogram (kg) of hydrogen produced to $3 per kg of hydrogen, depending on the lifecycle emissions of the hydrogen production. The proposed rules explain the three criteria that must be reflected by hydrogen producers claiming the tax credit related to incrementality, deliverability, and time-matching. The guidance will undergo 60 days of public comment and hearings before being finalized. 

U.S. DOE Open Solicitation: Grants for Small and Medium-sized Manufacturers

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), in collaboration with its Partnership Intermediary, ENERGYWERX, has re-opened solicitation for small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) to receive 50% cost-shared grants of up to $300,000 to implement recommendations made by Industrial Assessment Centers (IACs), Combined Heat and Power Technical Assistance Partnerships (CHP TAPs), and qualified third-party assessors. DOE is also soliciting applications from third-party assessors interested in qualifying as “IAC-equivalent” so their clients can be eligible for future implementation grants. Implementation grant applicants and applicants for third-parties seeking “IAC-equivalent” qualification may click here for more information (next deadline for both are December 31, 2023, 5:00 p.m. ET.) A list of Round 1 Implementation Grant Awardees and qualified third-party assessors can be found here.

U.S. Department of Energy Announces New Energy Auditor Training Program Opportunity

On November 14, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) published a Notice of Intent (NOI) for the release of the Energy Auditor Training Program Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA). Section 40503 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provided SCEP $40 million for a competitive (required in statute) opportunity open to State Energy Offices to provide energy auditor trainings. The NOI indicates that SCEP will divide the funds equally available between residential and commercial auditing at $18 million each and make 8-10 awards for each category. Additional information is available on the Energy Auditor Training Grant Program website. 

U.S. DOE Announces $18 Million in Technical Assistance for LEAP

The U.S. Department of Energy announced more than $18 million in technical assistance services for the second round of Communities Local Energy Action Program (LEAP) to support 24-32 low-income, energy burdened communities in their clean energy transitions. Selected communities will be matched with DOE’s network of technical assistance providers who will assist them with developing local energy action plans that focus on areas such as advanced nuclear technology, clean energy planning and development, carbon capture and storage, clean transportation planning and investment, community resilience microgrids, and more. 

Eligible applicants are low-income, energy burdened communities that are also either disadvantaged or experiencing direct economic impacts from the shift away from fossil fuels. Applicant teams must include at least one community-based organization and one local government or Tribal entity. Applications must be submitted no later than December 14, 2023 by 5:00 p.m. ET. More information about Communities LEAP and how to apply can be found at Communities LEAP | Department of Energy.

GSA/DOE Issues Green Proving Ground FY24 RFI for Technologies that Support Net-Zero Carbon Buildings

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), has issued the FY24 request for information (RFI) for technologies that can enable energy efficiency, drive decarbonization and support the transition to a more efficient electric infrastructure. This year’s RFI seeks emerging and sustainable technologies that support:

• Deep Energy Retrofits
• All-Electric Buildings and Vehicle Fleets
• Net-Zero Operations
• Healthy and Resilient Buildings
• Building Commissioning and Control

Submissions should be early- or underutilized-commercial technologies ready for evaluation in occupied, operational buildings. The RFI is now open until December 8, 2023, 11:59 PM ET. For more on this RFI click here. The November 9 informational webinar recording will be posted on the GSA Center for Emerging Technologies YouTube channel.

U.S. DOE Energy Efficient Transformer and Extended Product System Rebates

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has opened a $10 million Energy Efficient Transformer Rebates Program for owners of industrial or manufacturing facilities, commercial buildings, and multifamily buildings as well as utilities and energy service companies for the replacement of a qualified energy inefficient transformer with a qualified energy efficient transformer. DOE also opened a $10 million Extended Product System Rebates Program offering rebates to any purchasers of qualified extended product systems (i.e., electric motor, electronic control, and driven load) and manufacturers of commercial or industrial machinery or equipment that incorporates a qualified extended product system. A Rebates Portal provides more information and means to register and apply for rebates. Rebate applications for both programs must be received by December 8, 2023, with rebates available through December 31, 2023, or until funds are expended; whichever comes first.

U.S. DOE Opens $30M+ Voucher Program to Advance Clean Energy Demonstration and Commercialization

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has opened a voucher program to connect U.S. entrepreneurs; businesses; technology developers; state, Tribal and local governments; and other partners with third-party voucher providers to advance demonstration and commercialization of innovative energy technologies. This program was developed by the Office of Technology Transitions (OTT) in partnership with the Offices of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED), Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM), and Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). This is also a call to businesses, non-profits, National Labs, and others providing commercialization support in the clean energy space. Vouchers can be used to access test-bed performance validation capabilities, industry certification testing, technical and business maturation services, siting/permitting support, and other commercialization assistance. Opportunities include (1) Pre-Demonstration Commercialization Support (OCED/EERE), (2) Performance Validation, Modeling, and Certification Support (OCED/EERE), (3) Clean Energy Demonstration Project Siting/Permitting Support (OCED/EERE), (4) Commercialization Support (EERE), and (5) Commercialization Support (FECM). Additional information is available via the ENERGYWERX website.

