energy specific funding opportunties




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Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and other federal 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.

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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 [ [link removed] ] 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) [ #IRA ]


* 2022-2023 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA)
* Section 22004 ? USDA Empowering Rural America New ERA Program

Notice of Intent [ #NoticeofIntent ]


* Critical Material Innovation, Efficiency, and Alternatives
* Renewable Energy Siting Through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP)
* Carbon Negative Shot Pilots
* $27.5 million Voucher Program to Bring Innovative Energy Technologies to Market

Request for Information (RFI) [ #RequestforInformation ]


* MPCA webinars on Climate Pollution Reduction Grants and Priority Climate Action Plan

Joint Notice of Intent (NOI) & Request for Information (RFI) [ #f ]


* Responsible Carbon Management Initiative

Opportunities for Tribal Governments [ #Tribal ]


* State and Tribal Grid Resilience and Transmission Planning Resource Hub
* IRA Section 80003 Tribal Electrification Program

Prizes/Awards [ #PrizesAwards ]


* American-Made Solar Data Bounty
* American-Made Community Power Accelerator ? Round 2

Webinars [ #webinars ]


* U.S. National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap: The Vision for Clean Hydrogen and Federal Agency Coordination
* Leveraging Federal Funding for Transmission Technologies and Renewable Energy Integration
* SolSmart 101
* The Building Envelope Campaign
* Coordinated Interagency Transmission Authorizations and Permits Program Notice of Proposal Rulemaking Informational Webinar
* An Equitable Solar Access Pilot Project in Minnesota Benefiting Manufactured (Mobile) Home Residents
* Heat Pumps ? Unprecedented Incentives
* Combining Incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act

Workshops, Meetings, Conferences [ #workshops ]


* RE+ Solar Energy Trade Show
* Association of Energy Engineers World Conference

Publications/Videos/Webpages [ #videos ]


* Grid and Transmission Program Conductor
* A Community Benefits Plan (CBP)
* Shopping Tips for Solar
* Streamlining Solar Permitting

Guidance on IRA Tax Credit Programs [ #taxes ]


* USDA Pocket Guides on the IRA
* 25C Tax Credit Qualifications for Home Energy Audits
* Low-Income Communities Bonus Energy Investment Credit Program
* Climate Program Portal





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*IRA Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA)*

* *Section 22004 ? USDA Empowering Rural America New ERA Program *
* *Letter of Interest deadline: *September 15, 2023
* Additional Information [ [link removed] ]
* *New ERA Application Webinar:* August 29, 2023 | 1:00 PM CT?Register here [ [link removed] ]
* New ERA makes $9.7 billion available for eligible rural electric cooperatives to make improvements to eligible generation and transmission systems, to purchase, build, or deploy renewable energy, zero-emission systems, carbon capture storage systems, or to purchase renewable energy. The funding is available for loans and grants.

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Non-*IIJA Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA)*

* *2022-2023 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA)? **?*
* EPA-OAR-OTAQ-23-03 [ [link removed] ] *"?"*
* *Deadline: *Full application December 1, 2023
* The EPA announced funding of up to $115 million to support States, Local and Tribal Governments, and certain Port Authorities, to upgrade or retire the nation?s legacy diesel engine fleet. Eligible activities include the retrofit or replacement of existing diesel engines, vehicles, and equipment with EPA and California Air Resources Board (CARB) certified engine configurations and verified retrofit and idle reduction technologies.

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*Notice of Intent (NOI)*

* *Critical Material Innovation, Efficiency, and Alternatives*
* DE-FOA-0003105 [ [link removed] ]
* Critical Materials List [ [link removed] ]
* FOA issuance expected in fourth quarter 2023
* The DOE Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) has issued a notice of intent to offer funding support to high impact applied research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) bench and pilot scale projects across the *critical materials** supply chain, from extraction, processing, refining, manufacturing, and recycling, as well as for developing alternative materials or manufactured products with less supply vulnerability.?
* Funded projects will focus on economically viable, environmentally responsible extraction, separation, processing, refining, and recycling, of critical minerals and materials.

*Read background on Critical Materials and what DOE has included as eligible items on the Final Critical Materials List at the link above.


