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May 3, 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.
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!
US Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Programs
The U.S Department of Agriculture has several energy-related programs that have recently awarded financing incentives to rural entities.
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Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) assists agricultural producers and rural small business owners in making energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy investments to lower energy costs, generate new income, and strengthen the resiliency of their operations. This funding is provided by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) as grants, loans, or a combination of both.
- On April 23, 2024, the USDA also announced more than $4 million in awards to 10 Minnesota entities under the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP). The HBIIP facilitates the expansion of biofuel infrastructure to broaden the availability of renewable fuels like E15, E85, and B20. These grants help lower out-of-pocket costs for transportation fueling and distribution facilities to install and upgrade biofuel-related infrastructure such as pumps, dispensers and storage tanks.
The USDA has a Rural Investments Visualization Dashboard for tracking awards by state, made under the various USDA Rural Development Programs. Information is updated monthly and represents a running total for investments made under a specific federal fiscal year (FFY), which runs from October 1 to September 30. Data can be found for FFY 2012 through the current year in progress (FFY 2024). The Dashboard can be accessed here, with a quick reference guide available here.
DOE Announces $28 million to Decarbonize Domestic Iron and Steel Production
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University of Minnesota, Minneapolis - was awarded $2,924,514 under the Revolutionizing Ore to Steel to Impact Emissions (ROSIE) program to support work on a fully electrified microwave hydrogen plasma process to replace blast furnace technology. The technology will use blast furnace and direct reduction grade iron ore concentrates, eliminating the emissions associated with the pelletization, sintering, and coke-making steps in the conventional blast furnace process.
The 13 projects selected for award by DOE’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) will advance zero-process-emission ironmaking and ultra-low life cycle emissions steelmaking, change iron and steelmaking processes and effect the entire supply chain from ore to steel production.
DOE’s Advance Processing of Rare Earth Elements and Critical Minerals for Industrial and Manufacturing Applications
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Microbeam Technologies Incorporated of Minnetonka has received an award from DOE's Fossil Energy and Carbon Management to receive a grant of $2,499,978. The Production of Germanium and Gallium Concentrates for Industrial Processes project will demonstrate, at bench-scale, the ability to extract and produce high purity gallium and germanium from a lignite-derived, mixed rare earth element concentrate obtained from selected gallium and germanium rich lignite carbon ore.
DOE Solar District Cup Collegiate Design Competition Class of 2023 - 2024
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Macalester College, St Paul – won second place in the Miami University of Ohio Use Case Division of the Solar District Cup. The Cup competition challenges student teams to design and model solar-plus-storage systems to meet the energy needs and decarbonization goals of campus, Tribal, and urban mixed-use districts, and is designed to inspire students to consider new career opportunities, learn industry-relevant skills, engage with the professional marketplace, and prepare to lead the next generation of distributed solar energy.
