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The Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities and Economic Revitalization (Energy Communities IWG) is pursuing a whole-of-government approach to create good-paying union jobs, spur economic revitalization, remediate environmental degradation, and support energy workers in coal, oil and gas, and power plant communities across the country.
Recent Events
- Federal Funding Driving Manufacturing and Economic Development in Energy Communities Webinar
Watch the recording and access presentation slides from the Energy Communities IWG’s webinar focused on funding programs within the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) relevant to clean energy manufacturing and economic development. Hear Secretary Granholm’s keynote remarks summarizing President Biden’s Industrial Strategy and learn about funding opportunities from various DOE offices.
- § 48C Regional Events
The Energy Communities IWG and the Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) hosted three regional events—in Golden, Colorado, Charleston, West Virginia, and Evansville, Indiana—focused on the Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Credit (§ 48C) program. Resources from the events, including fact sheets, contact cards, and QR codes, are now available.
New Funding Opportunities & Announcements
- Biden-Harris Administration Announces $4 Billion in Tax Credits to Build Clean Energy Supply Chain, Drive Investments, and Lower Costs in Energy Communities
DOE, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and the Internal Revenue Service announced $4 billion in § 48C tax credits for more than 100 projects across 35 states to accelerate domestic clean energy manufacturing and reduce greenhouse gas emissions at industrial facilities. Projects in energy communities received $1.5 billion of the total.
- DOE Announces $18 Million Towards Clean Energy and Economic Development in 30 Historically Disadvantaged Communities
Thirty selected disadvantaged communities and those with historical ties to fossil fuel industries will receive a total of $18 million worth of technical assistance through the Communities Local Energy Action Program (Communities LEAP) to create tailored community-wide action plans that reduce local air pollution, increase energy resilience, lower utility costs and energy burdens, and create good-paying jobs.
- Biden-Harris Administration Announces $62 Million to Lower Battery Recycling Costs Across the Nation
DOE announced $62 million for 17 projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to increase consumer participation in consumer electronics battery recycling and grow and secure America’s battery supply chain.
- Biden-Harris Administration Invests $22 Million to Improve Siting and Permitting for Large-Scale Renewable Energy and Energy Storage
DOE announced up to $22 million to improve planning, siting, and permitting processes for large-scale renewable energy facilities. Six state-based projects will receive $10 million through the Renewable Energy Siting Through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP) program. DOE also announced its intent to open a second round of the program with up to $12 million in funding.
- Biden-Harris Administration Announces $20 Billion in Grants to Mobilize Private Capital and Deliver Clean Energy and Climate Solutions to Communities Across America
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced its selections for $20 billion in grant awards under two competitions within the historic $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF).
- Biden-Harris Administration Announces Nearly $23 Million to Address Legacy Pollution and Revitalize Coal Communities in Virginia
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement announced $22.8 million in fiscal year 2023 funding to address abandoned coal mines; create good-paying, family-sustaining jobs; and expand economic opportunity in Virginia.
- Biden-Harris Administration Announces More Than $244 Million to Address Legacy Pollution, Revitalize Communities in Pennsylvania
DOI announced more than $244 million in fiscal year 2023 funding to address dangerous and polluting abandoned mine lands in coal communities across Pennsylvania. This is the largest annual state allocation under the Abandoned Mine Land Program through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
- U.S. Department of the Treasury Now Accepting Applications for New Investing in America Small Business Opportunity Program
The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the opening of the 60-day application window for the Investing in America Small Business Opportunity Program (SBOP)—a U.S. Treasury competitive grant program funded by the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). Through the SBOP, eligible states, territories, and Tribal governments can compete for a share of $75 million in grant funding.
Upcoming Funding Deadlines
The following funding opportunities and technical assistance programs have application deadlines coming up in the next four weeks and can all be found in the Energy Communities IWG’s online clearinghouse. To learn more about how to navigate the clearinghouse, click here.
U.S. Department of Energy
- Capacity Building for Repurposing Energy Assets – Expanded Due April 18
- BIL FY23 BIL Electric Drive Vehicle Battery Recycling and Second Life Applications Due April 19
- Industrial Assessment Center (IAC) Operations: Technical Assistance Field Managers and Clearinghouse/Mission Integrator Due April 23
- Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity (RMUC) Advanced Cybersecurity Technology (ACT) Due April 24
- Strategies to Increase Hydropower Flexibility Due April 25
- DOE Heat Pump Defense Production Act Program – Round 2 Due April 29
- Carbon Management – Round 5 Due April 29
- Clean Energy to Communities Program: Peer-Learning Cohorts Due April 30
- Clean Energy and Manufacturing Workforce Training and Technical Assistance Awards (IAC Program) Due May 16
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Building Communities of Recovery Due April 29
- Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – Impact Due May 6
U.S. Department of Transportation
U.S. Department of Labor
Events & Additional Resources
- Energy Communities: Institutional Investment Opportunities in America’s Energy Transition
April 29, 2024, 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. ET
Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Auditorium, New York, NY
This Energy Communities IWG-hosted event will convene leaders in the financial sector to discuss the opportunities for private sector investment that can result in good-paying jobs, economic growth, and supply chain resiliency in energy communities across the United States. A livestream of the event will be available. - Southern Illinois IWG Funding Panel
May 14–15, 2024, Time TBD
Shawnee College Campus, Metropolis, IL - Central Illinois IWG Funding Panel
May 21, 2024, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. CT
Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL - Southern Illinois IWG Funding Panel
Oct. 22–23, 2024, Time TBD
University of Illinois Extension Center, Carmi, IL - Coal-to-X Fact Sheets
Access the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s latest fact sheets that summarize key considerations for repurposing retired coal power plants to new uses. Relevant stakeholders, including developers, communities, local governments, nonprofits, and utilities, can use these fact sheets as informational resources.
On behalf of all Energy Communities 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
To learn more about funding opportunities, visit the Energy Communities IWG Clearinghouse.
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