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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 energy programs.
Coming Soon! New Minnesota State 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 (see table below).
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.
Seeking Feedback from Energy Auditors
The Department of Energy National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is seeking input on resources and tools that help energy auditors be successful while in the field. Your insights will help NREL compile a more comprehensive and effective resource library.
The feedback form should take 5-10 minutes to complete. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact [email protected]
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.
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Partner Lists
- Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Partner Connection Forms
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Prizes/Awards
- Heliostat Prize
- Historically Black Colleges and Universities Clean Energy Education Prize
- Geothermal Collegiate Competition
- The Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Prize
- American-Made Solar Prize Round 7
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Student Scholarships/Competitions/Fellowships
- Science and Technology Policy Fellowship
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Webinars
- Clean Energy Projects on Former Mine Lands
- Equitable Workforce Development
- Community Engagement and Innovation
- The Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Potential of Solar
- Rural Clean Energy Funding Opportunities Across Federal Agencies Webinar
- Paying for Home Decarbonization and Electrification – Addressing Cost Questions
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Workshops, Meetings, Conferences
- EPA Training on Pass-Through Grant Applicants, Recipients, and Subrecipients
- EPA Training on Procurement, Subawards, and Participant Support Costs
- Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure National Conference
- Justice40 Accelerator
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Publications/Videos/Webpages
- Wood Heater Challenge Workshop Report
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IIJA Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA)
- Consumer Electronics Battery Recycling, Processing, and Battery Collection
- DE-FOA-0002897
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Deadlines: Concept Paper: August 17, 2023 | Application: November 29, 2023
- DOE’s $125 million Consumer Electronics Battery Recycling, Reprocessing, and Battery Collection funding opportunity is an essential part of the $7 billion authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to grow and secure America’s battery supply chain. Topic areas funded through this opportunity will include:
- Develop and implement education and/or behavior change campaigns to increase participation by consumers in existing battery recycling programs,
- Improve the economics of recycling consumer electronics batteries to spur greater market demand for battery recycling,
- Assist states and local governments in establishing or enhancing battery collection, recycling, and reprocessing programs,
- Help retailers implement programs to collect, sort, store, and transport consumer electronics batteries.
- Projects selected for this funding must advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility; contribute to energy equity; and invest in America’s workforce.
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Non-IIJA Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA)
- Wood Heater Innovation Collaborative
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Deadline: Concept Paper: August 11, 2023 | Proposals: November 3, 2023
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Webinar: June 16, 2023 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM CT register
- At least $4 million will be available for this competitively selected Cooperative Research and Development Agreement call, and up to four projects will be selected with a project duration of 12-18 months. Applicants will work collaboratively with Brookhaven National Lab and Lawrence Berkeley National Lab to develop a scope of work and appropriate budget and to leverage their unique expertise to develop and validate the performance of innovative wood heater technologies. Research projects may include the following:
- Improving performance of commercial wood heaters through design optimization/modifications,
- Developing and validating performance of wood heater retrofit devices,
- Developing and validating performance of post-combustion wood heater technologies (e.g., catalysts ESPs), and
- Supporting field testing to better quantify heater performance, including advising on data collection of best practices and equipment, interpreting data collected, and understanding how collected data could be used to improve heater performance.
- To apply, visit the Wood Heater Innovation Collaboration website.
- Battery Research and Development Consortium
- DE-FOA-0002965
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Deadline: Application: September 8, 2023
- The Advanced Battery R&D Consortium funding opportunity will provide up to $60 million to convene major manufacturers of electric drive vehicles in the U.S., universities, National Laboratory partners, mineral and material suppliers, and other key battery stakeholders to address critical battery needs for the next phase of widescale EV commercialization.
- The consortium seeks to advance battery R&D that is relevant and responsive to the needs of EV manufacturers, and to further develop a domestic battery supply chain and recycling capabilities that are essential to meeting the rapidly growing demand for EV batteries. The consortium will be integral to DOE’s efforts to develop advanced transportation technologies that will help decarbonize the transportation sector and significantly reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign oil.
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IRS Tax Credits Guidance (Direct Pay/Transferability)
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IRS Tax Credits Guidance (Direct Pay/Transferability)
- Treasury and the IRS issued proposed guidance on elective pay and transferability mechanisms established under the Inflation Reduction Act that will help states, local governments, non-profits, and other eligible entities access clean energy tax credits.
