Grants for County governments - Energy

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is seeking applications for its Alternative Fuels Incentive Grants. Donor Name: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection State: Pennsylvania County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 06/28/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: AFIG has approximately $5 million in funding available to school districts, municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and businesses in Pennsylvania that want to transition to cleaner fuel transportation. Supported alternative fuels include electricity, compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, propane, hydrogen, hythane, biodiesel, ethanol, methanol, and other advanced biofuels. Grant funding covers: Incremental costs related to retrofitting vehicles to operate on alternative fuels; Incremental costs to purchase alternative fuel vehicles; Cost to purchase and install the necessary fleet-refueling or home-refueling equipment for alternative fuel vehicles; Cost to perform research, training, development, and demonstration of new applications or next-phase technology related to alternative fuel vehicles. Priorities Businesses whose headquarters or principal place of business are located in Pennsylvania; Zero emission vehicle projects; Medium-duty and light-duty fleet refueling infrastructure projects; Renewable natural gas vehicle and infrastructure projects; Projects located in or predominantly serving environmental justice areas; Minority-, veteran-, or woman-owned businesses. Funding Information Applicants will be eligible for a maximum grant award across all applications of $500,000. Individual application awards are still capped at $300,000. Eligibility Criteria DEP will award at least 20% of AFIG funding to the following entities, depending on applications received: Counties, townships, municipalities, or municipal authorities; Public school districts, including brick and mortar charter schools; Organizations registered as a 501(c)3 that provide services to seniors, low-income individuals and families, individuals with disabilities, veterans, or medical services of any type; Businesses that are registered with the Commonwealth as a Small Diverse Business or registered with one of the Pennsylvania Department of General Services approved third-party certifications; and Organizations that are county/local government supported or contracted to provide services to seniors, low-income individuals and families, individuals with disabilities, veterans, or medical services of any type. For more information, visit DEP.

The City of Lafayette offers grants to directly support the preservation of older buildings. Donor Name: City of Lafayette State: Colorado City: Lafayette Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/24/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Lafayette Historic Preservation Board (HPB) is offering competitive grants of up to $3,000 for a building improvement project on older buildings in Lafayette that meets the following: Age of Building (House, Outbuilding, Barn, etc.): 50 years old or older Eligible Structures Commercial buildings Houses Churches Outbuildings and barns  Project Characteristics may include Extends the life of the building and/or enhances the historic character of the building Keeps historic materials to the extent possible; otherwise, uses identical or similar materials Removes non-historic features or materials to expose historic ones Eligible Improvements may include, but are not limited to: Structural improvements like foundation repair. Restoration and repair of original windows and doors and weather sealing. Roof repair or replacement. Installation of gutters and site drainage work. Restoration and cleaning of masonry, including brick, stone and concrete. Power washing is discouraged on any building receiving grant funding. Restoration or reconstruction of original architectural details of the building, such as materials, porch, cornice and window details, using historic materials. Painting A paint analysis to determine the original color is encouraged. Painting over brick is discouraged. All required building permits must be obtained. Location Within Lafayette city limits Eligibility Criteria  To be eligible, buildings must be at least 50 years old and within Lafayette city limits. Improvement projects will be considered based on the following criteria: Longevity – Impact of the project on the lifespan of the building Appearance – Use of historic materials where applicable Use of a Lafayette-based business or do-it-yourself (DIY) Urgency of need will be assessed Research was done on the property (Sources could include Carnegie Library, Miner’s Museum contacts, Lafayette Historical Society, Lafayette’s HPB website, Treeless Plains book, other local history books, old newspaper articles, etc. Other relevant issues related to the project and site may be considered. For more information, visit City of Lafayette.

