energy specific funding opportunties




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March 29, 2024

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

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*40101(d) Grid Resilience Utility Grant Program: Strengthening the Reliability and Resiliency of Minnesota?s Electrical Grid**? *

The Department of Commerce will host an upcoming webinar discussion to update utility stakeholders about the anticipated Request for Proposals for the BIL ? 40101(d) Strengthening the Reliability and Resiliency of Minnesota?s Electrical Grid program. Commerce will be seeking input from utilities in Minnesota to inform the development of the RFP and identify the technical assistance?and planning resources needed by utilities in preparation for proposal development. This webinar will be the beginning of ongoing discussions to shape the future of this?grant program and to move Minnesota toward a stronger and more resilient electrical grid.?

The department will provide guidance and assistance for completing applications. Watch for an official webinar announcement and sign-up information soon.??

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*Notice of Request for Information: Community Solar Garden Study?*

*Deadline: April 12, 2024?*

During the 2023 Legislative session, the Minnesota Legislature made changes to the Community Solar Garden statute (Minn. Stat. 216B.1641 [ [link removed] ]). These legislative updates include sunsetting the ?Legacy? program operated by Xcel Energy and establishing a new program [ [link removed] ] to be administered by the Minnesota Department of Commerce (Department).?

That bill included a provision requiring the Department to contract with a third party to study the new Low and Moderate-Income Accessible Community Solar Garden Program (LMI-Accessible CSG Program) overseen by the Department. The study will conclude with a report to the legislature that includes:?


* A comparison of the program with similar programs operated in other jurisdictions, including a comparison of program structure, the manner in which applications are submitted and reviewed, how related infrastructure upgrades are prioritized and funded, and how regulations and penalties are structured.?
* An analysis of the cost to ratepayers of operating the community solar garden program and a comparison with the cost to ratepayers of other potential options for encouraging adoption of solar electricity generation in this state.?
* An analysis of how the community solar program impacts interconnection and infrastructure upgrade needs and challenges.?

The Department is now seeking input to inform the solicitation and hiring of a third party to study the LMI-Accessible CSG Program. We invite community partners, contractors, technical experts, developers, and the public to provide input to inform the Request for Proposals.??

This RFI is for information gathering purposes only and should not be construed as a solicitation or obligation on the part of Minnesota Department of Commerce to provide funding. All comments received, including attachments and other supporting materials, are part of the public record and subject to public disclosure. Respondents should only submit information they wish to make publicly available and should not enclose any information considered confidential or inappropriate for public disclosure.??

Submit written feedback on this form [ [link removed] ] by Friday, April 12, 2024.?

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*State Competitiveness Fund Announcements: Selections for the Local Grant Development Assistance Grants and the Match Program Standard Response Round. ?*

Commerce has recently completed the award process for two grant programs offered under the State Competitiveness Fund. Selectees have been announced for the Local Grant Development Assistance program and for the second application round of the SCF Match program, the Standard Response Round.

In accordance with requirements set forth in Minnesota Statutes ? 216C.391, subd. 7, Commerce has published three reports regarding the SCF programs.? These reports can be reviewed for detail on Commerce?s activities in 2023 on all SCF programs as well as for additional information on the two completed SCF Match Program application rounds.???


* The State Competitiveness Fund 2023 Annual Report provides information on Commerce?s development work and status updates covering all SCF programs. It was submitted to Legislature in early March 2024. The Annual Report is available for viewing here. [ [link removed] ]
* The Notification Report to the Legislative Advisory Commission regarding the SCF Match Program Quick Response Round was submitted to the Legislative Advisory Commission on January 23, 2024; the full Notification can be found here. [ [link removed] ]
* The Notification Report to the Legislative Advisory Commission regarding the SCF Match Program Standard Response Round (application round #2) was submitted to the Legislative Advisory Commission on March 8, 2024; the full Notification can be found here. [ [link removed] ]

*Local Grant Development Assistance*?