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 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)
- Communities Taking Charge Accelerator
- Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grants
- Regional Scale Collaboration to Facilitate a Domestic Critical Minerals Future” Carbon Ore, Rare Earth, and Critical Minerals (CORE-CM) Initiative
- WASTE: Waste Analysis and Strategies for Transportation End-Uses
- Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy Exploratory Topic M: H2SENSE
- Photovoltaics Research and Development
Notice of Intent
- Offshore Wind National and Regional Research and Development
- Grid Preparation for a Net-Zero Economy
Request for Information (RFI)
- Future Innovation needs for Responsible Mining of Critical Minerals (FIRM-CM)
- Clean Energy Supply Chain Analysis
Tribal Governments Funding Opportunities & Items of Interest
- Opportunity for Tribes to Sell Renewable Energy Credits Under Indian Energy Purchase Preference
Technical Assistance
- Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project: Coastal, Remote, and Island Community Technical Assistance
Webinars
- Building Climate Resilient Communities: Frontline Experiences and Real-World Solutions
- Beyond Grants: Federal Funding for School Facilities
- I2X Solution e-Xchange: Introducing the DOE Transmission Interconnection Roadmap
- Cash for Communities: Leveraging Historical Federal Funds for Racial, Economic, and Climate Justice
- Using LIHEAP and WAP to Expand Low-Income Solar Access
- How Automakers are Approaching Vehicle-to-Everything
- Batteries 101, Part 1: An Introduction to Energy Storage and Massachusetts’ Battery Storage Programs and Policies
- State Strategies to Support the Growing Clean Energy Workforce
Workshops, Meetings, Conferences
- Presentations from the 2024 Better Buildings, Better Plants Summit
- CLEANPOWER 2024 Conference and Exhibition
Publications/Videos/Webpages
- Green Upgrade Calculator
- NREL OpenPATH
- Environmental Justice Clearinghouse
- Perceptions of Large-Scale Solar Projects Neighbors: Results from a National Study
- Solar Pathways in Federal Energy Assistance Programs: Expanding the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Weatherization Program (WAP)
- 2024 Minnesota Energy Factsheet
- DOE Information Resource to Inform Stakeholder Conversations about Clean Hydrogen
- EPA Annual US Greenhouse Gas Inventory
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IIJA Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA)
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Communities Taking Charge Accelerator
- DE-FOA-0003214
- Deadlines: Concept Paper: May 20, 2024 | Application: July 16, 2024
The DOE’s Joint Office of Energy and Transportation has opened the application period for this Accelerator program to support local communities. $54 million in funding is available for investment in local-level projects focus on: 1) addressing key barriers to expanding access to electrified mobility options for individuals without home charging; 2) accelerating the transition to electrified micro, light, and medium duty fleets; 3) maturing the implementation of managed charging systems to mitigate impacts and optimize grid use. Specific topic areas of interest are:
Topic Area 1: Solving for No-Home Charging: Expanding Charging Access for Privately Owned E-Mobility
Topic Area 2: Expanding E-Mobility Solutions through Electrified Micro, Light and Medium-Duty Fleets
Topic Area 3: Managed Charging for Clean Reliable Energy
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IRA Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA)
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Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grants (IRA 60101)
The EPA will award up to $932 million in support of zero-emission vehicle projects benefitting communities disproportionately burdened by air pollution. The EPA is providing two separate competitions under this single NOFO to meet the needs of diverse potential recipients and encourage participation in the CHDV Grants. States, municipalities, Indian Tribes, and nonprofit school transportation associations can apply for these grants. Project submissions will fit under one of two sub-programs: 1) the School Bus Sub-Program (for applicants replacing school buses), and 2) the Vocational Vehicles Sub-Program, (for applicants replacing non-school bus Class 6/7 vehicles).
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Other Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA)
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Regional Scale Collaboration to Facilitate a Domestic Critical Minerals Future: Carbon Ore, Rare Earth, and Critical Minerals (CORE-CM) Initiative
The DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management has released an opportunity for funding support of research and development projects focused on regional development of critical mineral supply chains from unconventional and secondary feedstocks. There is $60 million in funding available, with one award expected to go to a research team in each of eight U.S. regions; Minnesota is in Region 3. The primary objective is to award funds for R&D to each regional coalition team to develop and implement regional strategies for producing critical minerals and materials (CMM) and valuable, nonfuel carbon-based products. Specific tasks for each region include: 1) Project Management and Planning; 2) Regional Resource Assessment and Initial Planning. Successful applicants will have access to relevant basin data collected during Phase 1 of the CORE-CM program.
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WASTE: Waste Analysis and Strategies for Transportation End-Uses
The DOE’s Offices of Bioenergy Technologies and Vehicle Technologies expects to make $17.5 million available for up to 14 awards varying between $500,000 and $2 million. This FOA is focused on the utilization of organic waste streams from food waste, wastewater sludge, and industrial operations for conversion into transportation fuel products, and includes two topic areas: Topic Area 1 - Feasibility Study Development Analysis; and Topic Area 2 - Design Work and Experimental Validation. Local community leadership from municipalities, counties, Tribal governments, non-profit groups, and/or community-based organizations is expected to be included in submitted proposals.
