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Dear Energy Community Supporter,
Federal agencies are working overtime to implement funding opportunities and provide energy communities with the resources they need to successfully apply for federal grants and technical assistance. With an abundance of upcoming events and funding deadlines, make sure to read through this entire Energy Communities IWG Director’s Update.
And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Inflation Reduction Act Webinar Series Resources Available
The U.S. Department of Treasury yesterday announced final guidance and a new eligibility map for its Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Tax Credit program (48C). This program allocates $10 billion in credits, $4 billion of which may only be allocated to projects located in certain energy communities census tracts.
New Funding Opportunities & Announcements
- U.S. Department of Energy Loan Programs Office Releases Updated Guidance on Title 17 Clean Energy Financing
Several programs are available to finance projects that support clean energy deployment and energy infrastructure reinvestment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. - U.S. Department of Energy Announces $34 Million to Deploy Clean Energy Technologies in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities
This funding will strengthen tribal communities by supercharging their access to solar power and microgrids, increasing energy security and resilience, and powering unelectrified tribal buildings. - U.S. Department of Agriculture to Bring New Jobs and Improved Infrastructure to Rural Partners Network Communities
The $394 million grant announcement will benefit Rural Partners Network communities and support their long-term visions for strong, local economies. - U.S. Department of Agriculture Invests $11 Billion to Advance Clean Energy Across Rural America
This funding is available through the Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program and the Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) program.
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 IWG’s online clearinghouse.
Appalachian Regional Commission
U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Rural Housing Preservation Grant Applications Due June 5
- Rural Decentralized Water System Grant Program Applications Due June 10
- Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant Application Due June 15
- Broadband Technical Assistance Applications Due June 20
- Community Connect Grant Program Applications Due June 20
- Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant Program Applications Due June 30
- Intermediary Relending Program Applications Due June 30
U.S. Department of Commerce
U.S. Department of Energy
- Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grant Program Applications Due June 8
- Enhanced Geothermal Systems Pilot Demonstrations Applications Due June 16
- Hydroelectric Efficiency Improvement Incentives Applications Due June 20
- Carbon Capture Large-Scale Pilot Projects Applications Due June 21
- Science Foundations for Energy Earthshots Applications Due June 21
- FY 2023 Conversion Research and Development FOA Applications Due June 23
- Domestic Near Net Shape Manufacturing to Enable a Clean and Competitive Economy Applications Due June 23
- Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office FY23 Multi-topic FOA Applications Due June 23
- Energy Improvement in Rural or Remote Areas Applications Due June 28
- Cybersecurity Research, Development, And Demonstration FOA (FY22) Applications Due June 30
U.S. Department of Labor
- Mine Health and Safety Grants FY 2023 Applications Due June 12
- Workforce Opportunities for Rural Communities (WORC) Round 5 Applications Due June 13
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Strengthening Public Health Systems and Services in Indian Country Applications Due June 6
- Implementing and Evaluating New Models for Delivering Comprehensive, Coordinated, Person-Centered Care to People with Long COVID Applications Due June 13
- Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – Rural Centers of Excellence on Substance Use Disorder Applications Due June 20
- Addressing Conditions to Improve Population Health (ACTion) Applications Due June 30
- Advancing Equity in Child Support Applications Due June 30
U.S. Department of Transportation
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Events & Additional Resources
- Midwestern Governors Association Quarterly Energy Transition Community Meeting
Tuesday, June 13, 1 p.m. CDT
This webinar is an opportunity to get an update on the energy transition from a number of perspectives including the Energy Communities IWG, Just Transition Fund, Prairie Rivers Network, and several initiatives in Midwestern states. Open to all interested. - Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Pre-Application Webinar
Check out the Appalachian Regional Commission’s webinar reviewing the opportunity, sharing lessons learned from past grantees, and answering questions ahead of the June 13 application deadline. - Wyoming Federal Funding Summit
Monday, June 12 – Thursday, June 15
Sheridan College, Sheridan, Wyoming, 82801
Free professional grant writing and management training and tips on how to find, apply and secure federal funding. Presentations on federal resources will be provided.
![Final, final WY FF Summit update[2]](https://energycommunities.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Final-final-WY-FF-Summit-update2.png "Final, final WY FF Summit update[2]")
- NEPA Considerations for Siting Clean Energy on Mine Land
Wednesday, June 14, 1-2 p.m. EDT
The webinar will cover the key provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the process for complying with NEPA in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. - Minnesota Energy Transition Summit
Monday, June 26, 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CDT
Join the Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development’s Office of Energy Transition for the Minnesota Energy Transition Summit. This event is targeted for impacted communities that have impacted facilities as defined in Minnesota State Statute 116J.5491.
- Illinois Coal Basin Rapid Response Team Regional Convening – Illinois
Tuesday, June 27 – Wednesday, June 28
Effingham, IL
This two-day event will feature multiple panels and workshops sharing information on critical funding opportunities for energy communities in the Illinois Basin. - Illinois Coal Basin Rapid Response Team Regional Convening – Indiana
Wednesday, July 12
Vincennes University, Jasper, IN
More details to come! - Potential Environmental Liability Associated with Developing Clean Energy on Mine Land Webinar
Wednesday, July 12, 1-2 p.m. EDT
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations is partnering with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to present a webinar on RE-Powering America’s Lands and liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
Success Story
The Pennsylvania Energy Programs Office (EPO), which serves as the State Energy Office for the Commonwealth, in 2021 published its first comprehensive Clean Energy Program (CEP) Plan. This plan identifies opportunities and strategies for EPO to support the achievement of Pennsylvania’s ambitious climate and clean energy goals while cultivating economic diversification and growth along the way.
The development of this plan was partially funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s State Energy Program. This program provides funding and technical assistance to states, territories, and the District of Columbia to enhance energy security, advance state-led energy initiatives, and increase energy affordability.
Pennsylvania’s CEP plan summarizes the Commonwealth’s energy policies and EPO programs, recommends new actions to take over the next one to three years, and explores various methods for anticipating future energy trends and mitigating disruptions. The principles laid out in the CEP plan align with the Energy Communities IWG’s commitment to bringing good-paying jobs to economically disadvantaged communities across the country, including energy communities.
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