Engagement Opportunity with EPA Grants for Climate Action Planning

The Inflation Reduction Act established the $5 billion Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Phase 1, launched on March 1, 2023, allocates $250 million to states, local governments, tribes, and territories for designing climate action plans targeting Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reductions in electricity generation, industry, transportation, buildings, agriculture/natural and working lands, and waste management. Recipients of the Phase 1 planning grants must submit Priority Climate Action Plans (PCAP) by March 1, 2024. Phase 2, unveiled on September 20, 2023, offers up to $4.6 billion in competitive grants for implementing GHG reduction measures, and to be eligible, measures must be outlined in the PCAPs. EPA is conducting Technical Assistance Forums to support planning grant recipients including on energy-related topic areas. Lead state organizations are directed by program guidance to conduct interagency and intergovernmental outreach in the development of the PCAPs.

U.S. DOE Launches Building Energy Efficiency Frontiers & Innovation Technologies (BENEFIT) Funding for 2024

The U.S. Department of Energy's Building Technologies Office (BTO) has announced the 2024 Building Energy Efficiency Frontiers & Innovation Technologies (BENEFIT) Funding Opportunity, which allocates up to $30 million across nine focus areas to pioneer research, development, and validation of technologies aimed at significantly advancing building decarbonization. In its tenth program year, the technologies developed through BENEFIT 2024 should push the boundaries of HVAC equipment, reduce the expenses associated with building envelope and lighting retrofits, and enhance building resilience against blackouts and extreme weather. The 2024 BENEFIT FOA also champions the Affordable Home Energy Earth Shot, the latest of eight Energy Earthshot™ initiatives introduced by the DOE. This specific endeavor aims to slash the costs linked to decarbonizing affordable housing by a minimum of 50% while simultaneously reducing residents' energy bills by at least 20% within a decade. Eligible applicants for 2024 BENEFIT funding include state and local government entities. For more details about this funding opportunity and to apply, please visit this page.

U.S. DOE Announces $121 Million to Reduce Industrial Sector Emissions

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office (IEDO) issued a $38 million funding opportunity announcement (FOA) to accelerate innovative, cross-sector technologies required to create a clean energy economy. Additionally, DOE announced a notice of intent (NOI) to issue a $83 million funding opportunity that will decrease emissions in the hardest to decarbonize industrial subsectors.

• The Cross-Sector Technologies (CST) FOA focuses on high-impact, applied research, development, and pilot demonstration projects to advance the transformational cross-sector technologies and innovations required to reduce energy use and GHG emissions across the industrial sector. FOA topics include electrification of industrial heat, efficient energy use in industrial systems, and decarbonizing organic wastewater and wet waste treatment. Concept papers are due December 18, 2023, at 5:00pm ET, and full applications are due March 20, 2024, at 5:00pm ET.
• The Energy- and Emissions-Intensive Industries (EEII) NOI focuses on applied RD&D for the highest GHG-emitting industrial subsectors -- chemicals and fuels; iron and steel; food and beverage; building and infrastructure materials (including cement and concrete, asphalt pavements, and glass); and forest products -- that account for more than 65% of U.S. industrial manufacturing emissions. It also includes a joint topic with the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO) and the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) focused on pre-front-end engineering and design (pre-FEED) studies that support the development of decarbonized industrial processes such as: (a) integration of green hydrogen as a feedstock in clean fuels, chemicals, and iron and steel production; (b) carbon capture for select industrial sectors; and (c) integration of multiple decarbonization technologies for chemical production, mineral processing, and iron and steel.

U.S. DOE Issues Notice of Intent to Fund Research for Waste-to-Energy Community Solutions that Advance the U.S. Bioeconomy

The DOE’s Bioengineering Technologies Office (BETO) and Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) announced their Notice of Intent to issue a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) to support the development of community planning and strategies for converting organic waste into feedstock for various clean transportation projects. The potential FOTA is expected for December 2023 and could include up to $7.5 million in federal funding to focus on the topics of supporting communities’ development of in-depth feasibility analyses of potential waste-to-fuels solutions and supporting communities with completed feasibility studies to advance detailed engineering designs, and in some cases, support the initiation of experimental work and data generation to further define project concepts. BETO has compiled a Teaming Partner list to encourage collaboration and facilitate the formation of project teams to provide additional expertise and resources to successfully meet the FOA goals. For more information, please visit the EERE Funding Opportunity Exchange. 