* *Renewable Energy Siting Through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP)*
* Information Fact Sheet [ [link removed] ]
* *Webinar: *September 11, 2023 | 1:00 PM CT Register [ [link removed] ]
* FOA expected to open on September 12, 2023, and close on November 3, 2023
* The DOE has announced their intent to offer funding to support states and local communities as they plan for and evaluate proposed development of large renewable energy facilities.? DOE anticipates awarding approximately five to seven state-based collaboratives (Collaboratives) $1-$2 million each, along with tailored technical assistance and peer-learning opportunities through the program, to improve renewable energy deployment outcomes for host communities, especially disadvantaged communities, local governments, and renewable energy developers.


* *Carbon Negative Shot Pilots*
* DE-FOA-0003081 [ [link removed] ]? *??*
* FOA expected in fourth quarter 2023
* DOE National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), on behalf of the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) and the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, intends to publish a series of Carbon Negative Shot aligned funding opportunities focused on supporting the advancement and maturation of a suite of carbon dioxide removal technologies. Funding opportunities are planned around the following interest areas:
* Small Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage Pilots
* Small Mineralization Pilots
* Multi-Pathway Carbon Dioxide Removal Testbed Facilities
* Small Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal Pilots

* Anticipated open dates for the various funding opportunities and prize tracks in the series are as follows:
* Direct Air Capture (DAC) Pilot Prize: expected release date late FY23 (September 2023)
* CDR Purchase Prize: expected release date late FY23 (September 2023)
* Regional Direct Air Capture Hubs: expected release of additional FOA(s) in FY24/25 and beyond)
* Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) for CDR: expected release date FY24;
* Carbon Management: CDR Technology Research and Development (DE-FOA-0002614): (expected release date FY24


* *$27.5 million Voucher Program to Bring Innovative Energy Technologies to Market *
* Further information [ [link removed] ]
* Expected FOA release date: Late Summer 2023
* The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Technology Transitions (OTT), in collaboration with the Offices of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) and Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) will provide $27.5 million in in-kind commercialization support to organizations that have a role in bringing innovative energy technologies to market nation-wide. This program will lower barriers for small businesses, non-traditional partners, and other organizations from underrepresented communities that may face difficulties accessing testing facilities or obtaining expensive third-party subject matter expertise needed to advance their technologies, business, or energy projects to the next level.
* The Voucher Program offers four categories of in-kind support, with the potential for more to be added in the future: (1) Pre-Demonstration Commercialization Support; (2) Performance Validation, Modeling, and Certification Support; (3) Clean Energy Demonstration Project Siting/Permitting Support; (4) EERE Commercialization Support. Please see energywerx.org [ [link removed] ] for more information, program announcements, and to sign up for updates.?

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Request for Information (RFI)

* *MPCA webinars on Climate Pollution Reduction Grants and Priority Climate Action Plan*

* Webinar 1: August 23, 2023 | 2:00 PM CT | Meeting Link [ [link removed] ]
* Webinar 2: August 24, 2023 | 11:00 AM CT | Meeting Link [ [link removed] ]
* The MN Pollution Control Agency (PCA) recently received a $3 million planning grant under the EPA's Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program [ [link removed] ]. The CPRG program provides funding to states, local governments, and Tribal Nations to plan and implement reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution. ?MPCA will use the CPRG funds to strategically advance the state's Climate Action Framework [ [link removed] ]and enable the state, tribal nations, and local governments to access competitive implementation funding through the CPRG program. The first step is to develop a Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP) that will unlock eligibility for federal implementation dollars.
* To unlock eligibility for these competitive funds, the state is developing a plan that identifies climate action priorities. *Your help is needed to ensure the plan reflects a diverse range of opportunities to reduce climate pollution in communities across the state.*
* The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will be holding two one-hour webinars on August 23 & 24 to share more information on the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program and how you can help shape our plan, sign up here: Climate Pollution Reduction Grants | Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (state.mn.us) [ [link removed] ]

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*Joint Notice of Intent (NOI) & Request for Information (RFI)*