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Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy Exploratory Topic M: H2SENSE
The DOE’s Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) seeks to fund the development and validation of technologies that can detect the release of hydrogen from production, transportation, and storage infrastructure. The focus is on the full supply chain of hydrogen for energy systems from production to end use. Cost-effective, accurate measurements of hydrogen gas will facilitate detection and mitigation of direct emissions. New technologies to improve hydrogen emissions detection are needed to maximize the climate benefits of hydrogen production. This FOA has five technical performance targets: 1) Emission Rate Estimation Accuracy; 2) Operational Conditions; 3) Leak Detection Alarm; 4) Leak Localization; 5) Cost Constraints and one non-mandatory target of Low Leak Rate Detection.
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Photovoltaics Research and Development
- DE-FOA-0003337
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Deadlines: Letter of Intent: June 12, 2024 | Concept Paper: July 1, 2024 | Application: September 16, 2024
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Webinar: May 8, 2024 | 3:00 PM CT | Register
The DOE’s Solar Energy Technologies Office has announced the 2024 Photovoltaics Research and Development (PVRD) funding opportunity, which will award up to $20 million for innovative solar photovoltaics research and development that reduces the cost of PV modules, reduces carbon and energy intensity of the PV supply chain and manufacturing process, and optimizes PV technology for new, specialized markets. Topic Areas:
Topic Area 1: Photovoltaic Advances in Cell Efficiency, Reliability, and Supply Chain (PACERS): This topic will fund innovative solar cell R&D, with a particular focus on crystalline silicon, III-V, organic PV, and R&D aimed at decarbonizing the crystalline silicon supply chain.
Topic Area 2: Building Academic Capabilities in Cadmium Telluride: This topic will fund innovations in cadmium telluride R&D at universities and nonprofit research organizations that require upgraded equipment.
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Notice of Intent (NOI)
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Grid Preparation for a Net-Zero Economy
The DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy intends to issue multiple FOAs for over $100 million for field demonstration and research to support planning and operation of the electric grid. The anticipated FOAs include:
Connected Communities 2.0, which will leverage foundational approaches from existing Connected Communities projects to advance solutions for the grid edge—where electricity distribution transitions between the utility and the customer—at community scale, integrating buildings and transportation, community renewables, and storage technologies.
Solar Technologies’ Rapid Integration and Validation for Energy Systems (STRIVES), to develop and demonstrate technology and market tools for better integration of distributed energy resources including solar, wind, and energy storage.
SuperTruck Charge, which will address the challenges associated with vehicles-to-grid integration and large-scale charging installations for medium- and heavy-duty trucks.
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Offshore Wind National and Regional Research and Development
The DOE’s Wind Energy Technology Office intends to issue a FOA for research to advance offshore wind. The FOA will provide $48 million for projects in six topic areas:
Topic Area 1: Floating Offshore Wind Platform Research and Development
Subtopic 1a: Refinement and Innovation in Floating Platform Design, Manufacturing, and Deployment
Subtopic 1b: Next-Generation Integrated Turbine/Platform Research
Topic Area 2: Innovation for Fixed-Bottom Offshore Wind Foundation Types and Supporting Infrastructure
Topic Area 3: Technology Advancement for Bird and Bat Research Offshore
Topic Area 4: Development of a Manufacturing and Supply Chain Offshore Wind Consortium Based in the Great Lakes Region
Topic Area 5: Floating Offshore Wind Center of Excellence
Topic Area 6: Protecting the Future Offshore Wind Fleet against Lightning
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Request for Information (RFI)
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Future Innovation needs for Responsible Mining of Critical Minerals (FIRM-CM)
The DOE’s Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) is soliciting input on innovative technologies and approaches for resource exploration, discovery, appraisal, mining, and processing of critical minerals from universities, non-governmental organizations, small businesses, large businesses, federally funded research, and development centers, and government-owned/government-operated organizations.