Colorado Energy Office Request for Information: Colorado Medium- and Heavy-Duty (M/HD) Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Corridors 

On behalf of the state of Colorado, Colorado Energy Office is issuing an RFI to inform the design and development of the state’s Fleet Zero-Emission Resource Opportunity (Fleet-ZERO) Medium- and Heavy-Duty Charging Corridors funding lane, receive feedback on the draft of Colorado M/HD Charging Corridors GIS Map, and gain a better understanding of the prospective business models, scope, design, timelines, anticipated demand, utilization, costs, and other helpful information in relation to successfully deploying M/HD corridor charging throughout Colorado. Responses to the RFI are due December 1, 2023, by 5:00 p.m. MT.

FEMA Announces Notice of Funding Opportunity for FY2023 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Program (BRIC)

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides annual funding for the Building Resilient Infrastructures and Communities (BRIC) grant program to states, local communities, tribes, and territories on hazard mitigation activities. In fiscal year 2023 (FY2023), FEMA will be offering a total of $1 billion, allocating $112 million for new, non-competitive “Building Code Plus-Up” grants that can be used to support eligible energy code adoption, development, and implementation activities that contribute to increased building resilience. This "Plus-Up" provides grants of up to $2 million for each state and territory applicant and makes $25 million available for allocations to tribal nations, in addition to the $2 million for each state and territory applicant under the annual state or territory allocation grant set-aside, bringing each state and territory's maximum possible allocation from BRIC up to $4 million. State and territory applicants may apply for funding between October 16, 2023, and February 29, 2024. NASEO developed a state action guide on deploying energy resilience projects under the BRIC Program, which can be found here. For more information on the BRIC FY2023 Notice of Funding Opportunity, please visit the the BRIC webpage, or reach out to Ed Carley (ecarley@naseo.org), Blake Kinney (bkinney@naseo.org), and Jasmine Xie (jxie@naseo.org). 

U.S. DOE Opens $30M+ Voucher Program to Advance Clean Energy Demonstration and Commercialization

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has opened a voucher program to connect U.S. entrepreneurs; businesses; technology developers; state, Tribal and local governments; and other partners with third-party voucher providers to advance demonstration and commercialization of innovative energy technologies. This program was developed by the Office of Technology Transitions (OTT) in partnership with the Offices of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED), Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM), and Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). This is also a call to businesses, non-profits, National Labs, and others providing commercialization support in the clean energy space. Vouchers can be used to access test-bed performance validation capabilities, industry certification testing, technical and business maturation services, siting/permitting support, and other commercialization assistance. Opportunities include (1) Pre-Demonstration Commercialization Support (OCED/EERE), (2) Performance Validation, Modeling, and Certification Support (OCED/EERE), (3) Clean Energy Demonstration Project Siting/Permitting Support (OCED/EERE), (4) Commercialization Support (EERE), and (5) Commercialization Support (FECM). Additional information is available via the ENERGYWERX website.

U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA issue Notice of Intent to Fund Methane Reductions from the Oil and Gas Sector

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), issued a notice of intent announcing the first in a series of funding opportunities. Up to $350 million in formula funding is planned for eligible states to help industry voluntarily identify and permanently reduce methane emissions from low-producing (marginal) conventional wells. States will be able to use a portion of their award for environmental restoration and to enhance monitoring capacity for low-producing conventional wells, which will improve their ability to identify and prioritize methane emissions for mitigation. DOE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) plans to issue the funding opportunity announcement later this summer. Following this non-competitive solicitation, EPA and DOE intend to offer one or more additional competitive solicitations to monitor and mitigate methane emissions from the oil and gas sector, which will be available to a broader range of applicants. 

U.S. DOE and U.S. DOI Release Offshore Wind Action Plan 

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) released An Action Plan for Offshore Wind Transmission Development in the U.S. Atlantic Region. This is a set of actions for Federal, state, and local governments; industry; and other stakeholders to catalyze offshore wind energy, strengthen the domestic supply chain, and create jobs. The plan outlines immediate actions needed to connect the first generation of Atlantic offshore wind projects onto the electric grid, and longer-term efforts to support needed transmission over the next several decades. The final plan can be found here. 

U.S. DOE Announces Funding for Transmission Siting and Economic Development Grant Program

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Grid Deployment Office announced a funding opportunity of up to $300 million in grants for states, tribes, and local governments to accelerate and strengthen electric transmission siting and permitting processes. The program is supported by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and is designed to help overcome state and local challenges to expanding transmission capacity while also supporting communities along major new and upgraded lines. Concept papers are due November 17, 2023 (extended), with full applications due April 5, 2024. 

