Grid Resiliency Grant

The Grid Resiliency Grant is an upcoming funding initiative administered by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce through its State Energy Office. Designed to strengthen energy resilience in the state, this program will provide grants to qualifying energy entities for implementing infrastructure and operational measures that mitigate the risk of energy disruption. As of the latest update on November 4, 2025, no official funding opportunities have been released, but the department is expected to open a Pre-Concept Proposal Form submission process in early 2026, signaling the initiation of a competitive award cycle. This grant program targets two main categories of applicants: general eligible entities and small utility companies serving 20,000 or fewer customers. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce will prioritize applicants who directly supply electricity to the public, particularly those functioning as public utilities or independent electric cooperatives. Additionally, applicants servicing rural populations, as defined by U.S. Census parameters, will receive special consideration. These preferences align with the state’s broader goal of increasing grid resilience in underserved and vulnerable regions. Allowable uses of grant funding include a broad range of resilience and hardening measures. Eligible projects may involve installing weatherization and fire-resistant technologies, upgrading utility pole management systems, relocating or replacing conductors, deploying distributed energy resources like microgrids, and implementing advanced monitoring, adaptive protection, and modeling technologies. Other fundable activities include vegetation management, infrastructure hardening, undergrounding cables, and workforce training and reskilling specifically tailored to energy resilience improvements. The funding caps vary by applicant type. General eligible entities can apply for up to $2,083,815 but must match 100% of the requested funds. Small utility companies may request up to $750,000, with a minimum cost match requirement of $250,000. This cost-sharing approach aims to ensure commitment and sustainability from awardees while maximizing the reach of the available funds. The application process will begin with the submission of a Pre-Concept Proposal Form, with full details on submission mechanics, required documents, and evaluation criteria to be released alongside the program launch. At present, there is no published timeline for award decisions or project performance periods. Interested applicants are encouraged to join the Oklahoma Energy Programs Alerts mailing list to receive program updates and notices. For additional information, applicants can contact Amanda Marcott-Thottunkal at energyprograms@okcommerce.gov or call 405-815-5374. As a recurring program that aligns with federal energy infrastructure priorities, the Grid Resiliency Grant is expected to establish an annual or periodic cadence, beginning with its anticipated debut in early 2026.

Preference given to rural-serving utilities and direct electricity providers.