RFI questions are categorized into four groups, and it is not expected that respondents will answer all questions, though citations are encouraged.
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Clean Energy Supply Chain Analysis
- RFP Information
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Deadline: June 10, 2024 submitted through the online portals listed in the RFP or electronically to [email protected] with “Supply Chain RFP” as the subject.
The DOE’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) is soliciting feedback from industry, academia, labor unions, and state, local, tribal and territorial governments, and other stakeholders on issues related to clean energy supply chains. MESC has developed a supply chain analysis framework for 20 clean energy technologies across production and generation, transmission and distribution, and key end markets. Respondents should only provide information on components for which their organization has direct experience.
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Tribal Governments Funding Opportunities & Items of Interest
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Opportunity for Tribes to Sell Renewable Energy Credits Under Indian Energy Purchase Preference
- View the Solicitation
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Deadline: June 24, 2024
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Office hours: The DOE Federal Energy Management Program and the Office of Indian Energy are holding office hours on this topic on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 12:00 PM CT Register.
The U.S. General Services Administration has opened a solicitation for 47,500 MWh of clean energy credits from Tribes. Tribal-majority-owned businesses that generate carbon pollution-free electricity, or compile certificates of clean energy generation, are eligible to compete for the procurement. This includes both new electric generation resources and new electric generation capacity modifying an existing resource to increase output.
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Technical Assistance
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Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project: Coastal, Remote, and Island Community Technical Assistance
The DOE’s Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP) works with coastal, remote and island communities to transform energy systems and increase energy resilience. ETIPP offers energy planning for communities and technical assistance for specific energy projects. Communities with an existing and current energy plan or specific project may engage in detailed technical assistance. Communities without an energy plan will engage in an energy planning process with ETIPP prior to embarking on technical assistance for specific energy projects.
To be eligible a community must match one of the following:
- It is located on an island.
- It is within 50 miles of a coastline (includes Great Lakes Region).
- It is a federally recognized tribe in an ETIPP-supported region (includes Great Lakes Region)
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Webinars
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Building Climate Resilient Communities: Frontline Experiences and Real-World Solutions
Canary Media brings together experts in community development to explore the challenges facing frontline communities, the role financial institutions play in supporting equitable development, and solutions to advance a green transition.
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Beyond Grants: Federal Funding for School Facilities
The DOE Schools program, in partnership with UndauntedK12 and Center for Green Schools will provide an overview of new clean energy tax credits for schools. Schools are now eligible to receive a non-competitive cash payment from the IRS for eligible clean energy investments, including for up to 70% cash reimbursement.
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I2X Solution e-Xchange: Introducing the DOE Transmission Interconnection Roadmap
This DOE Roadmap identifies solutions to enable renewable energy interconnection processes to meet the expected demand from the rapid, widespread energy transition. Will Gorman from Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and will provide an overview of the roadmap and lay the foundation for our future conversations.
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Cash for Communities: Leveraging Historical Federal Funds for Racial, Economic, and Climate Justice
As a result of the Inflation Reduction Act, tax-exempt entities like local governments, schools, hospitals, public housing administrators, public utilities, and community organizations can get Direct Pay tax credits when they build renewable energy projects like solar, wind, or electric vehicle charging stations. Join the Local Progress Impact Lab and the Congressional Progressive Caucus Center to learn more about Direct Pay and hear examples of how cities and counties can seize this opportunity.
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Using LIHEAP and WAP to Expand Low-Income Solar Access
The Clean Energy States Alliance will host a webinar to have the authors of the report, Solar Pathways in Federal Energy Assistance Programs: Expanding the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), discuss their findings and their exploration of effective ways that WAP and LIHEAP state agencies can bring solar to their clients.
