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.
Announcements: Department of Commerce Energy Programs
State Competitiveness Fund Programs
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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. (Reference Number COMM_SCF_01_20230918)
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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
- 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
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.
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]
To attend remotely, please register here. You will receive a link to join the meeting.
Additional information can be found on the MNCIFA webpage 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.
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
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.
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 in regard to Staff’s Proposed Decision through November 17, 2023.
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]: 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!
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EPA Environmental Justice Government to Government Grants (EJG2G) – EPA Region 5
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Project Name: Justice40 Minnesotans Navigating Climate Action
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Selectee Name: Minnesota Department of Commerce
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Location: State of Minnesota
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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
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Selectee Name: The Prairie Island Indian Community
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Location: Welch, MN
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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.
- 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
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Rural Energy for America Program Technical Assistance Grant
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Project Name: Energy Smart
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Selectee Name: Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
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Location: Greater Minnesota
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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.
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)
- DOE Extends Deadline for Wholesale Market Program Concept Paper
Notice of Intent
- IEDO Fiscal Year 2024 Cross-Sector Technologies
Request for Information (RFI)
- Grid Integration of Solar Energy Systems and Other Inverter-based Resources
- Transmission System Interconnection Roadmap Draft
Guidance on IRA Tax Credit Programs
- Energy Efficient Home Credit (45L)
Student Scholarships/Competitions/Fellowships
- Renewable Energy Scholarship Foundation
- 2024 Marine Energy Graduate Student Research Program
Webinars
- Residential Storage – An Essential Piece of the Climate Puzzle
- Clean Fuels and Product Shot: Alternative Sources for Carbon-based Products
Publications/Videos/Webpages
- 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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