U.S. DOE Issues $50 million Funding Opportunity for Distributed Energy Systems Demonstration

The U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) issued a new $50 million funding opportunity to demonstrate distributed energy systems that not only include distributed renewable generation but also flexible energy management by buildings, EV charging, heat pumps, energy storage, and other equipment. Distributed energy systems can enhance energy reliability and resilience, reduce electric losses and stresses on the grid, and support decarbonization and environmental objectives. OCED will provide up to 50 percent of the cost share for 2-4 utility and/or private sector led projects to demonstrate the reliable operation and financial value of connected energy systems with high levels of renewable generation and a variety of connected energy assets. Concept papers are due by November 16, 2023, at 5:00 p.m., ET. Learn more and apply here.

U.S. DOE Announces New Program to Support State Participation in Wholesale Electricity Markets

On September 29, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released the funding opportunity announcement for the Wholesale Electricity Market Studies and Engagement Program (WEMSE). This funding is intended to provide states and regions with technical and financial assistance related to developing, expanding, and improving wholesale electricity markets. This program is designed to enable states and other eligible entities to perform analytical studies on critical market issues, convene stakeholders, or increase a state or region’s capacity to engage in market design reform efforts and stakeholder planning processes at a regional level. DOE anticipates making approximately $9 million of federal funding available through the WEMSE program, which will include three rounds of funding. The concept paper for the first round of funding will be due on November 3, 2023; subsequent rounds of funding will open in 2024. The multiple rounds of funding are intended to afford states, market operators, and other wholesale market stakeholders the time to develop coalitions and coordinate joint applications.

U.S. DOE Announces Transportation- and Battery-Related Manufacturing Grant and Loan Opportunities

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced grant and loan programs to expand clean vehicle-related manufacturing as well as a notice of intent to strengthen battery-related material processing and manufacturing.

• Two billion dollars of Domestic Manufacturing Conversion Grants will be offered to support domestic production of efficient hybrid, plug-in electric hybrid, plug-in electric drive, and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles and their components, including for facilities for vehicle and component assembly and related vehicle part manufacturing. The concept paper deadline is November 1, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. ET, with full applications due January 9, 2024, 5:00 p.m. ET.
• Up to $10 billion of loans will be made available through the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program to finance the conversion or replacement of facilities to manufacture a range of advanced technology vehicles and their components, including light-duty vehicles, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, locomotives, maritime vessels including offshore wind vessels, aircrafts, and hyperloop.
• DOE issued a Notice of Intent to provide funding under “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law 40207(b) Battery Materials Processing and 40207(c) Battery Manufacturing Grants Round II”.  

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 6^th and December 7^th, 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. 

In order to assist the State and Territory Energy Offices as they implement programs under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (2022), NASEO has developed this library of sample program documents (including RFPs) that may be adapted for use in the design and implementation of new programs. Currently, this library highlights buildings and transportation-focused program resources, including those from voluntary and mandatory building energy improvement programs, shared energy manager programs, and those compiled in the EV States Clearinghouse. 

To view the model program, policy and RFP library, please click here.   

Summary: A total of $500 million will be provided to State Energy Offices via formula through the IIJA. This will be in addition to SEP funding provided through the annual appropriations process. IIJA SEP funding may be spent on any eligible SEP activity. 

The IIJA reauthorized SEP and added electric transmission and distribution planning as a mandatory element, broadened the transportation and alternative fuel planning options, and strengthened the existing energy security planning requirements that have long been a feature of the program. In addition, both IIJA and annual SEP funding is contingent upon states providing a letter from the governor regarding each states energy security plan. Please contact NASEO for additional details about the plans, the governor’s letter requirement, and other information.

SEP Success Stories

More information about SEP

Staff Contact: Cassie Powers (cpowers@naseo.org)  

Summary: The IIJA establishes an Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund Capitalization Grant Program, which will establish a $250 million revolving loan fund within SEP with capitalization grants to State Energy Offices for commercial and residential energy efficiency loan fund and audits.

• Summary of Financing Sections of the IIJA 

U.S. Department of Energy Releases Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Revolving Loan Fund Program Guidance

On November 15, 2022, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released the 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, and a template for declining funds for the program. The guidance documents also include the Administrative and Legal Requirements Document for the states. Applications by states for this program are due to DOE 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.

Staff Contact: Sam Cramer (scramer@naseo.org) 

Summary: IIJA provides $550 million in EECBG funding. Approximately $150 million (or 28 percent) of the funding will be allocated to State Energy Offices via EECBG formula.

EECBG Formula Grant Application Hub: 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.

Formula Allocation: On June 29, 2022, the U.S. Department of Energy published the state, local, and tribal allocation formulas for EECBG in Federal Register Volume 87, Issue 124. Of the $550 million appropriated in IIJA for EECBG, 28% will be allocated to states through formula grants, 68% to eligible units of local government, 2% to tribes, and 2% for competitive grants to ineligible local governments and Indian tribes, as prescribed by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Each state will receive an allocation of at least 1.25%, and the remaining funds will be allocated to states based on three equally weighted factors:

• The total population for the state;
• The remaining population of the state after subtracting the populations of all eligible local governments within the state; and
• Total state energy consumption, except for consumption in the industrial sector.

