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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
Last month, the Energy Communities IWG wrapped up its two-part webinar series exploring the historic investments in the Inflation Reduction Act that benefit America’s energy communities. “What the Inflation Reduction Act Means for Energy Communities” featured senior Biden-Harris Administration officials discussing multiple programs and tax credits relevant to energy communities, including the Energy Infrastructure Reinvestment Program, Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, Rural Energy for America Program and many more.
If you missed one or both webinars, watch the recordings and access resources here.
Rural Partners Network Eastern Kentucky Community Forum
Public, private and nonprofit partners came together last week to connect Eastern Kentucky counties with new federal funding opportunities available through the American Rescue Plan Act, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the Inflation Reduction Act that can build economic prosperity and support fossil energy workers in Appalachia Kentucky.
Hosted by the Rural Partners Network, the federal convening featured federal officials representing the Energy Communities IWG, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development and Appalachian Regional Commission.
New Funding Opportunities & Announcements
- U.S. Department of Agriculture Makes Available $11 Billion to Expand Clean Energy in Rural Communities
The new Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program supports rural electric cooperatives to invest in renewable energy systems, zero-emission systems and carbon capture systems. The Powering Affordable Clean Energy program supports all types of entities in building or purchasing clean energy to resell into rural communities. - U.S. Department of Energy Announces $50 Million to Boost Clean Energy Solution in Rural America
Designed to recognize and address the distinct energy challenges faced by rural communities, this Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations funding aims to increase energy affordability and promote climate resilience in areas with fewer than 10,000 people. - Appalachian Regional Commission Awards $500K to Appalachian Kentucky Area Development Districts
This funding is part of ARC’s recently launched community-capacity building initiative, READY LDD, which helps Appalachia’s local development districts hire staff and build local capacity to best utilize the federal funding.
- Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement Awards $4.6 Million To Revitalize Coal Communities in Montana
This Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grant will create good-paying union jobs and catalyze economic opportunity by reclaiming abandoned mine lands in Montana. - U.S. Department of Commerce Announces More Than $5.8 Million in Internet for All Grants to Tribal Lands
Funded through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, these Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grants will help upgrade network equipment, improve internet infrastructure and reduce monthly internet service costs for tribal communities. - U.S. Department of Agriculture Makes Available $20 Million To Expand Broadband to Rural Communities
The Broadband Technical Assistance Program supports projects such as conducting feasibility studies, completing network designs and developing broadband financial assistance applications.
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.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. Department of Commerce
U.S. Department of Energy
- Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) – FY22 and FY23 Applications Due May 19
- Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project Community Technical Assistance Applications Due May 19
- Carbon Capture Demonstration Projects Program Applications Due May 23
- Increasing Utilization and Reliability of Electric Infrastructure with Grid-Enhancing Technologies (GETs) Applications Due May 23
- Technical Assistance for the Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grant Program Applications Due May 26
- State Manufacturing Leadership Program Applications Due May 30
- Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies (AFFECT) BIL Advancing Net-Zero Federal Facilities Applications Due May 31
- Civil Nuclear Credit Program — Second Round Applications Due May 31
- Small Innovative Projects in Solar: Concentrating Solar Power and Photovoltaic Applications Due June 1
- Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grant Program Applications Due June 8
- Enhanced Geothermal Systems Pilot Demonstrations Applications Due June 16
- FY 2023 Conversion Research and Development FOA Applications Due June 16
U.S. Department of Labor
- Workforce Pathways for Youth Applications Due May 19
- Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Dislocated Worker Program: Program Year 2023 Allotments Applications Due May 22
- WIOA Adult Program: Program Year 2023 Allotments Applications Due May 22
- WIOA Youth Program: Program Year 2023 Allotments Applications Due May 22
- FY23 Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) Technical Assistance Grant Program Applications Due May 29
- Mine Health and Safety Grants FY 2023 Applications Due June 12
- Workforce Opportunities for Rural Communities (WORC) Round 5: A Grant Initiative for the Appalachian, Delta, and Northern Border Regions Applications Due June 13
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Delta Health Systems Implementation Program Applications Due May 18
- Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Improvement and Advancement Grant Applications Due May 22
- Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Planning, Development, and Implementation Grant Applications Due May 22
- Health Careers Opportunity Program: The National HCOP Academies Applications Due May 24
- Rural Health Care Coordination Program Applications Due May 26
- Treatment, Recovery, and Workforce Support Grant Applications Due May 30
- Recovery Community Services Program — Statewide Network Applications Due May 30
- Strengthening Public Health Systems and Services in Indian Country Applications Due June 6
U.S. Department of Transportation
- FY 2023 Emergency Relief Grants for Public Transportation Systems Affected by Major Declared Disasters in Calendar Years 2017, 2020, 2021, and 2022 Applications Due May 26
- Regional Infrastructure Accelerator Program Applications Due May 30
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program Applications Due May 31
- Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) Grants for States and Territories Applications Due May 31
- FY 2023 – FY 2024 Pollution Prevention Grants: Environmental Justice in Communities Applications Due June 6
- Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Applications Due June 15
Events & Additional Resources
- U.S. Economic Development Administration Updates Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
The newly released language contains recommendations focused on climate resilience, equity, workforce development and broadband. - Overview of Funding Available Through USDA Rural Utilities Service for Inflation Reduction Act Webinar
Wednesday, May 17, 2:30-3:30 p.m. EDT
Join speakers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a webinar to learn more about the two new funding opportunities for clean energy. More webinars will be held in May and June. - Webinar on Identifying Discretionary Grant Opportunities
Monday, May 22, 4-5 p.m. EDT
Join speakers from the U.S. Department of Transportation for a webinar to learn more about how to identify and respond to federal transportation grant opportunities. - Rural Partners Network Resource Partners Forum
Tuesday, May 23, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. EDT
Clay Center – 1 Clay Square, Charleston, West Virginia, 25301
You’re invited to join federal partners, and other community network stakeholders to build connections, address challenges with federal funding and create new opportunities for potential federal investment in West Virginia.
- Brownfield Grant-Writing Training Webinar Series: It’s Never Too Early to Start! – Webinar #6
Thursday, May 25, 1:30-3:30 p.m. CDT
This series is designed to determine your readiness for an EPA Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, or Cleanup Grant followed by guidance to prepare you for the next competition. - BRECC National Network | Crafted by Communities: A Framework for Economic Transition
Thursday, May 25, 3-4 p.m. EDT
This session will present three pillars for coal community revitalization and share resources from the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. - Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) Program Webinar
Tuesday, May 30, 2 p.m. EDT
Join the U.S. Department of Energy for a webinar that will provide an overview of the ERA grant program, including information on eligibility, application process and funding requirements. - 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.
![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.
- White House Fact Sheet on Environmental Justice Executive Order
Revitalizing our Nation’s Commitment to Environmental Justice for All will further embed environmental justice into the work of federal agencies to achieve real, measurable progress that communities can count on.
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