energy specific funding opportunties




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Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and other state and 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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Announcements: Department of Commerce Energy Programs

State Competitiveness Fund Programs

* *Local Grant Development Assistance Program*: The due date for application to the open Request for Proposals (RFP) program is Monday, November 13, 2023. The RFP can be accessed here. [ [link removed] ] [ [link removed] ] (Reference Number COMM_SCF_01_20230918)

 


* *Commerce Webinars on Match Program: *On October 26, 2023 Commerce issued a Request for Proposals for the State Competitiveness Fund Match Program.

The Department of Commerce invites you to join in a virtual discussion with state program staff on this open RFP. No registration is required; click on the link below to join on the day of the event.

-  Friday, November 17 from 10:00-11:00 AM CT Join Here [ [link removed] ]

-  Monday, November 20 from 10:00-11:00 AM CT (ONLY for members and representatives of Tribal Nations sharing geographic territory within the borders of Minnesota) Join Here [ [link removed] ]

Both meetings will be recorded, with the recording available after the meeting for those unable to attend. The agenda for the meetings includes a half-hour presentation to cover the items below, with a half-hour allocated for questions and answers.

- Review of the legislation and requirements;

- Review of the RFP, including discussion of required forms;

- Associated timelines for the two application rounds; and,

- Review of the List of Eligible Funding Opportunities, and the methodology for creation of the list.


* *Updates to the List* [ [link removed] ]* of Eligible Funding Opportunities for SCF1 Match Program*

Two new funding opportunities have been added to the List of Eligible Funding Opportunities for the SCF1 Match program; both of the funding opportunities added are from HUD and under the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program.  

If an opportunity is not listed on the list, but you believe it may qualify to be added, you may request inclusion by Commerce by submitting the opportunity title along with the IIJA or IRA Section or FOA # to:_ [email protected]_._

 

*Minnesota** Clean Innovation Finance Authority (MnCIFA) Board Meeting* 

During the 2023 Session, the Minnesota Legislature passed bills that created and funded the Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority (MNCIFA). The mission of MNCIFA, a publicly accountable financing authority commonly known in other states as a “green bank,” will be to accelerate the adoption of proven clean energy technologies and greenhouse gas reduction projects, to expand access to untapped markets and to bring benefits to historically underserved communities.

The 13-member Board of Directors has been appointed and  the initial meeting of the MNCIFA Board will occur on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 from 9:30-11:30 AM CT. The meeting will be held in person at the Minnesota Department of Commerce in the Golden Rule Building (85 7th Place East, Suite 280, St. Paul); a virtual attendance option is also available.

To attend in person, please email Caren Warner at [email protected] [ [link removed] ]

To attend remotely, please register here [ [link removed] ]. You will receive a link to join the meeting.

Additional information can be found on the MNCIFA webpage [ [link removed] ]maintained by the Department of Commerce. Information about the Governor’s appointees to the MNCIFA Board can be found on the Governor's appointments website [ [link removed] ].

 

*Solar for Schools: 2024 Program Updates Webinar*

The Minnesota Department of Commerce invites schools, stakeholders, solar developers, and other interested parties to attend a *Solar for Schools: 2024 Program Updates* webinar. 

*Date and Time:*  Tuesday, November 21, 2023, 1:30 PM CT | Registration [ [link removed] ]

The 2023 Minnesota Legislative Session made changes to the Solar for Schools program; included were consumer protections stipulations, and funding, eligibility, and program management changes. The *2024 Program Update* presentation will highlight the final programmatic changes, expected processes, and timelines for the 2024 program year, and time will be allowed for a brief Q&A period. 

The Department will begin accepting applications from newly eligible schools (e.g., schools located within Xcel Energy territory, Tribal Contract schools and Cooperative School Districts) beginning in January 2024.  

More information about the program can be found online at the Commerce’s Solar for Schools web page [ [link removed] ]. 

*Solar*Rewards 2024 Program Year: Public Comments Requested*

Xcel Energy filed its "2022 Annual Report "on June 1, 2023, and subsequently its "2024 Program Proposal "on September 1, 2023, with proposed changes to the Xcel Energy’s 2024 Solar*Rewards program.  The Department of Commerce Staff recommended in its "Analysis, Recommendations, and Proposed Decision, "filed October 20, 2023, that the Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Commerce approve with modifications the Company’s Annual Report and proposed 2024 program changes.  