The National Academy of Sciences Gulf Research Program is investing $50 million in the Gulf Futures Challenge to fund projects addressing critical challenges in the Gulf region. The Challenge aims to discover and promote innovative and transformative solutions by leveraging the talent and knowledge of the Gulf's people. The competition focuses on three main areas: energy transition, environmental change along the coast, and healthy and resilient communities. Up to ten finalists will receive up to $1 million in project development support, with two finalists awarded $20 million each to implement their solutions. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, state, local, and tribal governments, and academic institutions from Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, or Texas, with projects located within 100 miles of the Gulf coastline. The registration deadline is August 20, 2024, and the application deadline is September 20, 2024.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s (EGLE) Recycling Unit is offering grants to advance the research, development, or demonstration of concepts or projects intended to create innovative and practical approaches to increase the reuse and recycling of batteries and other critical minerals. Donor Name: Michigan Department of Environment Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) State: Michigan County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant | Matching Grants Deadline: 05/24/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: 5 Years Details: The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) protects Michigan’s environment and public health by managing air, water, land, and energy resources, and is focused on addressing climate change, diversity, equity, and inclusion. In fiscal year (FY) 2024, EGLE will provide matching grants to support public or private colleges or universities in an effort to address the research, development, or demonstration of concepts or projects intended to create innovative and practical approaches to increase the reuse and recycling of batteries and other critical minerals. Applicants must consider the following program objectives, priorities, and tasks in the planning of their proposal. Program Objective  Support research into the reuse of critical materials for clean energy production through research, development, and/or demonstration of concepts or projects intended to create innovative and practical approaches to increase the reuse and recycling of batteries and other critical minerals. Program Priorities  Research into the reuse of critical materials for clean energy production through circular economy efforts to capture and reuse critical minerals. Research, development, or demonstration of projects that recycle critical minerals from electric vehicles and other battery storage units. Funding Information A total of $4.75 million in funding is expected to be available, with the average individual grant awards ranging from $500,000 to $2,500,000. Grant Period The State anticipates the grant period will start October 1, 2024, and will end on September 30, 2029. Eligibility Criteria  Any Michigan public or private colleges or universities that grant baccalaureate degrees and that are studying the opportunities to recycle and innovate and maximize the use of critical minerals from electric vehicles and other battery storage units may apply. Preference will be provided to those institutions who have partnerships with entities involved in the research, development, or demonstration of concepts or projects intended to create innovative and practical approaches to increase the reuse and recycling of batteries and other critical minerals. For more information, visit EGLE.

This funding opportunity provides financial assistance to U.S. entities involved in advanced nuclear energy projects to help cover regulatory review costs associated with licensing advanced reactors and related facilities.

This initiative provides up to $100,000 in technical assistance vouchers to businesses and organizations seeking to commercialize scientific innovations through collaboration with experts at U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratories.

The Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) intends to issue a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) entitled Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas FY24. The goals of this investment area are to deliver measurable and sustained benefits to people who live in rural or remote areas by funding replicable clean energy projects that lower energy costs, improve energy access and resilience, increase economic opportunity, and/or reduce environmental harm; demonstrate rural or remote energy system approaches using climate-resilient technologies, business structures that promote economic resilience, accessible and appropriate financing mechanisms, and/or best practices in community leadership and engagement, and workforce development; and build clean energy knowledge, capacity, and self-reliance in rural and remote parts of America. Funding will support materials, equipment, time, labor, and other resources to build clean energy projects in rural or remote communities and run other allowable activities as proposed (e.g., collaboration, outreach, and engagement with Tribes and stakeholders, or workforce development programs). This Notice of Intent (NOI or Notice) describes a preliminary plan that will evolve during the Notice of Funding Opportunity development process.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for domestic organizations to develop innovative technologies that enhance the supply chain for enriched uranium, ensuring its availability for nuclear reactors and strengthening U.S. energy security.