* *Responsible Carbon Management Initiative *
* Federal Register Announcement [ [link removed] ]
* *Comments in Response to RFI deadline: *September 11, 2023
* The U.S. Department of Energy?s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) issued a joint NOI/RFI around a proposed ?Responsible Carbon Management Initiative? (Initiative), announcing the DOE will deploy approximately $12 billion in new carbon management funding over five years, largely for direct air capture and carbon capture, transport, use, and storage. Funding will recognize and encourage project developers and others in industry to pursue the highest levels of safety, environmental stewardship, accountability, community engagement, and societal benefits in carbon management projects. The Initiative will also aim to encourage transparency and learning through greater data and information sharing among industry, governments, communities, and other stakeholders. This Initiative will be sequenced in two phases; in Phase I, the DOE is seeking public input on the Principles and the general approach to the Responsible Carbon Management Initiative. The draft Principles for the Responsible Carbon Management Initiative can be accessed for review and comment on page 54609, Section III on the Federal Register link above.

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*Opportunities for Tribal Governments*

* *DOE Grid Deployment Office State and Tribal Grid Resilience and Transmission Planning Resource Hub *Expanding and modernizing the electric grid to meet growing electrification will be a holistic effort across communities, states, tribes, and the nation. Success will not be achieved with individual projects, but only with a national coordinated effort. The DOE?s State and Tribal Grid Resilience and Transmission Planning Resource Hub [ [link removed] ] provides valuable resources geared specifically to community partners to ensure we maximize regional and community benefits.

* *Section 80003 Tribal Electrification Program*
* *Deadlines:?*Pre-application: September 18, 2023 | Full Application (if invited): December 22, 2023
* Indian Affairs and the Office of Indian Economic Development's (OIED) Tribal Electrification Program (TEP) announced $145.5 million in available funding for clean energy household electrification projects benefitting Tribal communities. Tribal communities with projects ranging from the early planning stage to implementation are eligible to apply.?? Funding appropriated to the program includes $4.5 million for administrative costs to retain a professional services contract to provide technical assistance to tribes in the areas of pre-award guidance, award management, project technical assistance, procurement, and utility system impacts.

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Prizes/Awards

* *American-Made Solar Data Bounty ? Deadline Extended *
* *New Deadline:* September 6, 2023
* Prize Webpage [ [link removed] ]
* Prize Registration [ [link removed] ]
* The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) has opened a two-stage, $1.4 million prize competition designed to increase the accessibility of high-quality time-series datasets for photovoltaic (PV) systems.? U.S.-based PV system owners and entities authorized to share data from PV systems are eligible to compete. 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.
* In Stage 1, the top 25 competitors will win $5,000 and an invitation to compete in Stage 2. Stage 1 of the competition requires the submission of time-series metadata on their system of choice along; data will be made publicly available.
* Stage 2: 15 of the 25 competing datasets will win Grand Prizes ranging from $80,000 to $130,000. In Stage 2, the time-series datasets from Stage 1 will be uploaded for researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to analyze and score. ?All Stage 2 participants will also be invited to participate in the PV Fleet Performance Data Initiative.
* The winning datasets and respective metadata will be shared on a publicly accessible database for use by other researchers and solar stakeholders; bonus prizes totaling up to $200,000 will be given to four prize winners who agree to update their datasets with new data on an annual basis for the next six years.


* *American-Made Community Power Accelerator ? Round 2 *
* *Deadline: *October 4, 2023
* The second round of the American-Made Community Power Accelerator Prize: Accessing Capital to Deploy Equitable Community Solar has been launched. The prize is focused on addressing early-stage access to capital for community solar developers that increases equitable access to the meaningful benefits of community solar.
* More information [ [link removed] ]*?*including Official Competition Rules [ [link removed] ]
* Click here to apply [ [link removed] ]
* *Webinars:* Recording of August 8 2023 Webinar [ [link removed] ]*?*
* September 19, 2023 - webinar 2:00 PM CT ? Register [ [link removed] ]

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Webinars

* *U.S. National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap: The Vision for Clean Hydrogen and Federal Agency Coordination *
* August 18, 2023| 9:00 AM CT
* Register [ [link removed] ]
* The webinar will include an introduction and overview of the US "National Clean Hydrogen" "Strategy and Roadmap" [ [link removed] ], including an explanation of the benefits of clean hydrogen and its important role in the clean energy transition. Leaders from DOE and the White House will also discuss progress on the whole-of-government approach to clean hydrogen (including approaches to environmental concerns), detailing how hydrogen-related work is organized and coordinated within DOE and across multiple federal agencies.