The Department of Commerce is seeking public comments on these proposed changes and Commerce’s recommendation for approval. Reply comments may be submitted to Docket No. E002/M-13-1015 through the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission’s eFiling system [ [link removed] ] in regard to Staff’s Proposed Decision *through November 17, 2023.  *

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Energy-related Funding Awards to Minnesota Entities

Congratulations to the recent funding award recipients! To ensure we include your project award in future editions of our newsletter, please send the following information to [email protected]:  <[email protected]>Project title, award amount, total project cost, a brief description of the project, and funding program title and number. 

Read on to learn more about the most recent innovative Minnesota energy projects (listed by Funding Opportunity Program), and the funding they have been awarded.  *Congratulations to all the recipients!*


* *EPA Environmental Justice Government to Government Grants (EJG2G) – EPA Region 5*
* *Project Name: *Justice40 Minnesotans Navigating Climate Action
* *Selectee Name: *Minnesota Department of Commerce
* *Location: *State of Minnesota
* *Federal Cost Share/Award: *$1 million

*Summary:* Justice40 Minnesotans Navigating Climate Action (J40MNCA) builds broad, robust, and results-oriented partnerships between State departments and community-based organizations (CBOs) serving environmental justice communities in Minnesota. Through this project, the Minnesota Department of Commerce and the newly expanded Community Energy Collaborative (CEC) will partner to co-develop a Justice40 Leadership Academy and establish a demonstration Community-based Navigator Program. Partners will develop and test multiple ways to apply data, strengthen relationships, and build energy and environmental justice leadership capacity at the local and state level. Activities will result in key tools and processes that increase the integration of community input and justice considerations across the state government, provide a model for co-created program development, and increase equitable access to climate-based federal funding available through the Inflation Reduction Act.

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* *Project Name: *Tribal Home Energy Project to Upgrade Tribal Homes with Energy-efficient, Carbon Reducing Technologies
* *Selectee Name: *The Prairie Island Indian Community
* *Location: *Welch, MN
* *Federal Cost Share/Award:* $1* million*

*Summary:* The project addresses PIIC’s immediate need for energy efficiency, cost savings, and a safer, healthier living environment. The main objective is to upgrade homes with technologies that help tribal members eliminate fossil fuels, save money, reduce indoor pollutants, and improve health, and safety. Activities include: 1) stakeholder input; 2) outreach to create project awareness and encourage participation in the project; 3) public education about home energy; 4) home energy audits to identify efficient and cost-saving options; 5) small-scale construction and installation of system upgrades and energy-efficient, electrification, and renewable energy equipment; 7) quality inspections; and 8) assessment of project performance and progress.

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* *Energizing Rural Communities Prize*

This prize challenges individuals and organizations to develop partnership and financing strategies to support efforts in rural or remote communities to improve their energy systems and advance clean energy demonstration projects. Each of the 5 Minnesota winners will receive mentorship services worth $100,000.00, and eligibility to compete in phase two of the prize to win an additional $200,000. 

- Region Five Economic Development Organization: Making Mr. CEF'S (Minnesota Rural Clean Energy Finance) Capital Stack Burger

- White Earth Tribal and Community College and CERTs: Rural Clean Energy Training Pathways

- Region Nine Development Commission: Region Nine BioEconomy Development Zone

- Smart Grid, Magnolia, MN - Wireless Fault Indicator System

- The Morris Model Partnership (morrismodel.org), Morris, MN - The Morris Model Partnership Plan

 


* *Rural Energy for America Program Technical Assistance Grant*
* *Project Name: *Energy Smart [ [link removed] ]
* *Selectee Name: *Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
* *Location: *Greater Minnesota
* *Federal Award: *$200,000

*Summary:* The three-year grant will allow the Energy Smart program to identify energy efficiency projects and complete REAP applications for candidates in qualifying areas of greater Minnesota with a focus on small business energy efficiency projects. At least 40% of funding is reserved for technical assistance in distressed communities.

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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) [ #FOA1 ]


* DOE Extends Deadline for Wholesale Market Program Concept Paper

Notice of Intent [ #NoticeofIntent ]


* IEDO Fiscal Year 2024 Cross-Sector Technologies

Request for Information (RFI) [ #RequestforInformation ]


* Grid Integration of Solar Energy Systems and Other Inverter-based Resources
* Transmission System Interconnection Roadmap Draft

Guidance on IRA Tax Credit Programs [ #taxes ]


* Energy Efficient Home Credit (45L)

Student Scholarships/Competitions/Fellowships [ #ScholarshipsStudentCompetitions ]


* Renewable Energy Scholarship Foundation
* 2024 Marine Energy Graduate Student Research Program

Webinars [ #webinars ]


* Residential Storage – An Essential Piece of the Climate Puzzle
* Clean Fuels and Product Shot: Alternative Sources for Carbon-based Products