The purpose of this solicitation is to fund an applied research and development project that will support research to assess the impact of consolidated packages of electrified retrofit measures on air quality and other related impact categories, including resilience to extreme heat, indoor comfort, and energy and cost savings in California homes. Description: This research will identify and assess non-energy benefits of home electrification and evaluate key stakeholders’ (e.g., residents, contractors) experience with the retrofitting process. Ultimately, this work will provide guidance on how these benefits could be considered in strategies and decisions to retrofit or replace gas-fueled appliances with electric. The proposed research is intended to provide crucial support to the state’s efforts to address challenges in building decarbonization and to minimize air quality impacts to its residents. The research responds to the 2021-2025 California Energy Commission (CEC) Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) Investment Plan research initiative “Evaluating Air Quality, Health, and Equity in Clean Energy Solutions.” CEC’s California Building Decarbonization Assessment report, required by Assembly Bill 3232 (Friedman, Chapter 373, Statutes of 2018) suggests that efficient electrification in California’s buildings presents the most readily achievable pathway for this sector to achieve a 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gases relative to 1990 levels by 2030 (Kenney, et al. 2021). The same report acknowledges significant challenges associated with residential building decarbonization including high upfront costs, potential for increased utility bills, limited awareness of technology options and their benefits, constraints faced by renters, and systemic inequality faced by low-income and disadvantaged communities. There are many non-market factors to consider in decisions to retrofit or replace appliances, such as the non-energy benefits of home electrification (e.g., health, comfort, and household economics) that many are not aware of. Additionally, there are many not-yet characterized potential benefits of electrification retrofits in existing homes (e.g., improved air quality). These existing homes pose challenges — as well as enormous potential benefits — related to electrification; however, they are not typically covered under the Title 24 Building Energy Efficiency Standards, which apply only to new buildings and buildings undergoing permitted upgrades. Improvements in indoor air quality and related health outcomes are of particular importance to populations in low-income and disadvantaged communities, which are often disproportionately burdened by energy-related air pollutants. For example, in August 2023, the operating lives of three once through cooling (OTC) fossil gas power plants were extended through 2026 to provide reserve generation during power emergencies (CalMatters 2023, California Energy Commission 2023) and the emissions from OTC smokestacks can impact the outdoor and indoor air quality of residents living near those plants. In addition, wildfire-generated air pollution poses an added threat, possibly compounding already existing air quality issues in these communities. Eligibility Requirements Eligible Applicants: Business Individual Nonprofit Other Legal Entity Public Agency Tribal Government This solicitation is open to all public and private entities with the exception of local publicly owned electric utilities. Eligible Geographies: No local publicly owned electric utilities. Matching Funding Requirement: Match funding is required in the amount of at least 5% minimum of the requested CEC funds.

This program provides funding to communities facing extremely high energy costs to improve their energy infrastructure and promote renewable energy solutions.

This grant provides funding to South Carolina municipalities, litter control organizations, and community groups for litter removal projects, especially in areas that are challenging for volunteers to access safely.

This funding opportunity supports organizations that partner with startups to advance and scale innovative clean energy technologies in Massachusetts, helping them navigate challenges to achieve commercial success.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for U.S.-based organizations, including private companies, universities, and nonprofits, to advance the development of innovative fuel cell and electrolysis technologies for efficient hydrogen production.

