Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and other federal and state funding announcements

The Minnesota Department of Commerce seeks to work with and facilitate connections with local and Tribal governments, utilities, businesses, communities and other entities interested in energy-related partnerships. The opportunities outlined below are funded by the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (IIJA), the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and other state and federal programs.

Coming Soon! New Energy Programs

The 2023 Minnesota Legislative Session recently concluded. As a result of legislation signed into law by Governor Walz, the Department of Commerce is now charged with setting up numerous new programs.

We know that many stakeholders are anxious for these programs to be up and running. The roll-out process will take some time and not all programs will be launched at once. Information and guidance for these programs will be posted on the Commerce website and distributed via our newsletter as soon as possible. Please plan to check back frequently for updates on timing. You can also stay current by signing up for our newsletter by?clicking here.

The legislation authorizing these new programs can be read by clicking on the links below. The table below references the appropriate link for each specific program.

• HF 2310 - Chapter 60 - MN Laws
• SF 3035 - Chapter 53 - MN Laws
• HF 1656 - Chapter 24 - MN Laws
• HF 100 - Chapter 63 - MN Laws

Recent and expected federal funding activity

The federal government issues a variety of announcements related to federal funding opportunities: Requests for Information (RFI), Notices of Intent (NOI) and Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA). More information can be found on the Commerce Federal Funding Opportunities?web page or by clicking the links below.

To facilitate a quick review of this newsletter, the subject matter of included items is previewed here; full details can be found in the body of the newsletter.

Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA), Administrative and Legal Requirements Document (ALRD), Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), Requests for Applications (RFA)

• Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants Requirements Updated to Accept Tribal Consortium Applications
• University-Led Projects Supporting Decarbonization and Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program
• EPA Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund ? Solar for All
• NOAA Climate Resilience Regional Challenge

Notice of Intent

• Domestic Manufacturing of Electrified Vehicles
• High Performance Computing for Energy Innovation (HPC4EI)

Request for Information (RFI)

• Pilot-Scale Validation of Clean Energy Technology Components and Subsystems
• National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor ? Extended Deadline
• Clean Fuels in the Shipping Industry

Prizes/Awards

• American-Made Solar Data Bounty Prize

Webinars

• DOE Community Benefits Plans ? CBP 101
• Better Buildings Summer Series
• Upcoming Funding for U.S. Thin-Film Solar Photovoltaics
• Past Webinars Relating to EV Topics

Workshops, Meetings, Conferences

• 2023 DOE Small Business Forum and Expo
• Energy Efficiency as a Resource
• Midwest Climate Resilience Conference

Publications/Videos/Webpages

• Better Climate Challenge Roadshow
• EPA State, Local and Tribal Greenhouse Gas Inventory Tool
• IRA Energy Efficiency & Electrification Programs Podcast
• Public Education Resources on Inflation Reduction Act Programs

IRS Tax Deductions and Guidance

• IRS Transferability Guidance Podcast by Norton Rose Fulbright
• Direct Pay Resources via Congressional Progressive Caucus Center

IIJA Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA)

• 40101 (d) Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants Requirements Updated to Accept Tribal Consortium Applications Amendment 7
  • DE-FOA-0002736 Amd. 7
  • Deadline Extended: August 31, 2023
  • The $2.3 billion Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants are designed to strengthen and modernize America?s power grid against wildfires, extreme weather, and other natural disasters that are exacerbated by the climate crisis.?
  • In response to feedback from Tribes, this amendment allows a group of Tribes to collaborate and form a consortium to apply for grid resilience grants.
  • The application deadline for Fiscal Year (FY) 22 and FY23 grants has been extended for Indian Tribes, including Alaska Native Corporations, until August 31, 2023, at 10:59 PM CT (with a mail-in option post-marked by this date).