The Local Grant Development Assistance program increases the competitiveness of entities across Minnesota in accessing federal funding by providing funding support to organizations providing grant development assistance to those seeking federal funds. Twenty-five applicants were selected to share the $6 million in appropriated funds. Award amounts range from $100,000 to $290,000. For more details on the Local Grant Development Assistance grant program, and for the full list of entities selected, click here. [ [link removed] ]

*Match Program: Standard Response Application Round*

Selectees to receive fund reservations under the SCF Match Program Standard Response Application Round have been announced. Funding reservations totaling $46,320,136.00. were allocated to 60 applicants with the individual awards ranging from $50,000 to $2.2 million. The average award size was $772,002.? Additional details on the SCF Match Program along with the full list of entities selected under the Standard Response application round of the SCF Match Program can be found by clicking on the Notification Report link above.???

*A third application round for the SCF Match Program is expected to be offered in the future, under which at least $34,562,796 will be available* for reservation by entities who have applied for, intend to apply for or have already received federal funding awards.? To stay up-to-date on this future round, subscribe [ [link removed] ] to the Energy Specific Funding Opportunities Newsletter.??

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*Energy-related Funding Awards to Minnesota Entities*

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!*

*Funding Selections for Clean Hydrogen Electrolysis, Manufacturing, and Recycling Activities under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law*

The DOE?s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office recently announced $750 million in funding for 52 projects [ [link removed] ] across 24 states to advance electrolysis technologies and improve manufacturing and recycling capabilities for clean hydrogen systems and components.


* *Cummins Electrified Power NA, Inc. *? Fridley, MN - Electrolyzer Manufacturing $17.9 million
* *3M Company* - St Paul, MN ? Electrolyzer Components - $5 million

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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 energy 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 ]


* Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation (RECI)
* FY 2024 Reaching a New Energy Sciences Workforce (RENEW)
* FY 2024 Funding for Accelerated, Inclusive Research (FAIR)
* Maritime Administration?s Port Infrastructure Development Program
* Solar and Wind Interconnection for Future Transmission (SWIFTR)
* Renew America?s Schools: Announcement regarding new funding model
* Off-Farm Labor Housing Direct Loans and Grants

Notice of Intent [ #NoticeofIntent ]


* High Performance Computing for Energy Innovation (HPC4EI) Initiative
* Voluntary Carbon Dioxide Removal Purchasing Challenge (CO2RP)
* Funding and Technical Assistance to Support Community-Led Clean Energy Transitions

Request for Information (RFI) [ #RequestforInformation ]


* Request for Information on the J3400 Connector and Potential Options for Performance-Based Charging Standards

Guidance on IRA Tax Credit Programs [ #taxes ]


* Elective Payment of Applicable Credits ? Final Regulations
* Election to Exclude Certain Unincorporated Organizations Owned by Applicable Entities from Application of the Rules on Partners and Partnerships

Incentive Payments [ #IncentivePayments ]


* Hydroelectric Incentives Program

Prizes/Awards [ #PrizesAwards ]


* 2024 Renew America?s Schools Prize
* American-Made Solar Photo Competition: Hit Me with Your Sun Shot
* American-Made Upskill Prize for the Solar Manufacturing Workforce
* Electronics Scrap Recycling Advancement Prize (E-SCRAP)

Technical Assistance [ #TechnicalAssistance ]


* Waste-to-Energy Technical Assistance for State, Local and Tribal Governments
* Hydropower: Call for National Lab Technical Assistance
* Community Change Equitable Resilience Technical Assistance

Webinars [ #webinars ]


* Including Underrepresented Communities in the Energy Transition: Pathways and Challenges to Impactful Community Engagement
* Workshop on Funding to Repair and Improve Housing for Farmworkers

Workshops, Meetings, Conferences [ #workshops ]


* 2024 National Energy Codes Conference
* Clean Fuels & Product Shot Summit
* BRIDGES Bioenergy National Laboratory Case Study Faculty Workshop ? Deadline Extended

Publications/Videos/Webpages [ #videos ]


