Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Other Federal Funding Announcements

The federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), became law on November 15, 2021. The Minnesota Department of Commerce is dedicated to making the most of this historic opportunity to build a stronger, more resilient Minnesota. We look forward to working with local and Tribal governments, utilities, businesses, communities and other entities interested in energy-related partnerships to protect the health, safety and energy security of all Minnesotans.

The IIJA authorized billions of dollars in funding opportunities across a wide variety of infrastructure subject areas, including Energy-related infrastructure. Funding opportunities authorized under IIJA include grid modernization, new electric transmission, energy system resiliency and reliability updates, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, improvement to the energy efficiency of buildings, smart manufacturing, carbon capture and carbon utilization projects, renewable energy technologies and demonstration projects and other innovative initiatives.

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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 IIJA Web-page or by clicking the links below.

--Section 40101(d): Preventing Outages and Enhancing the Resilience of the Electric Grid/Hazard Hardening

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has opened the application period for Section 40101(d): Preventing Outages and Enhancing the Resilience of the Electric Grid/Hazard Hardening formula grants; proposals are due by September 30, 2022.

Reach out to IIJA Initiatives Project Manager, Kellye Rose at: [email protected] if your entity is interested in the Section 40101(d) IIJA-funding opportunity. Please include information on your proposed project, your funding proposal, your organization and contact information.

--Section 40314 Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs

The U.S. Department of Energy issued a?Notice of Intent (NOI)?for the $8 billion competitive grants under Section 40314 Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program as part of the IIJA.?The DOE Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) plans to issue the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) in the September/October 2022 timeframe. The timeline for responding to FOAs is generally 60 days.?

--EPA Clean School Bus Program: 2022 Clean School Bus Rebates

EPA?s new Clean School Bus Program provides $5 billion over the next five years (FY 2022-2026) to replace existing school buses with zero-emission and low-emission models. EPA is offering $500 million in the 2022 Clean School Bus Rebates for zero-emission and low-emission school bus rebates as the first funding opportunity. The application deadline is August 19, 2022.

Learn whether your school-district has been prioritized for assistance and information on rebate informational webinars offered by clicking?here.?

--National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program

U.S. Department of Transportation?Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is requesting comments on a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program. Comments must be received on or before August 22, 2022.? Learn More

Future IIJA-funding opportunities

Here are just a few of the many upcoming funding opportunities:

Section 40103: Program Upgrading Our Electrical Grid and Ensuring Reliability and Resiliency;?RFI expected to be released in Q3 2022
Section 40104: Carbon Capture Demonstration Projects Preventing Outages and Enhancing the Resilience of the Electric Grid Grants;?FOA expected in Q1 2023

Section 40103: Energy Improvement in Rural and Remote Area;?FOA expected to be released in Q3 2022

Section 40541: Grants for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Improvements at Public School Facilities;?FOA expected to be released in Q3 2022

It will take time for the federal government to issue the necessary details, guidance and applications for all the competitive funding opportunities authorized by the IIJA. For more background on upcoming opportunities and to aid in initial project planning, interested stakeholders should explore the?U.S. Department of Energy Bipartisan Infrastructure Law website.

Resources

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law ?How-To? Guidebook Available from White House.?The White House released a?Bipartisan Infrastructure Law guidebook?to help potential applicants plan and prepare to apply. This guidebook is a roadmap on upcoming funding opportunities, as well as an explanatory document on program-level direct federal spending. The link to the guidebook is also found on the IIJA Build.gov web-site.

Additional Resources for Tribal Nations

The White House, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Tribal Guidebook
The White House, Fact Sheet |?Administration release Tribal Playbook
U.S. Department of Energy |?Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs?resources and upcoming events
U.S. Department of Interior Native Communities Federal Programs

Ask us! The MN Commerce Department is your partner for energy specific IIJA funding opportunities

Interested in partnering with the Department of Commerce around funding opportunities? Have questions? Send an email, detailing the program, your organization and contact information to IIJA Initiatives Project Manager, Kellye Rose:?[email protected].

Minnesota Department of Commerce
85 7th Place East, Suite 280
St. Paul, MN 55101

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