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Non-IIJA Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA)

• University-Led Projects Supporting Decarbonization and Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  • DE-FOA-0003002
  • Deadline: August 7, 2023
  • DOE?s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management has announced a FOA to support novel, early-stage research and development at eligible U.S. colleges and universities, including creating new academic curricula related to geosciences and supporting interdisciplinary training in humanities-driven science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields (HDSTEM).
  • Projects selected under this (FOA) will focus on five areas:

• Establishing a visiting scholar program consisting of multi-institution collaborations for student exchanges from minority-serving institutions to conduct research supporting net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.
• Supporting HDSTEM projects to facilitate interdisciplinary student training and technology development.
• Developing an academic curriculum exposing students to the field of geosciences to prepare a workforce for critical mineral and materials production.
• Improving knowledge and understanding of critical minerals and materials in coal-based resources and advancing the knowledge of ionic liquids for use in their recovery.
• Exploring the technical feasibility and community benefit of repurposing existing energy assets for clean energy and manufacturing to support deep decarbonization.?

• IRA ? Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program
  • RBCS-2023-2024-01-HBIIP
  • Fact Sheet & Application Information
  • Deadlines: There will be five application windows between July 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024.
  • In July 2023 the USDA will begin accepting applications for $450 million in grants through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP). These grants will support the infrastructure needed to lower out-of-pocket costs for transportation fueling and distribution facilities to install and upgrade biofuel-related infrastructure such as pumps, dispensers and storage tanks.
  • Grants cover up to 75% (maximum grant $5 million) to enable conversion to higher blend fuels.
  • Eligible projects include upgrades to a variety of fueling operations: ?fueling facilities (fueling stations, convenience stores, larger retail stores that also sell fuel, and transportation, freight, rail, and marine fleet facilities); fuel distribution facilities (terminal operations, depots, and midstream operations), and home heating oil distribution facilities.
  • Webinar: July 6, 2023 | 2:30 CT?Register Here

• IRA Notice of Funding Opportunity - EPA Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund ? Solar for All
  • EPA-R-HQ-SFA-23-01
  • Deadlines: Notice of Intent: July 31, 2023 for States and August 28, 2023 for Tribes | Application: September 26, 2023
  • This competition will award up to 60 grants to states, territories, Tribal governments, municipalities, and eligible nonprofit recipients to expand the number of low-income and disadvantaged communities primed for distributed solar investment?enabling millions of low-income households to access affordable, resilient, and clean solar energy. Grantees will use funds to expand existing low-income solar programs or design and deploy new Solar for All programs nationwide.

• IRA - NOAA Climate Resilience Regional Challenge
  • NOAA-NOS-OCM-2023-2008068
  • Deadlines: Letter of Intent: August 21, 2023 | Application: February 13, 2023
  • The NOAA Climate Resilience Regional Challenge will support collaborative approaches to achieving resilience in coastal regions with an emphasis on risk reduction, regional collaboration, equity, and building enduring capacity. The Challenge is a $575 million competition with a Letter of Intent phase and two exclusive funding tracks designed to meet the needs of coastal communities wherever they are in the resilience and adaptation process.
    • Coastal states include states bordering on the Great Lakes.
    • No cost-share required.
  • Funding will be split into Tracks:? Track One Development Track has $25 Million for grants of $200K - $2 Million and Track Two implementation Track has $550 Million for grants of $15-75 million.?
    • Track Two projects can include ?Establishing resilience hub(s) that use pre-existing facilities to support residents and coordinate resource distribution and services before, during, or after a natural hazard event.?

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Notice of Intent (NOI)

• Domestic Manufacturing of Electrified Vehicles
  • Read the notice of intent
  • The DOE released a notice of intent to invest $2 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act to accelerate domestic production of electrified vehicles. The program will provide cost-shared grants for domestic production of efficient hybrid, plug-in electric hybrid, plug-in electric drive, and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles. It is anticipated that the funding opportunity announcement would strengthen the domestic manufacturing of light, medium, and heavy-duty electrified vehicles and support commercial facilities including those for vehicle assembly, component assembly, and related parts manufacturing.
  • This program will prioritize projects that refurbish or retool manufacturing facilities?that have recently ceased operation or are expected to cease operating soon, with a goal of preserving existing jobs.

