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 jobs for energy workers, grow local economies and drive investments in energy communities across the country.
New Resource Available: State Fact Sheets
The Energy Communities IWG is excited to announce the release of six new state fact sheets that showcase energy communities across the nation. These fact sheets provide a summary of various projects, investment data and outreach efforts that have been pivotal in driving each state’s economic growth and energy innovation. Stay tuned for the release of additional fact sheets.
Round 2 § 48C Tax Credit Allocations
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) announced roughly $2.5 billion in allocations for the second round of the Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Tax Credit (§ 48C Program) to energy communities. Approximately 50 projects are in § 48C energy communities, bringing the total allocated to projects in these communities across both rounds to $4 billion.
Check out the list of awardees here.
Coal Power Plant Reinvestment Visualization Tool Updates
Updates to the Coal Power Plant Reinvestment Visualization Tool are now live! This public database and map helps state and local economic development officials, project developers and power plant owners identify and pursue opportunities for plant redevelopment and community reinvestment. The tool displays coal power plants that have been closed or are set to retire, along with key infrastructure characteristics that are relevant for potential redevelopment opportunities.
Award Announcements
- DOE Invests $101 Million to Establish Carbon Capture, Removal, and Conversion Test Centers
DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) announced federal funding for five projects, including one in a Wyoming energy community, to support the development of carbon dioxide (CO2) capture, removal, and conversion test centers for cement manufacturing facilities and power plants.
- DOE Invests $45 Million to Support Regional Consortia Focused on Securing Domestic Critical Minerals and Materials
FECM announced federal funding for six projects, including ones located in energy communities in Wyoming and Alaska, to create regional consortia to accelerate the development of critical minerals and materials supply chains, including novel nonfuel carbon-based products from secondary and unconventional feedstocks.
- S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Announces $75 Million to Address Legacy Pollution, Revitalize Communities in Illinois
Abandoned mine land reclamation supports jobs in coal communities by investing in projects that close mine shafts, reclaim unstable slopes, improve water quality by treating acid mine drainage, and restore water supplies damaged by mining. This funding will prioritize projects in Illinois that employ current and former coal industry employees.
New Investment Opportunities
- Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Seeks Applicants for Projects Supporting Appalachians in Recovery From Substance Use Disorder
ARC issued a notice of solicitation of applications for its Investments Supporting Partnerships in Recovery Ecosystems (INSPIRE) Initiative. INSPIRE supports projects that create or expand support services that help individuals impacted by substance use disorder enter or reenter the workforce.
A preapplication webinar will be held Jan. 28, 2025, at 11 a.m. ET. Letters of Intent are due Feb. 14, 2025. - ARC Seeks Nonprofit Applicants for Capacity-Building Opportunity
ARC issued a notice of solicitation of applications for the second round of READY Nonprofits. This seven-week virtual capacity-building training opportunity is designed for nonprofits serving Appalachia’s 13-state, 423-county region. Upon completion of the training program, eligible participants can apply for up to $25,000 in funding (no match required) from ARC to implement organizational capacity-building projects.
A preapplication webinar will be held Feb. 11, 2025, at 10 a.m. ET. Final applications are due Feb. 28, 2025, at 5 p.m. ET. - S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Announces Energy Communities Technical Assistance Program
EPA is now accepting applications for their technical assistance program. Three energy communities will receive technical assistance to support their economic diversification goals. Applications are due Feb. 28, 2025. - DOE Announces $100 Million for Pilot-Scale Carbon Conversion
This FECM funding will advance the pilot-scale testing of carbon conversion technologies with high technology readiness levels (TRLs) capable of achieving significant carbon mitigation via biological, catalytic or mineralization pathways. Selected projects will perform research in the following four topic areas: pilot-scale biological conversion, pilot-scale catalytic conversion, pilot-scale mineralization, and other testing and life cycle analysis (LCA) development required for commercialization. Applications are due April 11, 2025. - Treasury Releases Final Rules for Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit
Treasury and the IRS released final rules for the § 45V Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit. These changes provide further clarity and increase overall investment certainty. - DOE Issues Notice of Intent for Funding in Strengthening Domestic Critical Materials Processing and Manufacturing to Enhance National Security
DOE released a Notice of Intent for up to $725 million to boost domestic production of battery critical materials, battery components and advanced batteries through a third round of the Battery Materials Processing and Battery Manufacturing funding opportunity. - Delta Regional Authority (DRA) Announces Funding Available for 2025 Community Infrastructure Fund
Funding is now available to address basic public and transportation infrastructure, as well as flood-control issues for communities within DRA’s eight-state service area. Awards will range from $500,000 to $2 million, with grant applications being reviewed on an annual rolling cycle. - DRA Announces $1.5 Million Available for 2025 Strategic Planning Program
This funding will help communities identify and develop strategic plans to address issues such as infrastructure, industry growth, workforce pipelines and small business development for communities within the DRA region. Awards will range from $25,000 to $150,000, with applications being accepted semiannually. - Treasury and IRS Release Final Rules for Technology-Neutral Clean Electricity Credits
Treasury and the IRS released final rules for the Clean Electricity Investment and Production Tax Credits, also known as the technology-neutral credits in tax code § 45Y and § 48E. These credits will cut energy costs for American families and businesses and produce abundant, affordable power to meet growing demands. - Treasury and IRS Release Final Rules to Expand Clean Energy Investments and Lower Costs in Low-Income Communities
Treasury and the IRS released final rules and procedural guidance for the § 48E(h) Clean Electricity Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Amount Program.
Upcoming Investment Deadlines
The following investment opportunities and technical assistance programs have application deadlines coming up in the next several 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
- Home Energy Rebates Due Jan. 31
- Energy Storage Pilot Demonstrations Due Feb. 13
- Title 17 Innovative Energy Loan Guarantee Program: Advanced Fossil Energy Projects Due March 16
U.S. Department of Commerce
U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Rural Business Development Grants Due Feb. 28
- Rural Decentralized Water System Grant Program Due March 3
- Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans & Grants Due March 31
U.S. Department of Transportation
- National Infrastructure Investments (RAISE) Due Jan. 30
- Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Program Due Feb. 24
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Events & Additional Resources
Getting the Grant Workshop: Successfully Applying for ARC Funding Opportunities
Jan. 30, 2025 — Charleston, West Virginia
Feb. 4, 2025 — Cartersville, Georgia
Feb. 6, 2025 — Ithaca, New York
Join ARC staff, state partners and grantees to gain insights into ARC’s updated 2025 application criteria and scoring process and explore best practices for developing and implementing successful projects.
Resources Available from the Energy Community Conversations: Housing in America’s Energy Communities Webinar
Resources from the Energy Communities Conversations: Housing in America’s Energy Communities Webinar are now available. This webinar highlighted community and federal initiatives aimed at enhancing local capacity and showcased innovative partnerships and investments that have led to successful housing developments. You can listen to the recording and access helpful resources to learn how your energy community can address its affordable housing needs.
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 investment opportunities, visit the Energy Communities IWG Clearinghouse.
Check out the Getting Started Guide.
Need Assistance? Contact our Navigator team.
Click here to share your story.