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Dear Energy Community Supporter,
Thank you for your continued interest in the Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities and Economic Revitalization (Energy Communities IWG) Director’s Updates. In addition to funding updates and deadlines, this edition features several upcoming webinars and workshops that delve into critical investments — read on.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn for real-time news and updates.
Upcoming Webinar Series on New Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Program
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains is hosting a series of webinars to share more information on its newly announced Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grant Program. The series is taking place:
Monday, Feb. 21, 11 a.m. – Focus on Illinois Basin Region
Tuesday, Feb. 21, 4 p.m. – Focus on the Intermountain West Region
Wednesday, Feb. 22, 11 a.m. – Focus on Appalachia
New Funding Opportunities & Announcements
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Announces Initial Program Design of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
The Inflation Reduction Act program puts public and private capital to work in communities combatting climate change, creating economic prosperity for all.
- U.S. Department of Treasury Releases Guidance on New Inflation Reduction Act Tax Credit
The Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Credit program (48C) provides $10 billion in tax credits to qualifying investments in clean energy technology manufacturing and recycling; industrial greenhouse gas emissions reductions; or critical minerals processing, refining, and recycling. - U.S. Department of Treasury Releases Guidance on Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program
This Inflation Reduction Act program provides up to a 20 percentage point boost to the investment tax credit for small-scale (less than five megawatts) solar and wind energy projects in Low-Income communities, in Indian Land, that are part of federally subsidized residential buildings, or in which at least 50 percent of the financial benefits of the electricity go to low-income households.
- U.S. Department of Energy Announces Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grant Program
The program supports small- and medium-sized manufacturing firms located in communities with closed coal mines or retired coal-fired power plants with projects intended to produce or recycle advanced energy products. - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Seeks Input on Environmental and Climate Justice Program
This Request for Information (RFI) seeks public input on new and innovative strategies and approaches for competition design, community engagement, equitable distribution of financial resources, grantee eligibility for funding, capacity-building and outreach, and technical assistance. The deadline to provide input is March 17, 2023.
- U.S. Department of the Interior Releases Draft Guidance for $500 Million in Orphaned Oil and Gas Well Clean-Up Funding
States should refer to the draft guidance before applying to this Bipartisan Infrastructure formula grant funding.
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.
Events & Additional Resources
- Appalachian Regional Commission POWER 2023 Pre-Application Virtual Workshop
Feb. 21, 2-3:30 p.m.
This workshop will provide applicants the opportunity to better understand the POWER Initiative and what makes a well-rounded application. - U.S. Department of Agriculture Broadband Technical Assistance for Rural Communities Listening Session
Feb. 23, 11 a.m. MDT
The goal of this listening session is to solicit valuable insight into the challenges communities face in gaining broadband access, the types of technical assistance resources that would best serve these communities, and how the Rural Utilities Service can best provide support. - Appalachian Regional Commission In-Person Workshops Across Appalachia
Feb. 23, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Belden, Mississippi
Feb. 28, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Knoxville, Tennessee
March 2, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaJoin ARC for “Getting the Grant: Successfully Applying for ARC Funding Opportunities,” an in-person workshop series designed to help prospective applicants prepare to submit applications for ARC’s 2023 funding opportunities: ARISE, INSPIRE, and POWER.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture Broadband Technical Assistance Providers Listening Session
Feb. 28, 11 a.m. MDT
The goal of this listening session is to solicit input on the opportunities available to provide technical assistance for rural communities, the barriers to deliver these services, and how the Rural Utilities Service can help providers overcome these barriers. - Appalachian Regional Commission INSPIRE Grant Writing Workshop
March 2, 9 a.m. to noon
Join ARC for a virtual workshop on effective grant writing practices.
Success Story
In the southwestern corner of Virginia, St. Paul, a former coal and railroad community, is shifting its economy toward outdoor recreation and tourism. A cornerstone of this effort is the Clinch River.
The Clinch River is one of the most biodiverse rivers in America. It’s a lesser-known beauty of nature but when tourists visit St. Paul, they can rent kayaks or tubes to take out on the river and rent bikes or walk the various nature trails.
Through Appalachian Regional Commission funding, St. Paul has worked on several projects to revitalize its downtown and nature trails to bring in more tourism. Between improvements to the Western Front Hotel, remodeling the Lyric Theatre, and hiring more rangers and maintenance staff for trail upkeep, St. Paul is becoming a hopping place for nature lovers.
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