Publications/Videos/Webpages [ #videos ]


* Community Solar Best Practices Guide
* New White House Technical Assistance Guide
* EPA’s New User Guides for Inventory Tools
* EPA’s Capacity Building Through Effective Meaningful Engagement Booklet
* Energy Saver – Heat Pump Water Heaters





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*IIJA Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA)*

* *DOE Extends Deadline for Wholesale Market Program Concept Paper *
* *New Deadline: *November 17, 2023 for Concept Papers | Application: January 19, 2024
* DE-FOA-0003126 [ [link removed] ]

DOE’s Grid Deployment Office has announced an extension for the due date for receipt of concept papers under this $9 million funding opportunity. The WEMSE program will provide technical and financial assistance to states and regional system operators to perform analytical studies and ensure meaningful engagement in market activities, including interregional transmission planning. Activities under this program could include performing analytical studies on critical market issues, convening stakeholders, or increasing a state or region’s capacity to engage in market design reform efforts and stakeholder planning processes at a regional level. 

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*Notice of Intent (NOI)*

* *IEDO Fiscal Year 2024 Cross-Sector Technologies *
* DE-FOA-0003205 [ [link removed] ]
* When released: DE-FOA-0003206

On behalf of the Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office (IEDO), the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) has published their intent to issue a funding announcement called “IEDO Fiscal Year 2024 Cross-Sector Technologies FOA".  This FOA, expected in November of 2023, will focus on cross-sector decarbonization technologies and will address only a portion of the RD&D objectives IEDO will support in Fiscal Year 2024. *IEDO expects additional funding opportunities focusing on transformational technologies to address subsector-specific challenges in energy- and emissions-intensive industries.*

The FOA will advance the strategies identified in the Industrial Decarbonization Roadmap and support the goals of the Industrial Heat Shot through a focus on cross-sector approaches for industrial decarbonization. Cross-sector technologies are decarbonization-enabling components, equipment, and systems that underpin processes and products across the industrial sector. Topic areas in the FOA are expected to be: Topic 1: Electrification of Industrial Heat; Topic 2: Next-Generation Energy Systems; Topic 3: Decarbonizing Organic Wastewater and Wet Waste Treatment.

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Request for Information (RFI)

* *Grid Integration of Solar Energy Systems and Other Inverter-based Resources *
* DE-FOA-0003167 [ [link removed] ]
* *Deadline: *November 30, 2023

DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is issuing a request for information (RFI) on technical challenges and opportunities for grid integration of solar energy systems and other inverter-based resources, including photovoltaics (PV) and energy storage facilities connected to bulk power systems, distribution systems, microgrids, and behind-the-meter systems. This RFI intends to solicit stakeholder feedback from industry, academia, research laboratories, government agencies, end-user groups, and other relevant organizations related to the cost-effective and reliable integration of solar and other variable and power-electronic based energy sources onto the electric grid. Questions in the RFI span six topic areas addressing future scenarios with high levels of inverter-based resources and distributed energy resources:

1) System Planning 2) System Operation 3) System Resilience 4) Cybersecurity 5) Enabling Technologies -Power Electronics, Communication, Sensing, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning 6) Other Emerging Topics

 


* *Transmission System Interconnection Roadmap Draft*
* DE-FOA-0003220 [ [link removed] ]
* *Deadline: *November 22, 2023
* Download the Draft Roadmap [ [link removed] ]

The DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) has issued an RFI to solicit feedback from interconnection stakeholders on the challenges and solutions outlined in the draft.  [ [link removed] ] The Roadmap is intended to serve as a practical guide for bulk power system interconnection stakeholders to evaluate and implement readily available solutions for today’s generator interconnection challenges, to continue innovation in the coming years and to help the U.S. electricity system meet decarbonization goals. The Innovation e-Xchange (i2X) team is especially interested in feedback on the feasibility of implementing these solutions in the proposed timelines and in any important challenges, solutions, or topic areas that are not identified. Interconnection stakeholders include, but are not limited to, utilities, grid operators, grid reliability organizations, Tribal governments and utilities, Federal and state regulators, state and local governments, clean energy developers, energy justice groups, nonprofits, and trade associations.

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Guidance on IRA Tax Credit Programs

* *Energy Efficient Home Credit (45L) *Guidance [ [link removed] ]

The Treasury Department has released guidance on the New Energy Efficient Home Credit, which provides up to $5,000 to home builders to construct, reconstruct, or rehabilitate energy efficient homes.

