Grid Enhancement Grant Subaward Program in Arkansas
The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) is offering up to $10.3 million through the Grid Enhancement Grant program, leveraging federal funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). This initiative aims to enhance and modernize America's power grid, particularly in Arkansas, by strengthening its resilience against natural disasters and reducing the impact of electric outages. The program is aligned with a broader mission to improve the reliability of the electric grid, protect against outages, and support economic development through grid infrastructure improvements. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant are the residents of Arkansas, especially those in communities more susceptible or vulnerable to electric power outages. The impact goals are to increase grid resilience, reduce the frequency and duration of sustained interruptions, and decrease the number of customers affected by all-hazard events. The program also seeks to encourage investments into the state’s grid workforce, thereby supporting the development of a skilled workforce responsible for these enhancement projects. The DFA's priorities and focuses for this grant are clearly outlined through three main objectives: increasing the reliability of the Arkansas electric grid, achieving whole community impact, and supporting the development of the state’s grid workforce. These objectives aim to reduce outages, ensure benefits reach vulnerable communities, and foster professional and workforce development opportunities for grid enhancement. Expected outcomes include a more resilient electric grid, fewer and less impactful electric outages, and a stronger, more skilled workforce to manage and maintain grid infrastructure. Measurable results would involve a reduction in outage frequency and duration, particularly for high-impact customers, and an increase in the number of trained and retained individuals in the state's grid workforce. The program's strategic priorities are to deliver direct benefits to Arkansans, increase grid resilience, protect against outages during natural disasters, and encourage investments into the state’s grid workforce. This aligns with a theory of change that by investing in adaptive protection, advanced modeling, hardening infrastructure, and workforce development, Arkansas can create a more robust and reliable electric grid that better serves its communities and fosters economic stability.
Award Range
Not specified - $1,000,000
Total Program Funding
$10,300,000
Number of Awards
Not specified
Matching Requirement
Yes - Cost Match: Applicants must provide details of the cash or in-kind cash value of all proposed cost match to fulfill the project. This will be a component within the budget section. Cost match includes: • Cash Cost Match: Encompasses monetary contributions to the project made by the applicant or third party (entities/individuals that do not have a role in delivering the project) for all costs incurred and paid during the project. • In-Kind Cost Match: Encompasses contributions to the project where a value of the contribution can be readily determined and verified, but where no actual cash is transacted (e.g., volunteer personnel hours, donation of space or use of equipment, etc.). Match Requirements: Under this program, U.S. DOE calculates cost match for small3 utilities and large4 utilities as a percentage of the Federal funds only, rather than the Total Project Cost. For simplicity, DFA has calculated the following cost match percentages for any Total Project Cost: • Small: Total cost match (to be provided by the applicant) would equal 32.9% of any project cost. The subaward would be equal to 67.1% of the project cost. • Large: Total cost match (to be provided by the applicant) would equal 53.7% of any project cost. The subaward would be equal to 46.3% of the project cost.
Eligible Applicants
Additional Requirements
Eligible applicants generally include all Arkansas electric utilities (i.e., investorowned electric utilities, electric cooperatives, and municipal electric utilities). Please see the comprehensive list of eligible entities below: • Electric grid operator: Maintains reliable and secure operation of the electric grid • Electricity storage operator: Manages and maintains energy storage system • Electricity generator: Generates electricity for public use • Transmission owner or operator: Maintains efficient and reliable transmission of electricity from electricity generators to regional/local distribution operators • Distribution provider: Operates and manages local and/or regional energy distribution networks • Fuel supplier: Supplies fuel used to generate electricity in the state
Geographic Eligibility
All
Application Opens
June 3, 2024
Application Closes
July 19, 2024