* *Leveraging Federal Funding for Transmission Technologies and Renewable Energy Integration *
* August 22, 2023 | 12:00 PM CT
* Register [ [link removed] ]
* This webinar, hosted by the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) and WATT Coalition, will explain the potential of transmission technologies such as dynamic line ratings, advanced power flow control, and topology optimization, to enable the grid to deliver cleaner, lower-cost generation to customers. Panelists will also discuss the federal funding that is available to support deployment of these technologies.


* *SolSmart 101*
* August 22, 2023 | 12:00 PM CT
* Register [ [link removed] ]
* Since 2016, the SolSmart program has helped over 500 local governments prepare for solar energy market growth. With funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, SolSmart provides free technical assistance to help local governments achieve their clean energy goals. SolSmart has established solar best practices across local processes such as permitting, inspection, and planning, as well as government operations, community engagement, and market development. During this webinar, panelists from the Interstate Renewable Energy Council will cover the basics of the Solsmart program and all the new updates added to keep local governments on top of the solar energy transition.


* *The Building Envelope Campaign **?*
* August 22, 2023 | 10:00 AM CT
* Register [ [link removed] ]
* The Building Envelope Campaign is designed to help building owners and managers enhance the energy efficiency of their buildings. One of the campaign's objectives is to acknowledge leaders who successfully implemented a high-performance building envelope. Join this webinar for an overview of the Building Envelope Campaign, including highlights from this year?s awardees as they share their high-performance building envelope projects.


* *Coordinated Interagency Transmission Authorizations and Permits Program Notice of Proposal Rulemaking Informational Webinar *
* August 23, 2023 | 12:30 PM ? 2:00 PM CT
* Register [ [link removed] ]
* On August 10, 2023 DOE proposed a rule to establish the Coordinated Interagency Transmission Authorizations and Permits [ [link removed] ] (CITAP) Program to accelerate Federal environmental review and permitting processes for qualifying onshore electric transmission facilities. The Grid Deployment Office (GDO), which will administer the CITAP Program, is now seeking public comment and feedback on the proposed program via a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR).

* *An Equitable Solar Access Pilot Project in Minnesota Benefiting Manufactured (Mobile) Home Residents *
* August 31, 2023 | 2:00 PM CT
* Register [ [link removed] ]
* Learn about a recent MN solar installation that is benefiting residents of a manufactured home park. The solar array, which is 11 kW, is located adjacent to a previous solar array and installed to benefit local income-eligible households, including manufactured homes residents, who heat with electric heat. The panelists for this webinar include *Gabe Chan *and *Steve Coleman* with the Chan Lab at the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs and *Dan Josephson *with Mahube-Otwa Community Action Partnership. They will provide an in-depth overview and status of the project.

* *Heat Pumps ? Unprecedented Incentives *
* September 14, 2023 | 12:00 PM CT
* Register [ [link removed] ]
* The International Energy Agency projects the installed heat pump stock to jump from 180 to 600 million by 2030. Where does the market stand? Where are we now? Join this DOE Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call to find out the latest information.

* *Combining Incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act *
* September 28, 2023 | 12:00 PM CT
* Register [ [link removed] ]
* Multiple incentives exist for residential energy efficiency, but what is the best way to combine them? What does the guidance from the federal government say? What is still unclear? Join the DOE Better Buildings Residential Network experts to learn more about a topic that will probably be discussed for some time to come.

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Workshops/Meetings/Conferences

* *RE+ 2023: Renewing What?s Possible *
* September 11 ? 14, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV
* Conference Registration [ [link removed] ]
* The DOE Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) is hosting events at the conference, Review the conference agenda, sessions and workshops. [ [link removed] ]

* *Association of Energy Engineers World Conference & Expo: A Reliable & Resilient Path to Decarbonization ?*
* October 25-27, 2023 | Orlando, FL
* Opening Keynote: Al Gore, former US Vice President
* AEE World Conference | Early Bird Registration [ [link removed] ]
* Join energy professionals to discuss industrial energy management, sustainable development, alternative & renewable energy, buildings and the flexible grid of the future, federal energy management, and more.