NASEO and Partner Resources: 

• NASEO, National League of Cities, and E4TheFuture Webinar: EECBG Application Overview and State-Local Clean Energy Partnerships (February 13, 2023): Meeting Recording, Slides
• NASEO-E4TheFuture Webinar: EECBG Program Basics (March 17, 2022): Meeting Recording
• NASEO-National League of Cities Blog (May 2022): "State-City Partnership Opportunities through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program"

Summary: The IIJA provides $3.5 billion through WAP. 

Staff Contact: Cassie Powers (cpowers@naseo.org) 

Summary: NASEO prepared a summary of the electric system resilience, transmission, and distribution provisions of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Opens Second Round of Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program
On November 14, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy opened the second round of the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program, which will provide an investment of an additional $3.9 billion for Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025. Successful projects will deploy federal funding to maximize grid infrastructure deployment at-scale and leverage private sector and non-federal public capital to advance deployment goals. The GRIP Programs are:

• Grid Resilience Utility and Industry Grants (FY24/FY25 $918 million) fund comprehensive transmission and distribution technology solutions that will mitigate multiple hazards across a region or within a community. Grid Resilience Grant selections will focus on hardening infrastructure with digitization and automation; improving tools to restore power to the grid during outages; and investing in technologies to improve the efficiency of the grid, such as advanced conductoring and reconductoring.
• Smart Grid Grants (FY24/FY25 $1.08 billion) increase the flexibility, efficiency, reliability, and resilience of the electric power system, with particular focus on increasing capacity of the transmission system, improving interconnection processes to accelerate clean energy build out, integrating renewable energy at the transmission and distribution levels, and facilitating the electrification of vehicles, buildings, and other grid-edge devices. Smart Grid Grants will expand opportunities to deploy transmission, specifically advanced conductors, high-voltage direct current, and grid enhancing technologies, as well as more rapid processing of interconnection applications and minimizing queue-related delays for clean energy at both the transmission and distribution levels.
• The Grid Innovation Program (FY24/FY25 $1.82 billion) provides financial assistance to one or multiple states, Tribes, local governments, and public utility commissions to collaborate with electric grid owners and operators to deploy projects that use innovative approaches to transmission, storage, and distribution infrastructure to enhance grid resilience and reliability. Selections in this program will include transmission projects to support remote clean energy generation, improve interregional interconnection, and that use innovative technologies or execution approaches. The program will also prioritize projects that provide scalability, replicability, and innovation in the distribution space like district electrification, grid and resilience services from distributed energy resources, and battery energy storage systems.

Sate Energy Offices are eligible to apply for the Smart Grid Grants and the Grid Innovation Program. Concept papers are a required first step in the application process and are due at 5:00 p.m. ET on January 12, 2024. A public webinar will be held at 3:00 p.m. ET on November 20, 2023, to provide additional information. Registration is required.

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. A public webinar will be held on May 17, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. ET. Registration is required.

U.S. Department of Energy Notice of Intent (NOI) “Building a Better Grid”. The NOI describes pending program elements and associated funding for the various electric-grid provisions of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. 

• Notice of Intent “Building a Better Grid Initiative to Upgrade and Expand the Nation’s Electric Transmission Grid to Support Resilience, Reliability, and Decarbonization.” 
• A public webinar was held on February 24, 2022 with more information

U.S. Department of Energy Releases Request for Information (RFI) on Transmission Siting and Economic Development Grants Program

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Grid Deployment Office launched the Transmission Siting and Economic Development Grants program, a $760 million investment through the Inflation Reduction Act to support states and local communities in the siting and permitting of interstate and offshore electricity transmission lines. As a first step in the development of this program, DOE is requesting information from stakeholders regarding issues related to the provision of grants to facilitate the siting of interstate and offshore electricity transmission lines, including possible tools and resources that may reduce the time for siting authorities to reach decisions, and opportunities to increase community engagement and reduce conflicts that can stall siting processes. Responses to this Request for Information are due no later than 5:00 p.m. EST on February 28, 2023. 

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.

IIJA Grid Resilience Standing Calls: NASEO has been hosting calls (limited to State and Territory Energy Offices) to support states in navigating the application process for and implementation of section 40101(d) and the GRIP program. To be included in these calls, please email Kirsten Verclas at kverclas@naseo.org 

Electricity Committee Calls: NASEO’s Electricity Committee is hosting periodic calls on the implementation of the IIJA. To be added to the Electricity Committee roster and receive notifications of those calls, please contact Kirsten Verclas at kverclas@naseo.org.  