- Stakeholder briefing on the guidance will be held on June 29, 2023 at 2:00 PM CT Register here
- The proposed rules for elective pay and transferability will each be open for public comment for 60 days, (until August 14), and the IRS plans to hold public hearings later this summer to provide further opportunity for stakeholders to comment.
- The proposed regulations can be found here and transferability here. In addition to the Treasury press release, you can find FAQs and fact sheets that outline key information contained in the proposed guidance. You can also find helpful information on gov/directpay.
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Notice of Intent (NOI)
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Industrial Thin-Film Photovoltaic Research, Development, and Demonstration
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DE-FOA-0003060 FOA expected release is September 2023 - DE-FOA-0003058
- This notice of intent to release a funding opportunity announcement for $36 million for research, development, and demonstration projects on two major thin-film photovoltaic (PV) technologies: metal halide perovskites and cadmium telluride.
- $20 million of this opportunity will fund projects on industrial perovskite PV research and development to enable future commercialization by reaching specific thresholds of efficiency, long-term reliability, manufacturability, and economic viability.
- $16 million of this opportunity will fund projects to advance cadmium telluride (CdTe) PV research, development, demonstration, and commercialization across the materials, equipment, installation, and performance monitoring supply chain to improve the competitiveness of the domestic CdTe PV industry.
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Request for Information (RFI)
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Pilot-Scale Validation of Clean Energy Technology Components and Subsystems
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Deadline: July 31, 2023
- View the request for information on OCED Exchange here
- The Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations 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.
- Specifically, DOE is looking for insights on the following:
- Funding amount needed for a typical pilot-scale validation project
- Preferred type of funding mechanism and application process
- Needs for technical, business, and commercialization assistance
- Recommendations on how to ensure the program can be accessed by a diverse pool of applicants and reduce barriers to participation of disadvantaged businesses in the clean energy industry ecosystem
- Opportunities to ensure the program can benefit every American and every community.
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Incentive Payments
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Section 40333/EPAct Section 247 - Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity Incentives MODIFICATION
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Deadlines: Mandatory Letter of Intent: June 22, 2023 | Full Application: June 23 – October 6, 2023
- Application Guidance
- The Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity Incentives was created to maintain and enhance hydroelectric facilities to ensure generators continue to provide clean, affordable electricity, while integrating renewable energy resources such as wind and solar, improving dam safety, and reducing environmental impacts.
- Modification on June 13, 2023 clarified the timeline for the start and completion of projects (started and completed within three years after projects are selected for an incentive payment).
- An information webinar was held on Wednesday, May 24, 2023. The presentation slides are available click here
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Partner Lists
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Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Partner Connection Forms
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Deadline: June 19, 2023
- EPA has announced the opportunity for potential applicants, coalition members, and partners of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) grant competitions to identify each other in advance of applying to the $14 billion National Clean Investment Fund (NCIF), the $6 billion Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA), and/or the $7 billion Solar for All (SFA) competitions.
- EPA plans to publish the Notice of Funding Opportunities for each GGRF grant competition and begin accepting applications this summer. For more details on the GGRF grant programs click here.
- Interested parties should fill out the below form(s) corresponding to the various competitions by June 19, 2023. Shortly after this deadline, parties who provide their contact information will receive a list of all parties who are interested in discussing partnerships.
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Prizes/Awards
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Heliostat Prize
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Deadline: August 31, 2023 - Sign up and learn more
- The U.S. Department of Energy announced two initiatives to expand its research and development in heliostats. In concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP), heliostats are devices that tilt mirrors to track the sun and reflect sunlight toward a receiver, where it can be stored as heat for long-duration energy storage and converted into electricity.
- This prize contest offers a total of $3 million in cash prizes for innovations and credible concepts for technology supporting the advancement of heliostat technologies, with up to three winners. Competitors can win up to $580,000 in cash across the three phases of the prize contest.
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Phase 1 “Concept” – 7-9 teams can win $100,000 for credible concepts for technology supporting the advancement of heliostat technologies.
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Phase 2 “Design” – 4-6 teams advance and win $180,000 based on design and modeling of the components from Phase 1.
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Phase 3 “Assess” – Build prototypes, perform initial testing of the components from Phase 2, and finalize design. DOE expects to award $300,000 in prizes to 2-3 winners.