• High Performance Computing for Energy Innovation (HPC4EI)
  • HPC4EISummer23posting
  • Anticipated funding opportunity in July 2023
  • HPC4EI programs are designed to improve manufacturing processes, address products? lifecycle energy consumption, and increase the efficiency of energy conversion and storage technologies by providing access to national lab supercomputing resources and expertise for high performance computing projects.
  • This solicitation will include high performance computing projects for both the Manufacturing Program and the Materials Program, and seeks qualified industry partners to participate in short-term, collaborative projects with DOE National Laboratories that address key manufacturing challenges and accelerate the development and deployment of clean energy technologies.
  • Eligibility for the program is limited to entities that manufacture products or operate systems in the United States for commercial applications and to organizations that support these entities. Partnerships are encouraged.

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Request for Information (RFI)

• Pilot-Scale Validation of Clean Energy Technology Components and Subsystems
  • DE-FOA-0003123
  • Deadline: July 31, 2023
  • The DOE Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations has issued a Request for Information to help inform a potential program to support operational validation of pilot-scale clean energy technology components and subsystems. OCED is seeking feedback from small businesses, private investors, incubators and accelerators, and clean energy project developers interested in working with small businesses as technology or component suppliers for their projects.
  • The DOE is seeking feedback from small businesses, private investors, incubators and accelerators, and clean energy project developers to help inform development of a potential program funding operational validation of pilot-scale clean energy technology components and subsystems.

• National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC)? Extended Deadline
  • RFI Deadline Extended: July 31, 2023
  • NIETCs are geographic areas where electricity limitations, congestion, or capacity constraints are adversely affecting electricity consumers and communities. Designation of a NIETC unlocks critical federal investment and regulatory and permitting tools to spur urgent transmission investments needed in these geographic areas to improve reliability and resilience and reduce consumer costs.
  • Click Here for More Information
  • The RFI seeks feedback on final guidelines, procedures, and evaluation criteria for the designation process.?

• Clean Fuels in the Shipping Industry
  • Deadline: July 14, 2023
  • Responses to RFI questions must be submitted electronically as a Microsoft Word (.docx) attachment, to [email protected]
  • International shipping (which includes the Great Lakes) relies on the availability of and access to cheap, energy-intensive fuels to transport heavy freight over long distances. Emerging zero-emission fuels are less price competitive; more energy intensive; and can have associated ricks. ?The alternative fuels under evaluation are biofuels (biodiesel, renewable diesel, bio-intermediates/residuals), renewable natural gas (RNG), methanol, hydrogen, and ammonia. Each alternative fuel comes with its own set of regionally sensitive advantages and disadvantages. To date, this has made selection of future fuels extremely difficult. The DOEs Bioenergy Technologies Office is seeking to understand the maritime industry?s current alternative fuels trajectory, along with driving forces and key barriers to a zero-emission fuels.?The purpose of this RFI is to solicit feedback from industry, academia, research laboratories, and government agencies, with on maritime industry alternative fuel advancement and strategies on getting to net zero GHG emissions.

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Prizes/Awards

• American-Made Solar Data Bounty Prize
  • Deadline: Stage 1 application materials are due on August 14, 2023
  • Information Webinar: July 11, 2023 | 1:00 PM CT Register Here
  • Owners of PV systems are invited to submit at least five years of historical time-series data at a minimum of 15-minute time resolution for one or two of their systems. Submissions will be scored using a rubric to reflect data quality and quantity. Datasets collected through this prize are meant to assist commercial and academic research and development efforts seeking to improve the accuracy of PV system modeling, and thus lower the risk associated with developing and operating those assets.
  • The competition is comprised of two stages:
    • Stage 1: Each competitor will submit time-series metadata on their system of choice along with at least one month of solar irradiance data from that system, which will be made publicly available. The top 25 competitors will win $5,000 and an invitation to compete in Stage 2.
    • Stage 2: The 25 winners from Stage 1 will upload their time-series datasets, which will be analyzed by researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and scored on data quality and quantity according to a pre-defined rubric. Grand prizes for 15 winning datasets will range from $80,000 to $130,000.
  • Read the prize rules, register to compete