Staff Contact: Kirsten Verclas (kverclas@naseo.org)

Summary of Sustainable Transportation funding opportunities relevant to State Energy Offices through the IIJA

National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Summary of Program Guidance

NASEO’s State EV Infrastructure Summit and Workshop Series – Summit agenda and workshop recordings available 

NASEO EV Implementation Working Group – NASEO is convening State Energy Offices, State Departments of Transportation, State Environmental Agencies, and State PUCs to identify pain-points in the infrastructure package and explore strategies and tools that states can use to build a robust EV charging network

Online State EV Toolkit – EVStates.org 

Staff Contacts: Cassie Powers (cpowers@naseo.org) and Dylan Tucker (dtucker@naseo.org)  

NASEO Energy Security Planning Technical Assistance Working Group – In early 2022, NASEO will be hosting a working group which will provide regular opportunities for State Energy Offices to receive feedback and education on Energy Security Planning. NASEO will bring in industry presenters and leverage peer expertise to present on various topics based on state priorities which may include public-private industry coordination, cybersecurity, incident command integration, regional coordination, equity, defense critical energy infrastructure, long-term climate change mitigation, and more. Please reach out to Campbell Delahoyde (cdelahoyde@naseo.org) if you are interested in participating.

Resources to Support Energy Security/Assurance Planning for State Energy Offices:

• State Energy Assurance Guidelines (NASEO)
• State and Regional Energy Risk Assessments (US DOE CESER)
• Enhancing Energy Sector Cybersecurity: Pathways for State and Territory Energy Offices (NASEO)
• State Energy Security Planning Checklist – coming soon
• State Energy Security Plans: An Overview for State Governors and Legislators – coming soon 

Staff Contacts: Campbell Delahoyde (cdelahoyde@naseo.org), Kirsten Verclas (kverclas@naseo.org), and Kelsey Jones (kjones@naseo.org)

Summary: The IIJA will provide $225 million for building energy codes technical assistance and training; $10 million for Building Training, and Assessment Centers; $500 million for grants for energy improvements and renewable energy improvements at public school facilities; and $50 million for an Energy Efficiency Materials Pilot Program. The IIJA also establishes a $40 million auditor training competitive program, open only to State Energy Offices.

NASEO Buildings Committee Meeting: The NASEO Building Committee held a meeting on December 1, 2021 at 3:30 p.m. ET to present details of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021. A recording of the webinar will be made available here as soon as it is available, along with the slide deck containing details of the portions of the IIJA that fund State and Territory Energy Office work. The webinar focused on elements of the IIJA related to the energy efficiency of buildings and provisions that have indirect impact on the work of the states such as directives from Congress to the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

• EPA ENERGY STAR Public Sector Support - Federal Funding Tracker for Buildings
• Summary of Buildings Provisions in IIJA for NASEO’s Buildings Committee
• Summary of Section 40541: Grants for Energy Efficiency Improvements and Renewable Energy Improvements at Public School Facilities

This presentation was delivered to a meeting of the Alaska Energy Efficiency Partnership Group meeting on May 17, 2022. 

Staff Contact: Ed Carley (ecarley@naseo.org) 

NASEO Energy Equity Committee: The NASEO Energy Equity Committee is actively monitoring the opportunities and implications of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. NASEO members are welcome to join meetings of the Committee to learn more. Information on upcoming meetings is available on the NASEO Events page. 

Executive Order on Tacking the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad 

Interim Implementation Guidance for the Justice40 Initiative 

Staff Contact: Maddie Koewler (mkoewler@naseo.org), Sandy Fazeli (sfazeli@naseo.org), Grace Lowe (glowe@naseo.org), and Arvand Golbazi (agolbazi@naseo.org)

Summary: The IIJA channels significant funding into key subsectors of the energy industry – ranging energy efficiency in buildings and sustainable transportation infrastructure to broad-based improvements to the performance, security, resilience of the electric grid. In addition to weathering job and worker losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the energy industry has faced hiring difficulties and recruitment challenges for years, according to the U.S. Energy and Employment Report. The IIJA includes some key provisions for bolstering skills and capacity in electricity, energy efficiency, and manufacturing, but the scale of investment through the IIJA highlights the need for State Energy Offices to ensure there is a high-performing and inclusive local workforce to rise to the challenge.