* What?s so Critical about Critical Materials?
* 2023 Billion-Ton Report (BT23)
* Pathways to Commercial Liftoff: Next-Generation Geothermal Power
* Community Solar: Expanding Access and Safeguarding Low-Income Families





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*IIJA Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA)*

* *Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation (RECI) -? ?**Section 40511*
* DE-FOA-0003225 [ [link removed] ]
* *Deadlines: *Concept Paper: April 5, 2024 | Application: June 6, 2024

DOE?s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERC) has opened the second round of funding under the Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation program with $90 million in funding available.? Individual awards from $500,000 to $10 million will be to selected project teams ready to advance energy codes within a particular region, state, or local jurisdiction. ?As in the first round, a state agency or Tribal government agency must be a partner in the RECI proposal.? The number of interest areas on which DOE is seeking proposals has doubled:? ?

~ State and Local Code Adoption

~ High Impact States and Local Jurisdictions*

~ Rural Communities*

~ Tribal Governments*

~ Workforce Development

~ Implementation and Compliance

~ Innovative Approaches

~ Utility Data and Partnerships*

~ Energy, Equity, and Environmental Justice

~ Partnerships

* Indicates new area of interest since previous RECI FOA.

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* *Maritime Administration?s Port Infrastructure Development Program ? BIL 54301 *
* FY24 Port Infrastructure Development Program [ [link removed] ]
* *Deadline: *May 10, 2024

The US Department of Transportation has opened an opportunity with up to $450 million in funding for projects related to loading, unloading, and movements around a port, operational improvements, environmental emissions mitigation, port operations or intermodal connections, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthening infrastructure resilience to hazards including climate change in a port facility. Port facilities on the Great Lakes are eligible to apply. Examples given of energy-related operational improvement projects include:? 1) port electrification or electrification master planning; 2) development of port or terminal microgrids; 3) provision of idling reduction infrastructure; 4) worker training to support electrification technology; 5) electric vehicle charging or hydrogen refueling infrastructure for drayage and medium or heavy-duty trucks and locomotives that service the port and related grid upgrades.

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* **Renew America?s Schools: *Announcement regarded new funding model*

The $500 million Renew America?s Schools Program promotes the implementation of clean energy improvements at K-12 public schools across the country.? The program launched its first round of funding in 2022 and has since invested $182.5 million in public school districts across America, via the Energy Class Prize and the Renew America?s School grant program. The 2024 Program is implementing a new funding model for program ? a Prize to Cooperative Agreement model ? which streamline the application process, expedite the award process, and provide winners earlier and more targeted support. Up to $15+ million is available for successful applicants who proceed through Phase 1, 2 and 3 of the new funding model. *Find out the details of the just-opened Renew America?s Schools Prize competition in the Prizes section of this newsletter. *

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*Other Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA)*

* *FY 2024 Reaching a New Energy Sciences Workforce (RENEW) *
* DE-FOA-0003280 [ [link removed] ]
* *Deadlines:* Pre-Application: April 30, 2024 | Application: July 23, 2024

DOE?s Office of Science (SC) will implement the RENEW program to fund research traineeships at underrepresented academic institutions while leveraging the DOE national laboratories, facilities, and other research facilities to provide trainee opportunities for students and postdoctoral researchers. Placements will be either 2 or 3 years, depending on which tracks is pursued, with supporting funding from $100,000 to $2.25 million. Eligible applicants must support traineeships for students and postdoctoral researchers from non-R1 Emerging Research Institutions (ERIs) and non-R1 Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) in areas relevant to DOE Office of Science programs.

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* *FY 2024 Funding for Accelerated, Inclusive Research (FAIR) *
* DE-FOA-0003207 [ [link removed] ]
* *Deadlines: *Pre-Application: April 23, 2024 | Application: July 16, 2024

DOE?s Office of Science (SC) is initiating this FOA to build research capacity at institutions historically underrepresented in the SC portfolio, specifically non-R1 emerging research institutions (ERIs) and non-R1 minority serving institutions, through mutually beneficial relationships between applicants and DOE national laboratories, SC scientific user facilities, or R1 MSI/ERIs. SC supports fundamental research in applied mathematics, biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, geoscience, isotope research, materials science, fusion energy science, and physics to understanding and catalyze scientific discoveries that can lead to technical breakthroughs. All applications should focus on hypothesis-driven basic research. SC does not support applied research, product development, or prototyping.

