This is part of a series of messages from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to share updates on relevant Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) information related to energy and sustainability. This series will occur monthly and provide a snippet of upcoming federal grants, trainings, and other resources.

See below for the July 2023 update in the BIL & IRA Resources Series. 

SURVEY: We need your feedback! Please respond to a short survey to help us evaluate our federal funding technical assistance work and improve the ways we’re supporting communities.

FEDERAL GRANT OPPORTUNITIES: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) launched the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program - Leading Edge Awards. This funding opportunity provides grants or loans to invest in energy efficiency, greenhouse gas emission reductions, energy generation, green and healthy housing, and climate resilience strategies in HUD-assisted housing. Applications were due July 31, 2023, for the first application period, and are due October 31, 2023, for the second application period.

The Weatherization Assistance Program - Enhancement & Innovation, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, has $25 million for projects that expand the impact of existing residential weatherization programs to enable deep energy retrofits of low‑income housing. Concept papers are due by August 31, 2023. 

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Program offers grants to build transportation infrastructure to reconnect communities, accelerate equitable community revitalization, and address harm from past infrastructure planning decisions. $198 million is available in the form of planning grants, capital construction grants, and regional partnership grants. Applications are due September 28, 2023. 

The Climate-Ready Workforce for Coastal States and Territories Competition, supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and U.S. Department of Commerce, will award and assist communities in coastal and Great Lakes states so they may form partnerships that train workers and place them into jobs that enhance climate resilience. Tribes, local governments, non-profits, and higher education institutions are eligible. Approximately $50 million is available and applications are due February 13, 2024.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has opened the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF). While only a few entities will be eligible for direct grants from GGRF, the resultant programs established by these entities will provide important funding and financing opportunities for communities. GGRF will be implemented via three grant programs:

• The Solar for All Grant Competition offers $7 billion to fund up to 60 states, tribes, local governments, or non-profits to expand existing or create new low-income solar programs. The deadline for local governments and non-profits is August 14, 2023. 
• The National Clean Investment Fund offers $14 billion to fund several national clean financing institutions that can provide accessible, affordable financing for tens of thousands of clean technology projects across the country. The deadline to apply is October 12, 2023.
• The Clean Communities Investment Center offers $6 billion to fund several non-profits to build the clean financing capacity of local community lenders working in low-income and disadvantaged communities. The deadline to apply is October 12, 2023.

TAX INCENTIVES: In addition to grants, the Inflation Reduction Act authorized billions of dollars in tax incentives. For the first time, tax-exempt entities – including tribes and local governments – have the opportunity to seize the direct monetary benefits of tax credits. The U.S. Conference of Mayors recently published a report that explores the potential of “direct pay” tax credits to shave millions off the cost of clean energy projects.

GRANT SUPPORT: Michigan local and tribal governments have the opportunity to get one-on-one technical assistance to help identify and apply for grants. Contact Kate Madigan ([email protected]), a consultant working with EGLE, to learn more. 

The Michigan Infrastructure Office also has a Technical Assistance Center that funds communities to directly contract with consultants through their Metropolitan Planning or Economic Development Organizations for grant writing, administration, and other services.