NASEO-Markle Foundation Clean Energy Workforce Collaborative: NASEO and Markle Foundation convened state clean energy and workforce representatives in Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin through a collaborative six-month initiative to catalyze actions aimed at building inclusive, skilled clean energy workforces. The partner states, represented by State Energy Office and workforce agency staff, committed to identifying and using policy levers to broaden access to good quality jobs in the clean energy industry for all people, paying particular attention to breaking down barriers and broadening paths for demographic groups that have long been underrepresented in good quality jobs in the sector. To learn more, 

NASEO-HBCU Meeting Series: Through a collaboration with the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Clean Energy Initiative (CEI), NASEO is hosting a series of meetings in 2022 to examine opportunities to expand and diversify the clean energy workforce, and help better connect talent and research from HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions to the energy, climate, and economic development planning and policy work of the State Energy. Offices. Access meeting recordings here:

• December 14, 2021: “The Energy Workforce Landscape and Outlooks for Clean Energy Funding”
• January 11, 2022: “State Energy Office-Minority Serving Institution Partnerships for Clean Energy Infrastructure and Workforce Development”

Key Publications and Resources:

• Realizing the Workforce Potential of Infrastructure Investments: State Strategies to Advance Job Quality and Build Inclusive Workforces in Transportation and Clean Energy, February 2023
  • Full Report
  • Executive Summary
  • Framework for State Action
• Diversity in the U.S. Energy Workforce: Data Findings to Inform State Energy, Climate, and Workforce Development Policies and Programs
• Energy Sector Workforce Diversity, Access, Inclusion, and the Policy Case for Investment: Recommendations for State Energy Office Action
• 2021 U.S. Energy and Employment Report
• Wages, Benefits, and Change: A Supplemental Report to the Annual USEER

Summary: The IIJA will support multiple programs addressing manufacturing and industrial activities. Several provisions will enhance the manufacturing and industrial sector generally, including:

• Sustainable Manufacturing Initiative: DOE will provide onsite technical assessments for energy, water, and pollution prevention.
• Industrial Assessment Centers (IACs): $150 million for IACs, including expansion and workforce training support (50% cost share for certain internships and apprenticeships); $400 million grant program for businesses to implement IAC recommendations, no greater than $300,000 per grant with a 50% match requirement. 
• Smart Manufacturing Technology Implementation Programs: $50 million in competitive funding for states, with up to $2 million per award and a 30% match requirement

Other provisions target critical minerals, rare earth elements, batteries, advanced energy technologies, and industrial emissions. IIJA provisions for hydrogen and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) can also be pertinent.

See Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: Summary of Industrial/Manufacturing, CCUS, and Hydrogen Provisions

Also see NASEO State Industrial/Manufacturing Working Group - includes selected IIJA/BIL and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provisions and announcements.

Staff Contact: Rodney Sobin (rsobin@naseo.org) 

 

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Announces Funding Opportunity for Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs 

On September 22, 2022, DOE opened applications for the $7 billion program (H2Hubs) designed to create regional clean hydrogen hubs across the United States. The funding will come from the Infrastructure, Investment, and Jobs Act (IIJA) and six to ten hubs will be selected. Project applications are required to include a Community Benefits Plan. Concept papers were due by November 7, 2022, and full applications are due by April 7, 2023. 

• NASEO Summary: Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs FOA
• NASEO map tracking applications 

U.S. Department of Energy Announces Funding Opportunity in Support of Hydrogen Shot Initiative

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO) issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement to provide approximately $47 million to research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) activities to help reduce the cost of clean hydrogen technologies. The funding aims to support progress towards DOE's Hydrogen Shot goal of lowering the cost of clean hydrogen to $1 per kilogram by 2030. The RD&D projects funded will focus on technologies critical to hydrogen delivery and storage, as well as more affordable and long-lasting fuel cell technologies, particularly for heavy-duty truck applications. DOE plans to distribute the funding through cooperative agreements over two to four years and is encouraging applications from teams representing a diverse range of stakeholders, including states, academia, industry, labor unions, and minority-serving institutions. Full applications are due by April 28, 2023.

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Releases Draft Guidance for Clean Hydrogen Production Standard 

On September 22, 2022, DOE released the draft guidance for a Clean Hydrogen Production Standard (CHPS). CHPS will establish a target of 4.0 kgCO2e/kgH2 for lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions associated with hydrogen production and will account for multiple requirements within the Infrastructure, Investment, and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Releases Draft National Clean Hydrogen Roadmap and Strategy

On September 22, 2022, DOE released a draft of the National Clean Hydrogen Roadmap and Strategy as set forth in IIJA section 40313. The roadmap outlines hydrogen production, transport, storage, and use in the United States and pathways for accelerating clean hydrogen development. 

DOE Webinar on Hydrogen Provisions in IIJA

The U.S. Department of Energy’s December H2IQ Hour on December 8, 2021, provided examples of the Department’s hydrogen activities that will support the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law). To access a recording and the presentation, please click here. 

NASEO Resources on Hydrogen

NASEO provides State Energy Offices with information on hydrogen opportunities and potential policy, program, and regulatory options as states develop energy, environmental, and economic development plans. 

