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The Energy Communities IWG is pursuing a whole-of-government approach to create good-paying union jobs, spur economic revitalization, remediate environmental degradation and support energy workers in coal, oil and gas, and power plant communities across the country.
Four Corners Rapid Response Team Community Update
The Energy Communities IWG’s Four Corners Rapid Response Team (4C-RRT) recently hosted a virtual meeting to update stakeholders on accomplishments over the last year and what is on the horizon. Thought leaders from across the Four Corners region also provided updates on new and ongoing initiatives, gaps in regional capacity, and priorities for concerned citizen groups.
View the update here.
New Funding Opportunities & Announcements
- $3.5 Million to Provide Workforce Opportunities in Energy Communities
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management announced up to $3.5 million through its Capacity Building for Repurposing Energy Assets initiative to help local communities across the country create a roadmap toward repurposing existing energy assets.
- Guidance on Inflation Reduction Act Provision
The U.S. Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released proposed rules and FAQs on important provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act to ensure energy jobs are well-paying and that a robust, diverse pipeline of workers take and have access to opportunities created by the act’s investments.
- $350 Million in Grants Available to States to Cut Methane Emissions from Oil and Gas Sector
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Energy (DOE) and DOE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) announced availability of up to $350 million in grant funding to help monitor and reduce methane emissions. This funding will help oil and gas owners and operators of applicable facilities reduce methane emissions on non-federal lands.
- Funding Granted to Domestic Supply Chain for Critical Minerals
The U.S. Department of Energy will fund up to $30 million to help lower the costs of the onshore production of rare earths and other critical minerals and materials from domestic coal-based resources. This funding will help meet the demand of critical minerals across the country while lowering reliance of offshore supplies.
- West Virginia Receives $14.8 Million for Long-Term Economic Growth
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing $14.8 million to support entrepreneurs, build infrastructure and improve access to affordable housing for Rural Partners Network communities in West Virginia. This investment will support 12 projects in six RPN-designated counties. - U.S. Department of Agriculture Invests $808 Million to Strengthen Rural Infrastructure and Create Jobs
The USDA is investing $808 million to help rural cooperatives and utilities build and improve electric infrastructure and increase electric grid reliability and security. This funding will create higher-paying jobs for hundreds of thousands of people across rural areas in 36 states and two U.S. territories while also helping to provide clean drinking water and sanitary wastewater systems. - U.S. Department of Energy’s Transmission Siting and Economic Development (TSED) Grant Program
The U.S. Department of Energy announced a funding opportunity of up to $300 million in grants for states, tribes and local governments to accelerate and strengthen electric transmission siting. This program is a new initiative with the goal of overcoming state and local challenges to expand transmission capacity and support communities along major new and upgraded lines. Applicants must submit concept papers by October 31, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. EDT. - Request for Proposal: Development of ARC’s Capacity-Building Strategy
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is seeking contract support to develop a strategy for long-term capacity-building in the Appalachian region for fiscal years 2025-2029. Proposals are due September. 30, 2023. - Request for Proposal: ARC READY Community Foundations Training Program
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is seeking qualified contractors to administer the READY Community Foundations training program. The program helps Appalachian community foundation executives, staff and board members learn and improve operations, fundraising and programming skills. Proposals are due October. 6, 2023. - Office of Economic Impact and Diversity’s Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program
The Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program (48(e)) provides an opportunity to create jobs, reduce costs for families and contribute to economic growth in communities that have been historically left behind. The U.S. Department of Energy will begin accepting applications in fall 2023. - SCEP Notice of Availability of Tribal Allocation Formula for $225 Million Tribal Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program
The program’s intended formula will provide a minimum of $150,000 to every tribe that wants to administer a home electrification and appliance rebates program and allocate the remainder of funding based on local tribal housing and energy needs. Public comments on the notice are due September. 15, 2023.
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. To learn more about how to navigate the Energy Communities IWG Clearinghouse, click here.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) Program Applications Due Sept. 29
- Intermediary Relending Program Applications Due Sept. 30
- Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program Loan Guarantees Applications Due Oct. 3
U.S. Department of Commerce
U.S. Department of Energy
- Underserved and Indigenous Community Microgrids (UICM) Applications Due Sept. 15
- Puerto Rico – Energy Resilience Fund Applications Due Sept. 18
- Solar Ambassador Prize Applications Due Sept. 25
- Direct Air Capture (DAC) Pre-Commercial Technology Prize Applications Due Sept. 26
- American-Made Solar Prize Round 7 Applications Due Sept. 27
- Wind Turbine Materials Recycling Prize Applications Due Sept. 29
- Energy Future Grants (EFG) Creating a Community-Led Energy Future Applications Due Sept. 30
- Community Power Accelerator Prize: Accessing Capital to Deploy Equitable Community Solar – Round 2 Applications Due Oct. 4
- Section 247: Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity Incentives Applications Due Oct. 6
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Department of Transportation
- Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhood Grant Programs Applications Due Sept. 28
- Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program NOFO Applications Due Sept. 28
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Events & Additional Resources
- ARC 2023 Annual Conference
The Appalachian Regional Commission’s 2023 Annual Conference was held on September 11-12 in Ashland, Kentucky. Topics of interest included expanding workforce development, growing outdoor recreation, developing entrepreneurs and building leadership and community capacity in the region. Click here to view the livestreamed opening ceremony.
- Department of Energy Hosts Transmission Siting and Economic Development Webinar
The U.S. DOE will host an informational webinar on the Transmission Siting and Economic Development Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) on September 14, 2023. The webinar will go over the FOA and answer attendee questions. Registration is required.
- State of Tennessee ARC Pre-Application Workshop
The State of Tennessee Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Pre-Application workshop will cover an overview of the ARC region of Tennessee, Regional Plan, funding, performance measures, match funding requirements and common issues on ARC applications. The workshop will be held on September 27, 2023. Registration is now open.
- Third Annual Appalachia Forward
The Third Annual Appalachia Forward, featuring the Energy Communities IWG, will be held on Sept. 27, 2023, at Belmont College in St. Clairsville, Ohio. This conference is focused on bringing together local officials who are committed to fostering economic revitalization in Appalachian Ohio’s energy communities. Registration is now open.
- EDA Offers Application Support for the Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program
The application deadline for the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) newest funding opportunity, the Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program (Recompete), is Thursday, October 5. EDA is hosting bi-weekly office hours to answer applicant questions. Register using the links below:
Wednesday, September 20 from 4:00-5:00 p.m. EDT
Wednesday, October 4 from 4:00-5:00 p.m. EDT
- Economic Revitalization in Pennsylvania’s Energy Communities
Energy Communities IWG will host an event in Pennsylvania in October to highlight federal opportunities that can help catalyze economic development in the state’s energy communities. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with federal officials to share challenges their community faces and identify solutions to address those needs. More details to come.
- Brushy Fork 2023 Leadership Summit
The 2023 Brushy Fork Leadership Summit, Leading Through Resilience: Imagining the Future, will be held November 2-3 at Berea College. This two-day gathering will feature intensive workshop tracks, taught by regional leaders and will have prime content for non-profit development. Registration is now open.
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