This program provides $2 million in funding to support the development of geothermal energy systems for various entities in Colorado, prioritizing projects that benefit low-income and underserved communities.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications for its 2024 Community & Urban Forestry Assistance (CUFA) Grant. Donor Name: Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) State: Indiana County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/04/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: This grant seeks to invest in the long-term growth and development of community forestry programs in Indiana to support: Expansion of urban tree canopy cover Preservation of existing urban tree canopy cover Increased and more equitable access to urban tree canopy and the health, environmental, and economic benefits associated with increased canopy Broadened community engagement in local urban forest planning. Improved resilience to climate change, pests, and storm events through best management and maintenance practices. Goals Your goals may include: To enhance residents’ quality of life in your city, village, town, township, or county. To establish, strengthen, and support a community urban forestry program. To promote urban forestry benefits through the properselection, planting, and care of trees. To establish a comprehensive tree inventory to enable local, data-driven decision-making. To promote risk management by properly assessing trees and developing mitigation plans. To restore diminished community tree canopy. To preemptively reduce your community’s ash or other susceptible tree populations to avoid inevitable future economic burdens borne by local government budgets in the aftermath of a pest invasion. To diversify the urban forest for long-term resilience and resistance to future pests. To ensure that your urban forest provides a variety of ecosystem services to your community. These include cleaner air, improved watershed health, reduced erosion, stormwater runoff, and reduced urban heat island effects. To address historic inequities in urban forestry policy and management which have been borne unevenly by certain groups or areas within your community. To adapt urban forest accessibility to changing community demographics. To promote the Indiana nursery industry through the local purchase of high-quality, native trees. To support Indiana arboriculture and landscape industries through management, planning, and tree removal, installation, and education. To enhance the built environment through increased property values, reduced energy demands, and enhanced aesthetics that offer year-round enjoyment and get people outdoors. Funding Information Your requests for project funds must be for a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $25,000. The overall level of funds available is $230,000. Tree Inventory or Urban Tree Canopy Assessment: The community may use this grant for the development and implementation of or the expansion of a community tree inventory or urban tree canopy assessment.  Management/Response Plan: The community may use this grant to cover expenses related to the creation or update of an urban forestry management or response plan. It can also be used to fund the development or the review and update of tree ordinances. Education/Training: The community may use this grant to cover the costs of educating and training the Project Coordinator, tree advisory groups, municipal staff, and local officials in the proper care of trees. Community Engagement & Tree Planting: Any tree planting project MUST include community engagement. If you already have a community engagement plan/program, please include it in your application. All grant recipients will work closely with the CUF team to develop a community engagement strategy that is unique to your community and its needs. The specifics of this strategy will develop as your project does but keep this requirement in mind as you complete this application. Tree plantings must take place on public property and may be used to fulfill management plan goals, address ecosystem improvements, and/or address inequities in access to green infrastructure. Note that 100% of the project trees must be species native to Indiana (exceptions can be made for establishments of urban food forest). Additionally, this grant cannot be used for the purchase of trees in the Acer genus (maples). Exceptions shall be made if a current inventory and management plan demonstrates your Acer population is less than 5% of the overall tree community. In that case, no more than 5% of the total grant project trees are to be of the genus Acer. All tree planting projects MUST include a maintenance plan with the grant application.  Other Activities: You may fund activities or other projects specific to urban forestry and/or arboriculture in your community. Examples include urban wood utilization, establishment of urban food forests, invasive species removal, establishment of a not-for-profit organization, and development and implementation of a community website specific to urban forestry. Eligibility Criteria  To be eligible for a grant, applicants must be a:  Municipality: As defined under IC 369-1-2 a municipality is a city, town, township, county, school corporation, library district, local housing authority, fire protection district, public transportation corporation, local building authority, local hospital authority or corporation, local airport authority, special service district, or other separate local government entities that may sue or be sued. It does not include special taxing districts. Non-profit 501(c)3: Organization as defined under IC 23-7-1.1. Non-profit organizations must include documentation of their not-for-profit status. For more information, visit DNR.

This grant provides funding to public and private entities to develop a network of fast-charging electric vehicle stations along major highways in Minnesota, promoting accessible and reliable EV infrastructure.

This program provides financial support to rural and high-risk communities in Colorado for planning and building microgrids that enhance resilience against electric grid disruptions, prioritizing projects that utilize non-fossil fuel sources and serve essential community institutions.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations, public sector entities, and scalable for-profit companies in the U.S. to develop and promote innovative wood products and value chains that enhance sustainable forestry and rural economic development.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to eligible nonprofit organizations in Cheyenne to assist low- and moderate-income residents through projects focused on housing, infrastructure, and essential services.

This funding opportunity provides financial assistance to Maryland counties and municipalities to implement a streamlined solar permitting software, helping them meet state requirements for residential solar energy systems.