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Dear Energy Community Supporter,
Happy New Year! The Energy Communities IWG is looking forward to another year of supporting energy communities and workers. Read on for important announcements and resources that were released in the past month.
One Webinar Left in the Technical Assistance for Energy Communities Webinar Series
The Energy Communities IWG’s three-part webinar series highlighting federal and non-federal technical assistance opportunities to benefit energy communities is soon coming to an end. Our third and final webinar will take place next Tuesday, January 24, 2023, from 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET.
Join us to hear from the Just Transition Fund and the Rural Community Assistance Partnership. Attendees will also learn about how to access various types of funding and resources on energycommunities.gov.
New Funding Opportunities & Announcements
- Secretary Haaland Establishes Orphaned Wells Program Office to Implement Historic Investments from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
This office will focus on ensuring effective, accountable and efficient implementation of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments in orphaned well clean up. - U.S. Department of Energy‘s Clean Energy Demonstration on Mine Land Technical Assistance
Learn more about this no-cost technical assistance opportunity supports the development of clean energy projects on mine lands. - U.S. Department of the Interior Announces $9.9 Million to Revitalize Coal Communities in Colorado
This funding will enable the state to remediate abandoned mines that are leaking methane – a key contributor to climate change. - U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $3 Million to Grow Skilled Healthcare Workforce in Southwestern Wyoming
This Assistance to Coal Communities Initiative grant will help diversify the economy by boosting the region’s healthcare workforce. - U.S. Department of Agriculture Announces $300 Million in Rural Energy for American Program Funds
This program will support the expansion of renewable energy and energy-efficiency projects for people living in rural America. - U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Awards for Rural Surface Transportation Program
Twelve projects, including one in West Virginia, received a total of $273.9 million to increase connectivity, improve safety, and support economic growth. - U.S. Department of Transportation Announces $1.5 Billion Available through the 2023 RAISE Grant Program
The RAISE Program helps communities build transportation projects that have significant local or regional impact and improve safety and equity.
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 the Treasury Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund Applications Due January 23
- U.S. Department of Energy Clean Energy Technology Deployment on Tribal Lands Applications Due February 9
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity Applications Due February 10
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Technical Assistance to Brownfields Communities Applications Due February 14
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency FY23 Guidelines for Brownfields Training, Research, and Technical Assistance Grant Applications Due February 14
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) Grant Program for Political Subdivisions of States and Territories Applications Due February 15
Events & Additional Resources
- Updated IWG Clearinghouse Video
We updated our clearinghouse demonstration video to provide more relevant details and information for energy communities. - BRECC National Network’s First Virtual Convening
January 26, 3:00 pm EST
Session designed to help your coal community plan for a more resilient local economy.
- Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Guidebook
This guidebook provides an overview of the clean energy, climate mitigation and resilience, agriculture, and conservation-related tax incentives and investment programs in the IRA. - Making Our Homes More Efficient: Clean Energy Tax Credits for Consumers
This new resource from the U.S. Department of Energy helps families, homeowners and consumers better understand the savings and tax credits available through the Inflation Reduction Act. - FY2023 Discretionary Grant Preparation Checklist for Prospective Applicants
This checklist was created by the U.S. Department of Transportation to help local governments chart a strategic pathway to take advantage of historic infrastructure investments. - Industrial Demonstrations Program Notice of Intent Informational Webinar
January 24, 1:00-2:00 p.m. EST
Register to attend this virtual informational webinar on the U.S. Department of Energy’s Notice of Intent to issue up to $6.3 billion for transformative industrial decarbonization demonstration projects.
Success Story
The Pocahontas Mine in southwest Virginia produced more than 44 million tons of coal between 1882 and 1955. Coal from the mine was used across the country and had an international impact, fueling U.S. Navy ships in two world wars.
The mine opened as tourist attraction in 1938, but in more recent years, keeping the historic site open became a challenge due to lack of funding.
In 2018, the Town of Pocahontas received a $1.5 million grant from the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy Abandoned Mine Land Program for renovations. The Pocahontas Exhibition Mine closed for two years to make safety improvements, install kiosks with information for tourists, mount new lighting and electrical in the museum, and turn an old bath house into a restaurant.
These improvements are expected to create new jobs and boost the local economy through tourism.
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