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Historically Black Colleges and Universities Clean Energy Education Prize
- Clean Energy Education Prize
- The $7.75 million prize competition will support the creation of clean energy community networks to inspire the next generation of students to work in science, technology, engineering, and technology (STEM) fields related to clean energy.
- The prize is open to all 100+ HBCU institutions across the United States, and schools are eligible to compete in one or both prize tracks:
- The Inspire Track supports the development and expansion of HBCU-hosted clean energy summer or academic break programs for K-12 and community college students. Submissions open for this track in May 2023 and close in August 2023.
- The Partnership Track supports building partnerships between HBCUs and other universities to provide opportunities that will equip HBCU students with the skills needed to succeed in the clean energy industry. Submissions open for the Partnership Track in September 2023.
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Geothermal Collegiate Competition
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Registration: Opens August 1, 2023
- Fall 2023 Geothermal Collegiate Competition Rules
- The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Geothermal Collegiate Competition (GCC) invites teams from collegiate institutions to develop real-world geothermal solutions while competing for cash prizes and gaining resume experience in the renewable energy industry.
- Registration for the Fall 2023 Geothermal Collegiate Competition will open August 1, 2023. This year's competition will feature two tracks: Technical and Policy. Cash prizes of $10,000 for first place teams and $6,000 for second place teams will be awarded in each track. Final deliverables will be due December 2023, with an optional progress submission due in October 2023.
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The Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Prize
- First launched in January 2019, the Battery Recycling Prize has to date awarded $5.5 million for innovative solutions to collecting, sorting, storing, and transporting spent and discarded lithium-ion batteries. In recognition of its ongoing importance in informing larger battery recycling efforts, DOE is announcing $7.4 million to fund a new Breakthrough Contest, as well as Phase IV of the Prize.
- The Breakthrough Contest will incentivize the development of solutions that meet the overall Battery Recycling Prize goal. The Breakthrough Contest is open to industry entrepreneurs – including new or former Prize participants – and will bolster participation from new competitors while providing additional support to Phase III winning teams. Phase IV: Demonstration of Impact will challenge participants to prove how effectively their solutions contribute to moving spent or discarded batteries from consumers to recyclers across all commercial uses.
- The Battery Recycling Prize incentivizes American entrepreneurs to develop and demonstrate technologies that, when scaled, have the potential to profitably capture 90% of all discarded or spent lithium-based batteries in the United States for recovery of key materials for re-introduction into the domestic supply chain.
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American-Made Solar Prize Round 7
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Deadline: September 27, 2023 - Click here for more information
- DOE has launched this $4 million prize program designed to spur innovations in U.S. solar hardware and software technologies. Solar Prize competitors advance through three escalating challenges as they develop their concept from idea to product. Individually, each competitor can win up to $700,000 in cash and $150,000 in technical support vouchers over the course of the three main Contests.
- New this year is the Power-Up Contest, which is designed to support and advance new and diverse teams that have compelling applications but are not selected as Ready! Contest winners. These teams will represent individuals with diverse expertise, perspectives, and experiences. DOE expects to select up to 10 teams based on their initial submission package to split a prize pool of $100,000 and receive tailored business development support to boost their viability for future competitions.
- Entrepreneurs, students, professors, small business owners, researchers at national laboratories, and other solar innovators based in the United States can apply.
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Scholarships/Student Competitions/Fellowships
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Science and Technology Policy Fellowship
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Deadline: July 15, 2023
- Solar Energy Technology Office is seeking applicants with bachelor, master, or Ph.D. degrees, as well as established professionals, with expertise in the following areas:
- Photovoltaic technologies
- Concentrating solar-thermal power technologies
- Grid systems integration technologies
- Behavioral science, strategic analysis, and technical assistance
- Manufacturing and technology transfer
- Environmental justice and finance
- Communications, graphic design, and stakeholder engagement
- This is a paid opportunity to learn about the federal government and its role in advancing renewable energy. Fellows will play an integral role in designing and implementing national research and development strategies and programs to make solar energy more affordable and reliable.
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For more information click here |To apply click here
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Webinars
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Clean Energy Projects on Former Mine Lands
- July 12, 2023 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM CT
- Learn about potential environmental liabilities associated with developing clean energy on mine land.
