Federal Infrastructure Grant Resources

October 2022

• Strategics Consulting October 27, 2022 Grants Alert
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture opened Round 4 of the Reconnect Program for high-speed internet on September 6, 2022. Funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), available funding includes up to $150 million in loans, up to $300 million in loan/grant combinations, and up to $700 million in grants. The deadline to apply is November 2, 2022. Apply and learn more here.
• Strategics Consulting October 13, 2022 Grants Alert
• Strategics Consulting October 6, 2022 Grants Alert

September 2022

• Solar Energy Initiatives Association summary of Inflation Reduction Act regarding impacts on Solar Energy and Energy Storage
• Strategics Consulting September 29, 2022 Grants Alert
• The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) opened the FY22 BRIC (Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities) grant program. While funding for this program goes to states, local governments are eligible to apply as sub-applicants, and new this year, COGs are eligible to apply as a surrogate and could qualify for a 5% management fee. In North Carolina, the sub-applicant process begins with a Letter of Interest that is due October 3, 2022. Watch this webinar for more about the NC state process, how to apply, history and tips. If interested in applying, contact Strategics Consulting.
• Strategics Consulting September 22, 2022 Grants Alert
• The Department of Energy’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER) will be holding a third listening session for its Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Grant and Technical Assistance Program (RMUC) on Thursday, September 29 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. EDT which will focused on public power utilities and very small IOUs but opened to all except for the press.  Registration is required, and you can register here. More info here.
• Strategics Consulting September 15, 2022 Grant Alert
• Overview of Inflation Reduction Act, laying out specific sectors and funding amounts, along with a more extensive summary by Bloomberg Government.
• Strategics Consulting September 1, 2022 Grants Alert
• The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is hosting a webinar series entitled EVGrid Assist: Accelerating the Transition. The first webinar is Thurs., September 8 at 3 p.m. EST on Grid Awareness Selection, and the second is on Tues., September 27 at 3 p.m. EST on Charging Station Site Design, Part 1. Registration and information about previous webinars in the series (topics include EV Basics and DCFC Charging) — https://www.evgridassistwebinars.com/

August 2022

• Strategics Consulting August 25, 2022 Grants Alert
• Strategics Consulting August 11, 2022 Grants Alert
• US Department of Agriculture and Economic Development Administration released a joint resource guide to boost economic development in rural communities. Key areas of focus are planning and technical assistance, infrastructure and broadband expansion, entrepreneurship and business assistance, and workforce development and livability. Download the guide.
• US Department of Energy grant: Advancing Equity through Workforce Partnerships, with a focus on activities related to solar technology research, development, and commercialization, along with related workforce development activities. Deadline: 12/6/2022. Apply and read more here.

July 2022

• Strategics Consulting July 7, 2022 Grants Alert
• Local Infrastructure Hub, built by U.S. Conference of Mayors, National League of Cities launches on July 12.

June 2022

• Strategics Consulting June 20, 2022 Grants Alert

May 2022

• The White House recently released a Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Technical Assistance Guide, which is a list of federal resources to help communities “deliver infrastructure projects.” Specifically, the guide provides a list of over 65 technical assistance programs and resources to help communities apply for federal infrastructure funding. At least $700 million in funding has been identified in a variety of infrastructure investments including transportation, clean energy and power, high-speed internet, water, resilience and environmental remediation. Read more here.
• The “Infrastructure School” webinar series, hosted by the White House, is now available in recorded form. These webinars provided a deeper analysis of every segment of the BIL, including upcoming milestones. View the full collection here.
• The White House has released an infrastructure “rural playbook” which features programs focused on rural water systems, broadband, transportation, climate resilience, and energy. Access the playbook.
• Department of Energy is seeking feedback on the Transmission Facilitation Program (TFP) and released a request for information.
• A recorded webinar on the Clean Fuel Advanced Technology (CFAT) Project (deadline to apply is August 1), hosted by the NC Clean Energy Technology Center. Grant can be accessed here.

April 2022

• Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office announced RACER funding for project enabling communities to utilize solar and solar-plus-storage to prevent disruptions in power; $25 million total available; Deadline for concept papers: 5:00 PM EST, May, 26, 2022  Application; Register for informational webinar; Read more here.
• Federal Transit Administration’s Bust Portable Power Systems (BEPS) Programs announced funding for developing standards for exportable power systems (from electric and fuel-cell powered buses to emergency shelters and hospitals during power disruptions); $1 million total available; Deadline for application: June 13, 2022; Application; Read more here.
• Department of Transportation’s toolkit for Rural Electric Mobility Infrastructure; includes best practices for planning EV charging stations and tips for navigating federal funding.
• Department of Energy’s ‘Building a Better Grid Initiative’ includes new and existing financing focusing on developing new and upgraded high-capacity transmission lines.
• Department of Energy landing page for tracking funding programs through BIL.
• National League of Cities summary of Energy Efficient and Conservation Block Grant.

March 2022

• Strategics Consulting March 24, 2022 Grants Alert
• Department of Transportation RAISE Transportation Discretionary Grants; $1.5 billion total available; individual grants may not be less than $5 million and not greater than $25 million; Deadline for application: 5:00 PM EDT, April 14, 2022; Application; Read more here.

February 2022

• EPA grant funding to reduce lead in drinking water; $20 million total available; Deadline for application: April 19th, 2022; Application; Read more here
• Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Fact Sheet – user friendly reference to local competitive funding

January 2022

• Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure provisions write-up by Congressional Research Service

Past RFIs

• Notice of Intent and RFI regarding establishment of Industrial Centers (IACs) at Trade Schools, Community Colleges, and Union Training Programs and Establishment of Building Training and Assessments Centers (BTACs). Deadline for comment is January 31, 2023.
• Request for Information (RFI) on energy conservation standards for miscellaneous gas products. Deadline to comment is December 19, 2022.
• Requests for Information (RFI) to Inform Program Design for EPA. Docket 1: Climate Pollution Reduction Grants; Docket 3: Methane Emissions Reduction Program; Docket 4: Funding to Address Air Pollution; Docket 6: Low Emissions Electricity Program; Deadline to submit comments for all dockets is January 18, 2023.
• Request for Information (RFI) for program to provide $50 million in grants for energy efficiency materials in building owned and operated by charitable nonprofits. Deadline to submit comments is December 22, 2022.
• Request for Information (RFI) on Electric Vehicle No-charge Events, Including Operability. Deadline to submit comments is November 18, 2022.
• Request for Information (RFI) on Performance Date for Solar Photovoltaic Systems. Deadline to submit comments is November 18, 2022.
• Capabilities of Universities and Private-Sector Firms for Providing Technical Assistance to States, U.S. Territories, Indian Tribes, and Other Eligible Entities to Enhance the Resilience of Electricity Delivery Systems. Submit Comments to 40101TA@hq.doe.gov by November 21, 2022.
• Request for Information in Rural or Remote Areas. Deadline to submit comments is November 28, 2022.
• Request for Information (RFI): Enabling Technologies for Improving Fusion Power Plant Performance and Availability (DE-FOA-0002874). Deadline to comment is November 21, 2022.
• Environmental Protection Agency Request for Information (RFI) on the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) (EPA-HQ-OA-2022-0859). Deadline to comment is December 5, 2022.
• Request for Information (RFI) on Improving Cybersecurity Posture of Rural and Municipal Utilities (DE-FOA-0002877). Deadline to comment is December 19, 2022. Additional link: https://www.energy.gov/articles/biden-harris-administration-launches-250-million-program-strengthen-energy-security-rural