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How Automakers are Approaching Vehicle-to-Everything
Canary Media will host a discussion with GM Energy, BMW, EnergyHub, and RMI on the challenges of enabling EVs to maximize driver satisfaction while also becoming EV-based virtual power plants.
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Batteries 101, Part 1: An Introduction to Energy Storage and Massachusetts’ Battery Storage Programs and Policies
Hosted by Clean Energy States Alliance, webinar panelists will discuss how batteries can be used to create more resilient energy systems at utility, residential, and commercial scales. Topics will include battery storage basics, the role of battery energy storage in the Massachusetts decarbonization plan, and available battery incentives and technical support.
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State Strategies to Support the Growing Clean Energy Workforce
The National Clean Energy Workforce Alliance will present a presentation from the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) and feature a panel of state leaders to discuss various strategies that State Energy Offices are using to support workforce development.
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Workshops/Meetings/Conferences
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Presentations from the 2024 Better Buildings, Better Plants Summit
The DOE 2024 Better Buildings, Better Plants Summit offered more than 50 sessions with over 140 speakers on topics such as decarbonization, energy efficiency, renewable energy, the Inflation Reduction Act, project financing and others. These presentations are now available for viewing at the link above.
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CLEANPOWER 2024 Conference and Exhibition
The American Clean Power Association’s annual conference will feature panels, presentations, workshops, and poster sessions on the renewable energy industry, including land-based wind energy, offshore wind energy, distributed wind energy, solar power, energy storage, and transmission. DOE’s Collegiate Wind Competition 2024 final event will be taking place at the conference.
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Publications/Videos/Webpages
This calculator, developed by Rocky Mountain Institute and a host of partners, helps contractors determine how much money and reduced CO2 emissions heat pumps, solar panels and EVs can save households. Economic and climate benefits are hard to come by, but this free calculator helps determine lifetime costs and emissions savings of common home-decarbonization upgrades, versus those of conventional fossil-fuel replacements.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL) OpenPATH allows people to track their travel modes (car, bus, walking, etc.) and measure their energy use and carbon footprint. The NREL OpenPATH tool features continuous data collection and analysis via a smart phone app backed by a server and automated data processing. OpenPATH allows communities to collect and understand their own travel data while achieving place-based, relevant sustainable mobility goals.
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Environmental Justice Clearinghouse
The EPA has created this online collection of environmental justice resources as a public, internet-based, whole-of-government clearinghouse composed of culturally and linguistically appropriate and accessible materials related to environmental justice.
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Perceptions of Large-Scale Solar Projects Neighbors: Results from a National Study
The DOE researchers from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory published study results from a national survey looking at the experiences and perceptions of people living within three miles of large-scale solar energy plants.
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Solar Pathways in Federal Energy Assistance Programs: Expanding the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Weatherization Program (WAP)
Researchers from the DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory studied the challenges and barriers to implementing solar energy among people in the LIHEAP and WAP programs.
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2024 Minnesota Energy Factsheet
Published by Clean Energy Economy Minnesota, the Minnesota Energy Factsheet is a companion to the 2024 Sustainable Energy in America Factbook. Compiled by research firm Bloomberg New Energy Finance for the Business Council for Sustainable Energy, the Factbook outlines key trends influencing national and state investment and economics, energy supply, and energy demand. The Factsheet provides a fact-based overview of Minnesota’s energy sector, presenting key metrics and highlighting recent trends.
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DOE Information Resource to Inform Stakeholder Conversations about Clean Hydrogen
The DOE’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO) has published a valuable new webpage providing thorough, scientifically based information in response to an initial collection of high-priority questions asked about hydrogen in community engagements across the U.S.
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EPA Annual US Greenhouse Gas Inventory
The EPA’s Annual Inventory of US Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks provides a national-level view of greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 to 2022.
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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].
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