- Register now
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Equitable Workforce Development
- July 5, 2023 | 1:00 PM CT
- The ‘Building with Benefits’ webinar series invites community solar developers, community-based organizations, local and state government leaders, utilities, and other groups involved in developing or supporting community solar projects or programs to participate in this webinar to learn from leaders in the field and discuss best practices in building equitable community solar systems.
- Register here
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Community Engagement and Innovation
- July 12, 2023 | 1:00 PM CT
- The ‘Building with Benefits’ webinar series invites community solar developers, community-based organizations, local and state government leaders, utilities, and other groups involved in developing or supporting community solar projects or programs to participate in this webinar to learn from leaders in the field and discuss best practices in building equitable community solar systems.
- Register here
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The Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Potential of Solar
- June 20, 2023 | 12:00 PM CT, Zoom
- Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership Adaptation in Action Webinar Series
- Mitigation and adaptation are distinct tasks but where possible we should pursue opportunities that can yield both. Solar, if deployed deliberately, is one such opportunity.
- Register here
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Rural Clean Energy Funding Opportunities Across Federal Agencies
- June 27, 2023 | 1:00 PM CT
- The webinar will introduce the wide array of new and existing clean energy funding opportunities across federal agencies that are eligible to rural stakeholders, including farmers, homeowners, businesses, local governments, manufacturers, and nonprofits. An overview of over a dozen programs covering the eligibility, funding scale, and timelines for each program will be provided.
- Register here
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Paying for Home Decarbonization and Electrification – Addressing Cost Questions
- June 22, 2023 | 12:00 PM CT
- The cost to implement deep energy retrofits and fully electrify a home can prove challenging to homeowners. Join this Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call to learn what additional financing approaches are available.
- Register here
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Workshops/Meetings/Conferences
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EPA Training on Pass-Through Grant Applicants, Recipients, and Subrecipients
- June 20, 2023 | 2:00 – 3:00 PM CT
- The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will host a virtual training for EPA grant applicants and recipients that plan to use EPA funding to provide grants to other entities through “subawards.” At least one EPA program for which states are eligible that includes a subaward/subrecipient component is the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant This EPA training will focus on: oversight responsibilities of EPA pass-through entities; federal regulations that govern pass-through entities and the recipients of subawards (subrecipients); and EPA’s specific requirements for subrecipients. EPA pass-through entities, which include states, are encouraged to share this training information with their subrecipients as well.
- Register here
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EPA Training on Procurement, Subawards, and Participant Support Costs
- June 27 | 12:30 – 1:30 PM CT
- EPA will host a virtual training on procurement regulations and requirements. Specific topics for this training will include: best practices for contracts, consultants, equipment, and supply purchases; review of subawards (grant awards provided by a pass-through entity to a subrecipient); and participant support costs (payments to individuals who participate in grant activities but are not employees of the grant recipient).
- Register here
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Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure National Conference
- July 13 – 14, 2023, Arlington, VA | conference website
- The National Association of State Energy Official (NASEO), in partnership with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and U.S. Joint Office of Energy and Transportation will host an Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure National Conference.
- The meeting will convene officials from state and federal agencies, local governments, as well as representatives from utilities and key private-sector partners to share successful EV infrastructure planning and deployment models, hear the latest guidance and insights from federal partners, and explore solutions for technical and administrative challenges facing EV infrastructure planning and implementation under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program and other Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act-supported EV programs.
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Justice40 Accelerator
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Deadline: Application: July 31, 2023
- Over 100 grassroots organizations have learned how to successfully tap into the benefits of the Justice40 Initiative to get funding for their climate justice solutions. Now in its third year, the Justice40 Accelerator is ready to take on the next cohort of community-based, community-led organizations that are ready to advance their work on the frontlines. In addition to a $25,000 unrestricted grant to support participation, Accelerator members will receive in-depth training on public grant requirements, learn best practices for submitting federal project proposals, have direct access to technical assistance, and become a part of a network of climate justice activists.
- To get more information, click here
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Publications/Videos/Webpages
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Wood Heater Challenge Workshop Report
- A new report from the Wood Heater Design Challenge Workshops is now available and provides a summary of activities and outcomes from the event. The report summarizes main priorities and outcomes of the three workshop themes:
- Advances in wood heater design and technology
- Advances in instrumentation used for wood heater testing and field data collection
- Adoption of new wood heater technology and integration with other renewables
- Get the report here
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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 at [email protected].
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