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Publications/Videos/Webpages

* *Grid and Transmission Program Conductor*
* Do you know which transmission and grid resilience financing program is right for your project? With more options now for financing and investment through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, as well as other existing DOE transmission and grid programs, the Grid and Transmission Program Conductor [ [link removed] ]?interactive tool can help identify which opportunities may be best suited to bring your project to fruition.


* *A Community Benefits Plan (CBP)*
* CBP is a required application component for many DOE funding opportunities. The specific CBP components may vary based on the source of the funding. The two recorded presentations below provide potential applicants with information about the CBP requirement and how to submit a strong CBP in a funding application.
* The *Community Benefits Plan 101 Informational Video* [ [link removed] ] describes CBP requirements that align with demonstration and deployment projects.
* The *Research and Development CBP webinar* [ [link removed] ] describes CBP requirements specific to research and development projects within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.


* *Shopping Tips for Solar*
* Many Minnesota residents are deciding to make use of the IRA tax incentives to power their homes with solar and take advantage of its numerous benefits, including?cost-savings on electricity bills that accrue over the lifetime of the solar system.?As more people choose solar energy, the increase in popularity has opened the door for some bad actors who are spreading misinformation and engaging in fraudulent business practices. Every solar company has a responsibility to be honest and upfront with consumers, but to avoid scams, consumers should also be on the lookout for red flags as they plan to go solar.
* Click here [ [link removed] ] to find more information including a list of commonly asked questions for homeowners.

* *Streamlining Solar Permitting *
* SolarAPP is a free tool for government offices that issue solar permits. The APP reduces workflow by up to 90%.? ?
* Click here for more information [ [link removed] ]

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Guidance on IRA Tax Credit Programs

* *USDA Pocket Guides on the IRA*
* The USDA Rural Development Innovation Center, in partnership with the US Department of Energy, US Department of Treasury, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Economic Development Agency, created pocket guides to highlight the many programs that rural communities may be able to take advantage of as they work toward building a stronger workforce, a more resilient economy, and making climate-smart investments.
* *Selected Federal Support** for Clean Energy by Potential Uses* | English [ [link removed] ] | Espanol [ [link removed] ]
* *Selected Federal Support for Clean Energy by Applicant Types* | English [ [link removed] ]| Espanol [ [link removed] ]


* *25C Tax Credit Qualifications for Home Energy Audits*
* The U.S. Internal Review Service (IRS) released IRS Notice 2023-59 [ [link removed] ], which specifies requirements for U.S. taxpayers to claim the ?Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit? under section 25C of the U.S. tax code for home energy audits. The Notice, "Guidance on Requirements for Home Energy Audits for Purposes of the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit under Section 25C", builds upon guidance issued in December 2022 by the IRS and Treasury Department in a Fact Sheet [ [link removed] ] (FS-2022-40), which addresses ?frequently asked questions about energy efficient home improvements and residential clean energy property credits.?


* *Low-Income Communities Bonus Energy Investment Credit Program *
* Frequently Asked Questions [ [link removed] ]
* The IRS issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) regarding the low-income communities' bonus energy investment credit program (also called the low-moderate income, or LMI, Adder) under the Inflation Reduction Act. This document first provides a high-level summary of what the NOPR covers, followed by a more in-depth review of the NOPR in the form of an FAQ.

* *Climate Program Portal*
* The Inflation Reduction Act is one year old on August 16, 2023. To coincide with this anniversary, the Climate Program Portal [ [link removed] ] has officially been opened. The Portal tracks $412 billion in funding across 137 programs.? Most features on the Portal web-site (like the Spotlight Stories, Technical Assistance Directory, Media Pulse, Library, and Calendar) will now be accessible to all site visitors, though some features will require user log-in.

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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 [email protected].

*Subscribe* [ [link removed] ]








*Minnesota Department of Commerce | Energy Division
*85 7th Place East, Suite?280 | St. Paul, MN 55101*
*Email: [email protected]
Local: 651-539-1886 |?Greater MN: 1-800-657-3710

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