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* *Solar and Wind Interconnection for Future Transmission (SWIFTR) *
* DE-FOA-0003246 [ [link removed] ]
* *Deadlines: *Concept Paper: April 17, 2024 | Application: June 28, 2024

DOE?s Solar Energy Technologies (SETO) and Wind Energy Technologies (WETO) Offices are soliciting proposals for projects to expedite future interconnections of wind, solar, and battery energy storage systems into the transmission system while preserving data security and system reliability. The FOA will provide $10 million to develop new analytical tools and approaches that will accelerate the reliable interconnection of renewable energy into the electrical grid. This FOA has two Topic Areas:

_Topic Area 1: _?Improved Efficiency of Electromagnetic Transient Simulations for Interconnection Studies of Inverter-based Resources. One to five projects at $1 to $2 million each.

_Topic Area 2:_ Dynamic Stability-Enhanced Network Assessment Tools. One to five projects at $1 to $2.5 million each.

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* *Off-Farm Labor Housing Direct Loans and Grants*
* USDA-RD-HCFP-OFFFLH-REPAIR-2024 [ [link removed] ]
* *Deadline: *June 18, 2024

USDA?s Rural Housing Service is accepting applications for Section 514 Off-Farm Labor Housing (Off-FLH) loans and subsequent Section 516 grants to improve, repair, or make modifications to existing Off-Farm Labor Housing Properties for fiscal year 2024. The maximum award may not exceed $40,000 per unit and is only available to current owners or borrowers of existing Off-FLH projects currently participating in Section 514 Off-FLH portfolio for the purpose of improving, repairing, modifying, revitalizing, and preserving the facility. Loans and grants will be scored and distributed competitively with a major focus on health, safety, and accessibility repairs (between 5 ? 35 points out of 100). Addressing climate change and environmental justice in an application may provide up to 10 points.

A webinar on this opportunity is scheduled for April 3; registration link can be found in the Webinar section of this newsletter.

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*Notice of Intent (NOI)*

* *Funding and Technical Assistance to Support Community-Led Clean Energy Transitions *
* Clean Energy to Communities Program: In-Depth Partnerships [ [link removed] ]
* The RFP is expected to open on April 1 and close on June 14, 2024.

DOE?s National Renewable Energy Laboratory has announced plans to issue a Request for Proposals for funding and in-depth technical assistance to assist 2 to 4 community teams develop decarbonizations and clean energy strategies. The opportunity will be part of DOE?s Clean Energies to Communities In-Depth Partnership program. Awards include up to $500,000 in subcontract?funding and up to $3,500,000 in the form of in-depth technical assistance from one or more national laboratories.

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* *High Performance Computing for Energy Innovation (HPC4EI) Initiative *
* HPC4EI NOI [ [link removed] ]

DOE?s High Performance Computing for Energy Innovation (HPC4EI) will issue a new solicitation in Spring 2024 focused on finding qualified industry partners to participate in short-term, collaborative projects with DOE National Laboratories in support of computing cycles and work performed by DOE National Laboratories, universities, and non-profit partners. Eligibility for the program is limited to entities that manufacture products or operate systems in the United States for commercial applications and to organizations that support these entities.

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Request for Information (RFI) [ #gd_top ]

* *Request for Information on the J3400 Connector and Potential Options for Performance-Based Charging Standards *
* Request for Information [ [link removed] ]
* *Deadline: **April 5, 2024 - *Go to "regulations.gov" [ [link removed] ] and follow the online instructions for submitting comments

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has issued regulations for minimum standards and requirements for certain electric vehicle (EV) chargers. Subsequent to publication of the final rule, the Society of Automotive Engineers published a Technical Information Report for the J3400 new connector standard, which automakers intend to adopt. The FHWA is seeking information on five areas relating to the J3400.

