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Dear Energy Community Supporter,
Technical Assistance for Energy Communities Webinar Series
Many energy communities need help identifying, applying, and managing financial assistance that could diversify and revitalize their economies. These communities often also struggle to coordinate with other organizations in their region to pursue larger opportunities that typically involve collaborative applications. In these instances, technical assistance (TA) can begin to fill the gaps.
The Energy Communities IWG is hosting a three-part webinar series highlighting federal and non-federal technical assistance opportunities to benefit energy communities.
The webinars will take place on:
- Webinar #1 (Federal): January 10, 2023, 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
- Webinar #2 (Federal): January 17, 2023, 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
- Webinar #3 (Non-Federal): January 24, 2023, 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
New Funding Opportunities & Announcements
- Apply Now for Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities (BRECC) Opportunities
Applications are now open for the BRECC initiative’s competitive opportunities to receive technical assistance, connect with peers and advance economic diversification projects.
- U.S. Department of Energy Announces Notice of Intent for Advanced Energy Manufacturing & Recycling Grant Program
This program will support small and medium-sized manufacturers to produce or recycle clean energy property in communities where coal mines or coal power plants have closed.
- U.S. Department of Energy Announces $1.2 Billion for Regional Direct Air Capture Hubs
This funding will support the creation of four regional direct air capture hubs to help build a commercially viable, just, and sustainable carbon management value chain and carbon dioxide removal industry.
- U.S. Department of Energy Intends to Fund Carbon Utilization Procurement Grants Program
The first issuance of this program will provide grants up to $100 million for states, local governments, and public utilities.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Announces Grants for Water Systems in Rural and Small Communities
$25.7 million is available for organizations to provide technical assistance and training to support small drinking water and wastewater systems in rural communities.
- U.S. Department of the Interior Announces Additional Abandoned Mine Lands Investments
The Department awarded $2.3 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Alaska and Texas.
- Opportunity to Challenge the FCC’s Broadband Availability Maps
By challenging the maps, citizens can ensure broadband is accurately described and funding is invested through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law accordingly.
- U.S. Department of the Interior Makes $50 Million Available to Clean Up Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells on Tribal Lands
The Department announced final guidance for Tribes on how to apply for the grant funding available under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Announces New Brownfields Technical Assistance Opportunities
Two new opportunities totaling $57 million are available to support community-driven planning for Brownfields assessment, cleanup and reuse.
Upcoming Funding Deadlines
The following funding opportunities have application deadlines coming up in the next four weeks and can all be found in the IWG’s online clearinghouse.
- U.S. Department of Labor Nursing Expansion Grant Program Applications Due January 6
- U.S. Department of Transportation 2023 Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund Applications Due January 15
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Advanced Nursing Education Workforce Applications Due January 20
- U.S. Department of Energy 2023 Scholars Program Applications Due January 23
Events & Additional Resources
- Sign up to receive emails from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC)
MESC is responsible for strengthening and securing manufacturing and energy supply chains needed to modernize the nation’s energy infrastructure.
- Rural Partners Network (RPN) is hiring!
RPN has open positions in the following states: Alaska, Georgia Kentucky, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina and Wisconsin. Apply by December 23, 2022.
- Updated Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) State Fact Sheets
Check out your state fact sheet for detailed information about announced BIL funding and projects in each state, along with anticipated funding over the next 5 years.
Success Story
The tristate region of Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia is experiencing a new wave of economic activity as the region transitions away from coal and toward alternative energy industries. To meet the demand for a properly trained workforce in those industries, the Tristate Energy and Advanced Manufacturing (TEAM) Consortium was formed.
TEAM brings together partners from industry, higher education, workforce and economic development to build clear and accessible pathways to energy and manufacturing jobs in the region. Within two years of its creation, nine community colleges across the three-state footprint agreed to common curricula for a wide array of courses and training programs.
In 2018, TEAM received an Appalachian Regional Commission POWER Initiative grant to create accessible education and career pathways through training programs, many used in community colleges.
To date, the project has served more than 3,100 students and 8,200 worker trainees, 600 jobs have been created and 120 participating businesses have been improved.
On behalf of all IWG member agencies, thank you for your continued interest in programs that support people living and working in America’s energy communities. Please feel free to share this newsletter with others in your network who may benefit.
Best regards,
Brian J. Anderson, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities and Economic Revitalization
Director, National Energy Technology Laboratory
U.S. Department of Energy