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Webinars

• DOE Community Benefits Plans ? CBP 101
  • For Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act funding opportunities, DOE requires awardees to create and implement Community Benefit Plans (CBPs). CBPs are designed to promote broadly shared prosperity in the clean energy transition, reduce project risk, and build public support and trust for first-of-a-kind clean energy technologies.
  • CBPs are based on a set of four core interdependent policy priorities: engaging communities and labor; investing in America's workforce; advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility; and implementing the Justice40 Initiative. Together, these four policy priorities set a comprehensive foundation for funding awardees to meaningfully support justice, equity, security, and resilience through their projects.
  • In the inaugural webinar, CBP 101, senior DOE officials introduce the purpose and importance of CBPs, and energy justice liaisons present a deep dive into each of the four CBP requirements.?
  • View the CBP 101 Webinar here

• Better Buildings Summer Series
  • Registration is now open for the Summer Webinar Series (July 6 ? August 27). Over the course of three months a series of webinars will feature insights from leading industry experts and cover key topics facing energy professionals, such as:
    • Decarbonization
    • Renewable Energy
    • Financing Solutions
    • Workforce Development
  • Registration & More Information

• Upcoming Funding for U.S. Thin-Film Solar Photovoltaics
  • Revised Date: July 10, 2023 | 12:00 PM CT
  • The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) issued a notice of intent (NOI) to release a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) of up to $36 million for research, development, and demonstration projects on two major thin-film photovoltaic (PV) technologies: metal halide perovskites and cadmium telluride (CdTe). The FOA is expected to be released in September 2023 and is expected to be restricted to for-profit lead applicants.
  • Register for the informational webinar

• Past Webinars Relating to EV Topics
  • The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation offers webinars to help states and key stakeholders build capacity for electric vehicles and plan for charging infrastructure.
  • Recordings Available for Past Webinars Include:

• June 13, 2023 ? Workforce Development for the EV Charging Sector
• June 8, 2023 ? Ensuring a Reliable Charging Experience
• May 18, 2023 ? Designing for Accessible EV Charging Stations
• May 9, 2023 ? Minority-Owned Business Outreach and Partnerships for EV Infrastructure
• May 3, 2023 ? Demo of AFLEET Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Emissions Tool
• Apr. 25, 2023 ? Community Charging Models
• Apr. 18, 2023 ? Sample Cybersecurity Procurement Clauses for EV Charging Infrastructure
• Apr. 11, 2023 ? Community Engagement in Transportation
• Apr. 4, 2023 ? State of the Practice in EV Charging Station Site Design
• Mar. 28, 2023 ? Contracting and Procurement Considerations for EV Station Deployment
• Mar. 23, 2023 ? State of the Practice in DC Charging Station Site Evaluation and Deployment Processes
• Mar. 21, 2023 ? Utilities, Commissions, and State DOTs: Working Together to Deploy EV Charging
• Mar. 21, 2023 ? Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program
• Feb. 28, 2023 ? Bridging Transportation and Energy Through Regional Coordination
• Feb. 28, 2023 ? DOT FTA Low-No and Bus Competitive Grant Programs FY 2023 Notice of Funding
• Feb. 21 and 23, 2023 ? EV Charging Minimum Standards Rule
• 24, 2023 ? Meet and Greet Gabe Klein, Joint Office Executive Director

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Workshops/Meetings/Conferences

• 2023 DOE Small Business Forum and Expo
  • July 11 ? 12, 2023 - New Orleans, LA
  • Designed specifically to connect small businesses with the DOEs program offices, power marketing administrations, laboratory and technology centers, and prime contractors to help advance the Agency?s missions.
  • During the two-day expo, eight cutting-edge clean tech startups will compete in the EPIC Prize Pitch Competition in the Big Easy Gator Swamp for cash prizes up to $100,000.
  • Registration & Information