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* *Voluntary Carbon Dioxide Removal Purchasing Challenge (CO2RP) *
* Request for Information & Notice of Intent [ [link removed] ]
* *Deadline for Comments: *May 15, 2024 | submit comments electronically to "[email protected]" <[email protected]> and include ?Voluntary CDR Purchasing Challenge?

DOE?s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) is issuing this Notice of Intent (NOI) for a Voluntary Carbon Dioxide Removal Purchasing (CO2RP) Challenge. The CO2 RP Challenge encourages organizations to purchase small and increasing quantities of high-quality, permanent CO2 Removal (CDR) credits. The goal of the Challenge is to further private spending on removal credits by connecting suppliers and buyers, as well as creating a leaderboard of carbon removal purchases that will enhance market transparency.

FECM is seeking public input on how to structure the Challenge, as well as on interest in joining the Challenge when it formally launches. All interested parties, including public, private, and civil society organizations and carbon dioxide removal credit buyers and suppliers are invited to provide input, questions, and feedback on the Challenge.

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Guidance on IRA Tax Credit Programs

* *Elective Payment of Applicable Credits* *? Final Regulations *
* Final Regulations [ [link removed] ]

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Department of Treasury issued final regulations for applicable entities that earn certain clean energy credits and choose to make a direct payment election. Applicable entities include Tax-exempt organizations, state and local governments, Indian tribal governments, and rural electric cooperatives.

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* *Election to Exclude Certain Unincorporated Organizations Owned by Applicable Entities from Application of the Rules on Partners and Partnerships *
* Proposed Regulations [ [link removed] ]

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Department of Treasury issued proposed regulations regarding elections by certain unincorporated organizations that are owned by one or more applicable entities to be excluded from the application of the partnership tax rules. These proposed regulations would provide certain exceptions to the existing regulations for these unincorporated organizations and would allow such entities to make a direct payment election. This rule is intended to provide further clarity and flexibility for applicable entities that co-own clean energy projects and would like to utilize direct pay.

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Incentive Payments

* *Hydroelectric Incentives Program 2023 ? IIJA 40331 *
* DE-FOA-0003349 Section 242 [ [link removed] ]
* *Deadline: **April 23, 2024*

DOE?s Grid Deployment Office (GDO) administers the Hydroelectric Production Incentives which provide payments to an owner or authorized operator of a hydroelectric generation facility for energy generated and sold during a calendar year. Electrical power produced from a hydroelectric generation facility placed in operation on or after October 1, 2005, and on or before September 30, 2027, is eligible for consideration of incentive payments for up to 10 consecutive fiscal years.

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Prizes

* *2024 Renew America?s Schools Prize *
* Information & Guidelines [ [link removed] ]
* *Deadline: *June 13, 2024

DOE?s Office of State and Community Energy Programs has opened the second round of funding for the Renew America?s Schools Program. The 2024 Prize will invest in school facilities that demonstrate the need for both energy improvements and financing, with a focus on Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) that qualify as disadvantaged and/or rural. During Phase 1, competitors will build teams and create lists of schools/school facilities that demonstrate both need and eligibility for investment. Each Phase 1 Winner will earn a cash prize of $300,000 and move on to Phases 2 and 3, during which they will enter and execute a Cooperative Agreement with DOE. Awards made in Phases 2 and 3 range from $7.5 million to $15 million. DOE will issue the largest awards to portfolios serving 20 or more schools/school facilities, offering a total of $15,300,000 to winners in this category for completing all three phases.???

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* *American-Made Solar Photo Competition: Hit Me with Your Sun Shot *
* Information & Rules [ [link removed] ]
* *Deadline: *May 23, 2024

DOE?s Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) is searching for the best photos of solar energy to bring attention to and document solar energy?s importance in the clean energy transition. Winners can receive up to $2,500 for a photo in one of the eight categories. Submissions will be judged based on emotional appeal and impact, composition, content, technical quality, and originality. The contest is open to professional and amateur photographers.