NASEO Report: Hydrogen: Critical Decarbonization Element for the Grid, Manufacturing, and Transportation 

Hydrogen offers potential pathways for decarbonizing the electricity system, hard-to-electrify industrial and heating applications, and heavy transportation. This NASEO report provides an overview of hydrogen types, production, and uses, including large-scale and long-duration energy storage to balance variable power generation and demand, and energy and material input for ammonia, steel, fuels, and other production. As research, development, and demonstration (RD&D), environmental policies, economies of scale and scope, economic development programs, and other measures will affect hydrogen’s path, the report outlines potential policy and planning considerations for State Energy Offices. These include supportive policy, program, and regulatory measures, in developing state energy, environmental, and economic development plans. 

See Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: Summary of Industrial/Manufacturing, CCUS, and Hydrogen Provisions

Staff Contact: Kirsten Verclas (kverclas@naseo.org) , Kelsey Jones (kjones@naseo.org), Grace Lowe (glowe@naseo.org)

Resources on CCUS

NASEO facilitates state collaboration and sharing of best practices on all matters pertaining to carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) options and opportunities, including supportive policy and regulatory measures.

NASEO Report: Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage: Overview and Considerations for State Planning

Increasingly urgent concerns about climate impacts from carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases (GHG) are prompting a growing number of states, localities, and private companies to enact policies and establish targets to reduce emissions. Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) offers an important approach to reduce emissions from energy and industrial facilities and can, at times, provide additional economic value when recovered CO2 is used in production processes or incorporated into useful materials and products. This report outlines state energy planning and policy considerations to support CCUS and includes an overview of CO2 source sectors, CCUS activities, CO2 capture technologies and potential utilization of CO2.

NASEO Workshop: The Future of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS): Technology and Policy Considerations 

• The Future of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) - Day 1- Technology Considerations - YouTube
• The Future of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) - Day 2- Policy Considerations - YouTube

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.

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.

DOE RFI on Deployment-Ready Carbon Reduction and Removal Technologies, Including Environment Justice, Engagement, and Workforce

The U.S. Department of Energy issued a Request-for-Information on demonstration-ready technologies that reduce carbon emissions and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Relevant technologies include direct air capture, point source carbon capture, geologic storage, carbon dioxide infrastructure, carbon conversion processes, and beyond. The RFI seeks input from states, public agencies, industry, technology providers, academia, research laboratories, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and potentially affected communities, including environmental justice, Tribal, energy transition, and others. Importantly, the RFI seeks input on environmental justice, community engagement, and workforce development related to CCUS projects and technologies.

See Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: Summary of Industrial/Manufacturing, CCUS, and Hydrogen Provisions

Staff Contact: Kirsten Verclas (kverclas@naseo.org) and Kelsey Jones (kjones@naseo.org)  

Buy America

“Buy America” refers to a suite of statutes and regulations requiring that certain goods purchased with federal funds be manufactured primarily in the United States. The IIJA expanded Buy America requirements to cover projects beyond the transportation and water infrastructure projects to which they traditionally apply, including transmission and electric facilities, broadband infrastructure, and real property.

Resources for NASEO members interested in learning more about Buy America:

• Congressional Research Service briefing report: “Congress Expands Buy America Requirements in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act”
• Office of Management and Budget April 2022 memo: “Memorandum for Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies”" providing “Initial Implementation Guidance on Application of Buy America Preference in Federal Financial Assistance Programs for Infrastructure”
•  Recording of April 2022 Virtual Discussion on “Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Procurement Considerations and Questions”
• Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Notice 2023-38 on "Domestic Content Bonus Credit Guidance Under Sections 45, 45Y, 48, and 48E" describing certain rules regarding the domestic content bonus credit requirements and related recordkeeping and certification requirements under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)

Davis-Bacon and Prevailing Wage

The Davis-Bacon and Related Acts requires contractors and subcontractors on federal-funded or -assisted projects to pay laborers and mechanics no less than the locally prevailing wages and fringe benefits for corresponding work in the area. For many projects supported by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, State Energy Offices will need to track and managing compliance with Davis-Bacon rules. 

Resources for State and Territory Energy Offices interested in learning more about Davis-Bacon:

• Recording of July 2022 Virtual Discussion on "Davis Bacon and Prevailing Wage Considerations for Infrastructure Implementation"  and Adam Strong's presentation slides

Summary: The IIJA will provide $6 billion to certified nuclear reactors under the Civil Nuclear Credit Program. The program aims to support nuclear reactors that are projected to cease operations due to economic factors. The IIJA also includes an Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, with funding for two large demonstrations for advanced nuclear reactors. Advanced nuclear technologies are also eligible under the new Clean Energy Demonstration Program on Current and Former Mine Land. The IIJA also requires the U.S. Department of Energy to develop a report on how micro-reactors and small nuclear reactors could enhance energy resilience and reduce carbon emissions. For additional resources, visit the NASEO nuclear energy page here. 

Staff Contact: Kelsey Jones (kjones@naseo.org)

 

Coming soon