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Dear Energy Community Supporter,
With implementation of Inflation Reduction Act programs advancing by the day, opportunities for energy communities are surging. Keeping track of new funding announcements and deadlines can be a daunting task. The Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities and Economic Revitalization (Energy Communities IWG) is pleased to offer resources, such as our newsletters and online clearinghouse tool, to make the process easier for energy communities.
Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn for real-time news and updates, too.
Upcoming Webinar on the Inflation Reduction Act
The Inflation Reduction Act includes historic investments in revitalizing energy communities and advancing the clean energy transition across the country. Join the Energy Communities IWG for a two-part webinar series focused on how the Inflation Reduction Act benefits energy communities and workers. Attendees will hear from senior Administration officials about relevant funding programs that are available now for energy communities.
The first webinar will take place on Monday, March 20 at 2 p.m. EST.
New Funding Opportunities & Announcements
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Makes Available $250 Million from the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program
The program provides flexible planning resources for states, Tribes, territories, and municipalities to develop and implement scalable solutions that protect people from pollution and advance environmental justice. - U.S. Department of Energy Invests $315 Million to Advance Reliable Clean Energy in Rural and Remote Communities
The Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas program aims to improve the resilience, reliability, and affordability of energy systems in communities across the country with 10,000 or fewer people. - U.S. Department of Energy Announces Intent to Issue Clean Energy on Current and Former Mine Land Funding Opportunity
This program will provide up to $450 million to demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of deploying clean energy projects on current and former mine land. - U.S. Economic Development Administration Seeks Input for Recompete Pilot Program
This is an economic development initiative that will provide grant funding to distressed communities across the country to create, and connect workers to, good jobs and support long-term comprehensive economic development. Energy community stakeholders are encouraged to submit comments by March 27. - U.S. Department of Energy Announces $2.5 Billion for Carbon Management Programs
The Carbon Capture Large-Scale Pilots and Carbon Capture Demonstration Projects Program aims to significantly reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from electricity generation and hard-to-abate industrial operations. - U.S. Department of Agriculture Provides $262 Million to Rural Partners Network Communities
This funding will support 68 projects in nine states and Puerto Rico aimed at improving access to jobs, health care and infrastructure in historically underserved communities. - U.S. Department of Energy Announces $50 Million for Tribal Clean Energy Projects
This investment will strengthen Tribal energy sovereignty by bolstering ongoing efforts to lower energy costs, increase energy security and resilience, and provide electric power to unelectrified buildings. - U.S. Departments of Energy and Treasury Announce Historic Investments to Support America’s Energy and Industrial Communities
The investments include the Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Credit program (48C), the Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit program and the Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grant program (40209).
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 Energy FOA To Address Key Deployment Challenges for Offshore, Land-Based, and Distributed Wind Applications Due March 10
- Appalachian Regional Commission READY Appalachia Local Governments Request for Proposal Responses Due March 10
- U.S. Department of Energy Regional Direct Air Capture Hubs Applications Due March 13
- U.S. Department of Energy Community Power Accelerator Prize: Accessing Capital to Deploy Equitable Community Solar Applications Due March 15
- Appalachian Regional Commission INSPIRE Initiative Applications Due March 17
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Environmental and Climate Justice Program Public Input Due March 17
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Integrated Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program Applications Due March 21
- U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Applications Due March 31
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia Applications Due April 4
- Appalachian Regional Commission POWER Initiative Applications Due April 19
Events & Additional Resources
- How to Become a Technical Assistance Provider
Information and resources for organizations looking to provide technical assistance to applicants to help formulate projects, apply for funds, and manage grants and projects. - New Federal Funding Pages on IWG Website
Access webpages to learn more about competitive and state-based federal funding and tax credits available to energy communities. - Rural Data Gateway
Check out the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development’s new easy-to-use online resource that expands access to data on funded projects in rural communities. - Midwestern Governors Association Inflation Reduction Act Webinar
Tuesday, March 14, 2023, noon EST
This webinar will highlight Inflation Reduction Act programs including energy tax credits, the Energy Infrastructure Reinvestment program, grants for rural electric co-ops, and community assistance.
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