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* *American-Made Upskill Prize for the Solar Manufacturing Workforce *
* Information & Rules [ [link removed] ]
* *Deadline: *May 21, 2024

DOE?s Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) has launched the new $5 million Upskill Prize to help bolster the solar manufacturing workforce. This prize targets the U.S. solar photovoltaics (PV) module supply chain, addressing critical workforce needs. Competing teams propose workforce training plans that are composed of either/or new or incumbent worker training. The prize requires partnerships between US manufactures, training organizations and non-profit, non-federal government organization, or academic institutions. ?

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* *Electronics Scrap Recycling Advancement Prize (E-SCRAP) *
* Information & Rules [ [link removed] ]
* *Phase 1 Deadline: *September 4, 2024
* *Webinars: *March 27, 2024 | 1:00 PM CT | Register [ [link removed] ] and June 18, 2024 | 11:00 AM CT | Register [ [link removed] ]

DOE?s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) has launched the first of three phases of the E-SCRAP which will award up to $4 million to competitors to increase the recovery and use of critical materials from electronic scrap.

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Technical Assistance

* *Waste-to-Energy Technical Assistance for State, Local and Tribal Governments *
* Information & Application [ [link removed] ]
* *Deadline: *April 15, 2024

DOE?s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have launched the 2024 Waste-to-Energy Technical Assistance program. Eligibility for the program has expanded to include state governments and provides counties, municipalities, and Tribal governments with relevant data for decision making. BETO will provide subject matter assistance on topics including waste resource information, infrastructure considerations; techno-economic comparison of energy and resource recovery options; evaluation and sharing of case studies from similar communities/projects; and equity assessments.

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* *Community Change Equitable Resilience Technical Assistance ? IRA *
* Information & Technical Assistance Request Form [ [link removed] ]

Communities that are eligible and intend to apply for EPA?s Community Change Grants, are located in a disaster-prone area, and are categorized as a disadvantaged community are encouraged to apply for this EPA Technical Assistance opportunity, which offers design and project development assistance, community engagement, and workshops supporting climate resilience and environmental justice activities in disaster-prone areas. Technical assistance is expected to be available to up to 50 recipients for climate resilience projects that could include a focus on new or expanded green infrastructure, open spaces, and/or retrofits of existing community buildings to address climate change impacts such as extreme heat and more intense heat islands, wildfire and smoke, floods, storms, or other climate impacts that pose a greater risk to disadvantaged communities.?

Disaster prone areas can be found by using one or multiple of the following tools:

* FEMA?s Community Disaster Resilience Zones [ [link removed] ](CRDZ); or

* Climate Mapping for Resilience and Adaptation [ [link removed] ](CMRA); or

* Narrative about additional disaster risk and climate hazards, which EPA will confirm using NOAA's Hazard Mapping System Fire and Smoke Product [ [link removed] ], CDC's?Heat and Health Tracker [ [link removed] ], and EPA?s?EJScreen [ [link removed] ],?Air Now [ [link removed] ], and?Climate Change Indicators [ [link removed] ]

Please see the IRA Disadvantaged Communities Map [ [link removed] ]?to determine if your project site is located in a disadvantaged community.

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* *Hydropower: Call for National Lab Technical Assistance *
* Information & Webforms [ [link removed] ]
* *Deadline: *Statement of Interest: April 1, 2024 | Application: May 23, 2024

The DOE Water Power Technologies Office has announced a Call for National Lab Technical Assistance to assist the hydropower industry with decision making on development of hydropower hybrids and pumped storage power (PSH). ?Statements of Interest are sought in *both* topic areas for _Sub-topic 1A) Tool Use_ and_ Sub-Topic 1B) Deeper Dives_

_Hydro hybrids:_ The hydro hybrids tool [ [link removed] ] assists industry partners in the decision to hybridize hydropower plants. This topic solicits industry, utility, and other potential TA recipients with hydropower equities to apply for technical assistance by submitting a?Statement of Interest (SOI) [ [link removed] ]?for the specific sub-topic area.

_Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH):_ The?Pumped Storage Hydropower Valuation Guidebook ? A Cost-Benefit and Decision Analysis Valuation Framework [ [link removed] ], provides a step-by-step valuation guidance to assess the value of existing or potential new PSH plants. This topic solicits PSH developers, owners, or other entities with equities in PSH to apply for technical assistance by submitting a?Statement of Interest [ [link removed] ] for the specific sub-topic area.

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Webinars

* *Including Underrepresented Communities in the Energy Transition: Pathways and Challenges to Impactful Community Engagement *
* April 2, 2024 | 1:00 PM CT | Information & Registration [ [link removed] ]

The Center for Resources Solutions will host a panel to discuss examples of renewable energy projects that provided meaningful inclusion of underrepresented communities.

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* *Workshop on Funding to Repair and Improve Housing for Farmworkers*
* April 3, 2024 | 1:00 PM CT | Register [ [link removed] ]

The USDA will host this workshop for potential applicants of the Off-Farm Labor Repair Housing Direct Loans & Grants Program. [ [link removed] ]

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Workshops/Meetings/Conferences

* *Clean Fuels & Product Shot Summit *
* April 8 - 9, 2024 | Virtual Event | Register [ [link removed] ]

DOE?s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy will host the Clean Fuels and Product Shot Summit [ [link removed] ], a virtual event to focus on the objectives, progress, priorities, and future plans for the seventh DOE Energy Earthshot. [ [link removed] ] Targeting an 85% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, the Clean Fuels and Product Shot will utilize sustainable carbon sources to reach 100% of projected demand for aviation fuel; 50% of maritime, rail and off-road fuel; and 50% of carbon-based chemicals.

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* *2024 National Energy Codes Conference *
* May 6 ? 8, 2024 | Sacramento, CA | Information & Registration [ [link removed] ]

The DOE?s National Energy Codes Conference is focused on building energy codes and performance standards. The conference will present information on code related funding opportunities from the BIL and IRA, building performance standards, decarbonization, resilience and more.

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* *BRIDGES Bioenergy National Laboratory Case Study Faculty Workshop ? _Deadline Extended _*
* Information & Application [ [link removed] ]
* *Extended Deadline: *March 30, 2024
* May 15 ? 17, 2024 at Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont, Illinois

College faculty are invited to this DOE sponsored FREE workshop that will include a focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Training in the Bioenergy Research Education and Bridge (BRIDGES) Program case studies will be included along with tours of the Argonne Lab. Travel support is available for those located more than 50 miles from the Argonne Lab.

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Publications/Videos/Webpages

* *What?s so Critical about Critical Materials? *
* Critical Materials 101: Part One [ [link removed] ]

DOE?s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office has shared the first of a five-part animated video series, Critical Materials 101. This video provides information about critical material use and importance.

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* *2023 Billion-Ton Report (BT23) *
* 2023 Billion-Ton Report [ [link removed] ]

The DOE released the 2023 Billion-Ton Report which states that the U.S. can triple biomass production to over 1 billion tons per year which would satisfy airplane fuel demands while decarbonizing the aviation industry. The report discusses biomass production of sixty resources including winter oilseed crops, trees and brush, and cultivated seaweed.

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* *Pathways to Commercial Liftoff: Next-Generation Geothermal Power *
* Download the Full Report [ [link removed] ]

DOE has released the latest "Pathways to Commercial Liftoff" report which focuses on next-generation geothermal power. Showing how advanced geothermal technology can increase domestic geothermal energy, the report suggests a twenty-fold increase to 90 gigawatts are possible by 2035.

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* *Community Solar: Expanding Access and Safeguarding Low-Income Families *
* Download the Document [ [link removed] ]

Published by the National Consumer Law Center, this report presents model community solar consumer protections, best practices, and state policies to ensure equitable outcomes for low-income participants.

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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 [email protected].

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*Minnesota Department of Commerce | Energy Division
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*Email: [email protected]
Local: 651-539-1886 |?Greater MN: 1-800-657-3710

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