• Energy Efficiency as a Resource
  • October 16 ? 18, 2023 ? Philadelphia, PA
  • This conference will focus on policies and programs to reduce utility customers' energy waste and help utilities meet climate goals and infrastructure challenges and to strategize about using innovative technologies and policies to enable efficiency programs that deliver greater greenhouse gas reductions, improve bill affordability and health for low-income customers, and embrace more electrified and grid-interactive equipment in our homes and buildings.
  • Keynote by Gene Rodrigues, Assistant Secretary for Electricity at the DOE
  • Registration & Information

• Midwest Climate Resilience Conference
  • October 25 ? 27, 2023 | Duluth, MN
  • Designed to bring together representatives from the public, private and nonprofit sectors to inspire and enable climate adaptation in communities throughout Minnesota.
  • Registration & Information

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Publications/Videos/Webpages

• Better Climate Challenge Roadshow
  • Watch three episodes of the Better Climate Challenge Roadshow to see how Nissan, Whirlpool, and Chemours are meeting their goal of reducing their carbon emissions by 50% over ten years.
  • Watch the Road Show by Clicking Here

• EPA State, Local and Tribal Greenhouse Gas Inventory Tool
  • EPA has updated its suite of tools to help state, local, and tribal governments complete greenhouse gas emissions inventories and to create a simple forecast of their emissions.
  • Click here to see the updated tools

• Inflation Reduction Act Energy Efficiency & Electrification Programs Podcast
  • The Energy Innovation podcast "Electrify This!" recently released a new episode titled, "Making Energy Efficiency and Electrification Programs Work For People." The episode considers how?state and local governments can design programs under IRA's rebates and incentives for home and building upgrades over the next decade to successfully reach communities in need.
  • Listen to the Podcast Here

• Public Education Resources on Inflation Reduction Act Programs
  • The Minnesota?Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs), a statewide partnership helping connect Minnesotans to clean energy resources, has released?materials for educating communities and the public about IRA energy-savings opportunities. Resources available for widespread use include short explainer videos, PowerPoint slides, and talking point scripts about IRA programs such as tax credits and rebates, household scenarios, direct pay, electric vehicle incentives, and more. You can access these materials here.

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IRS Tax Deductions and Guidance

• IRS Transferability Guidance Podcast by Norton Rose Fulbright
  • The global project finance law firm Norton Rose Fulbright (NRF) released a podcast episode discussing guidance on the transferability mechanisms established under IRA for the clean energy tax credits. The episode considers how the new IRS guidance addresses: registration; payment for credits; regulations involving partnerships, individual purchasers, bonus credits, and brokers; what new products can be expected; and how the tax insurance market has reacted so far.?
  • Listen to the podcast by clicking here
  • IRS Transferability Guidance
  • IRS Elective Pay Regulations
  • IRS Transferability Regulations

• Direct Pay Resources via Congressional Progressive Caucus Center
  • The Congressional Progressive Caucus Center (CPCC) recently released additional resources for the IRS's proposed guidance on the IRA Direct Pay program. The US Internal Revenue Service?recently proposed guidance on the elective pay (i.e. "direct pay") and transferability mechanisms that will help states, local governments, non-profits, and other eligible entities access clean energy tax credits.
    • CPCC's first resource, a flier addressing who is eligible for the Direct Pay program and why it matters, can be distributed to eligible tax-exempt stakeholders for their use.
    • CPCC also released an explainer with FAQs on direct pay, and a toolkit including videos, graphics, and talking points about the program, all of which could prove helpful to states, other eligible stakeholders, and their communities as they share information and claim their Direct Payments from the IRS.
    • CPCC also flagged an additional external resource with answers to FAQs on direct pay and transferability drafted by the law firm Holland & Knight, available here.

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For energy-specific funding opportunities, Commerce is here for you!

The Minnesota Department of Commerce seeks to work with and facilitate connections with local and Tribal governments, utilities, businesses, communities and other entities interested in energy-related partnerships. The opportunities outlined here are funded by the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (IIJA), the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and other federal programs.?Interested in partnering with Commerce on funding opportunities or have questions? Stay updated by clicking subscribe below and e-mail us at?[email protected].