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Scholarships/Student Competitions/Fellowships

* *Renewable Energy Scholarship Foundation *
* *Deadline: February 15, 2024 | *Application Information [ [link removed] ]

The Renewable Energy Scholarship Foundation [ [link removed] ] is now accepting applications for 2024 scholarships.  Scholarships of $2500 will be awarded to students committed to renewable energy with demonstrated success in academic pursuits in any aspect of renewable energy, from the sciences and relevant complementary fields like public policy, law, economics and sociology. There will be between 15 and 20 awards with at least one for a community college student, at least one other undergrad scholarship, one for an early grad student, three for diversity candidates, and two for Native American or Alaskan Native students.

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* *2024 Marine Energy Graduate Student Research Program*
* *Deadline: December 1, 2023 | *Application Information [ [link removed] ]

Applications are now being accepted by those interested in being chosen to participate in the Marine Energy Graduate Student Research Program [ [link removed] ]. Participants will conduct research at both their academic institution and at an external hosting facility carrying out research in marine energy and supporting the research plan submitted at the time of application. Hosting facility may be a government research facility, industry site (including but not limited to technology developers), or other host facility. Participants will spend a minimum of six months at the host facility, virtually or in person.

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Webinars

* *Residential Storage – An Essential Piece of the Climate Puzzle*
* *November 9, 2023 | 12:00 PM CT | *Register [ [link removed] ]

Join in as DOE’s Better Buildings Residential Network discusses residential solar storage as a game changer to meet climate and energy-efficiency goals in the face of unprecedented extreme weather. Personal and grid resilience, creation of microgrids, bidirectional charging will be discussed.  The benefits of residential solar storage are numerous and varied -  from preserving health by continuing to refrigerate medicine and maintaining healthy home temperatures, to being able to communicate with the outside world by simply being able to charge a phone during an outage.

 


* *Clean Fuels and Product Shot: Alternative Sources for Carbon-based Products*
* **November 28, 2023 | 3:00 PM CT | **Register [ [link removed] ]

The seventh initiative in the DOE's Energy Earthshots™ portfolio [ [link removed] ]*,* [ [link removed] ] the Clean Fuels & Products Shot™ focuses on decarbonizing the fuel and chemical industry through alternative sources of carbon to advance cost-effective technologies with a minimum of 85% lower greenhouse gas emissions by 2035.

During the webinar, speakers will provide information on how this initiative aligns with DOE’s broader Energy Earthshots™ portfolio, as well as goals, research and development focus areas, and potential impacts. Panelists will also discuss the importance of collaboration between the various DOE offices involved. The presentation will conclude with an audience questions & answers session.

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Publications/Videos/Webpages

* *Community Solar Best Practices Guide*

The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Community Solar Partnership released a Community Solar Best Practices Guide [ [link removed] ] with a focus on delivering meaningful benefits — like household savings, low-income access, resilience, community ownership, and workforce development – to households and communities through community solar. The guide provides specific examples and links to fact sheets on the projects and programs implementing them.

 


* *New White House Technical Assistance Guide*

The White House recently released a new technical assistance guide [ [link removed] ] that simplifies access to infrastructure, climate resilience, and clean energy funding for Tribes, states, local jurisdictions, and other communities. The guide provides comprehensive information about more than 100 federal technical assistance programs that can support efforts to win federal funding and deploy it in communities across the nation.

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* *New User Guides for Inventory Tools | *Access the Inventory Tools [ [link removed] ]

EPA’s State and Local Climate and Energy Program issued new user guides for the Local Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory Tool, which was developed to help communities across the United States to evaluate their greenhouse gas emissions. This free, interactive spreadsheet tool calculates GHG emissions for many sectors, including residential, commercial, transportation, and waste and water management. Updates include the creation of a data template and three technical guidance documents, including: 1) Guidance on incorporating energy sector data; 2) Guidance on incorporating National Emissions Inventory transportation data; 3) Guidance on incorporating agricultural and land management data.

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* *EPA’s Capacity Building Through Effective Meaningful Engagement Booklet*
* Download the Booklet [ [link removed] ]

EPA’s new booklet is intended to help local and state government officials create or expand their plan for engaging meaningfully with the communities most affected by their actions. Content includes approaches for impactful decision making, a roadmap to building trust within the community, and example engagement strategies. The examples in the booklet may help spark ideas for meaningful community engagement.

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* *Heat Pump Water Heaters*
* Download the Fact Sheet [ [link removed] ]

Most homeowners who have heat pumps use them to heat and cool their homes. But a heat pump also can be used to heat water—either as a stand-alone water heating system, or as combination water heating and space conditioning system. Download this fact sheet to learn more. Also check out this Heat Pump Water Heater Buyer's Guide. [ [link removed] ]

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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 and state energy 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].

*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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