State Energy Grants

Our Water Quality Combined Funding Program is an integrated funding program for projects that improve and protect water quality throughout the state. The program combines grants and loans from state and federal funding sources. We also provide technical assistance to program applicants to help them navigate this process. We have one combined funding cycle, one application, one competitive rating process, and one list of funding offers. Applicants submit just one application for all of the funding sources under the Water Quality Combined Funding Program. Amount of funding available: Varies based on the state budget — ranges from $100 million to $200 million annually. Grant award limit: Varies depending on funding source and project type. See the current funding year guidelines below for more information. Amount of matching funds required: Depends on the funding source you receive, can be up to 25 percent match required.

This program provides financial support to New Mexico-based small businesses with federal SBIR or STTR grants, helping them commercialize innovative technologies and grow their market presence.

Grant Opportunity: Energize Delaware Residential Solar Loan Program Description: The Energize Delaware Residential Solar Loan program offers low-interest loans to encourage the purchase of customer-owned renewable generation. The program aims to achieve utility bill savings, reduce environmental impact, and promote local job growth in the solar installation industry. Eligibility Criteria: - Must be a Delaware resident - Must be a homeowner of a single-family home or duplex - Minimum credit score of 650 - Maximum monthly debt-to-income ratio of 40% - Total loan cannot exceed 70% of the total project cost Loan Details: - Total loan amount: $5,000 - $30,000 - Interest rate: 3.9% - Loan term: Up to 10 years Additional Requirements: - Any storage capacity must be priced such that the total system cost does not exceed $6.00/installed watt of generation. - The system must meet specific Green Energy Grant Delaware requirements regarding grid connection, array orientation and tilt, and daily sunshine hours. Application Process: 1. Complete an online application at energizedelawareloans.org. 2. The application consists of two parts: initial and final. 3. After Part I is submitted, applicants will receive an eligibility letter via email. 4. Approved applicants can begin their solar project within three months of acceptance. 5. Once installation is complete, applicants must complete Part II within six months. 6. After Part II documents are reviewed, funds will be dispersed directly to the installer. Payment and Repayment: - Participating installers pay an initiation fee of $100 and must provide state licensing information. - Homeowners will begin loan repayment the month following fund disbursement. - Monthly payments cannot be adjusted. - There is no penalty for prepayment. Contractor Information: - Contractors must register with the program before being selected by homeowners. - Payment to contractors is issued after all Part II documents are submitted, including a signed Authorization Form, Promissory Note

This funding opportunity provides financial support for community organizations to educate and assist underserved communities in Illinois with accessing clean energy programs and initiatives.

The Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) is offering grants aimed at minimizing stormwater pollution through the ongoing maintenance of green infrastructure (GI). The core mission of this grant program aligns with environmental protection and sustainable urban development by actively preserving existing GI practices. The grant seeks to ensure the long-term effectiveness of these installations in managing stormwater, directly contributing to a healthier environment in the District of Columbia. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant are the residents of the District of Columbia, who will benefit from reduced stormwater pollution and an improved local environment. Additionally, local District residents, including Returning Citizens, are targeted beneficiaries through the creation of sustainable employment opportunities in GI maintenance. The overarching impact goal is to achieve cleaner waterways and a more resilient urban ecosystem by consistently maintaining approximately 400 GI practices installed by District government agencies. The grant prioritizes providing excellent routine maintenance for 400 GI practices installed by District agencies. A secondary, but equally important, focus is on fostering sustainable employment for local District residents, including Returning Citizens, within the GI maintenance sector. This includes providing training to a local workforce. Furthermore, the program aims to cultivate stewardship and maintenance support opportunities within communities, encouraging local engagement and responsibility for environmental assets. Expected outcomes include a significant reduction in stormwater pollution, evidenced by the effective operation of maintained GI practices. Measurable results will include the annual maintenance of approximately 400 GI practices and the successful training and employment of local District residents in GI maintenance roles. The program's theory of change posits that by investing in both the physical maintenance of green infrastructure and the human capital required to sustain it, the District can achieve lasting environmental benefits and create valuable socio-economic opportunities.

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) is inviting proposals for source water protection projects. Funding is authorized through section 1452 of the Safe Drinking Water Act as administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy. These funds are a potential source of support for drinking water protection projects in Nebraska. Program overview, grant process, general program information, funding priority, project requirements and format are outlined in the attached guidance. Project proposals will be reviewed by staff at Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy and representatives of other organizations. Projects recommended by the reviewers will be forwarded to the Director of NDEE for approval. Any questions you may have regarding this invitation may be submitted to the Source Water Coordinator at the address below. Questions will be answered directly and then posted on the NDEE website for reference. Proposals must be submitted to the NDEE office in Lincoln by 5:00 PM July 1, 2024.

This program provides funding to Oklahoma local governments and state agencies to upgrade their indoor and outdoor lighting systems for improved energy efficiency and cost savings.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local governments and nonprofit organizations for projects that enhance urban forestry management through data collection and planning.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to eligible contractors for developing renewable energy and energy efficiency projects that benefit low-income communities and promote workforce training in Illinois.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to government entities, non-profit organizations, and universities in Michigan for projects aimed at preventing, detecting, managing, and eradicating invasive species in both terrestrial and aquatic environments.

The Indiana Office of Energy Development seeks proposals for Empowering Energy Partnerships in Indiana Communities to address energy needs at a community or regional scale. The program supports comprehensive solutions aligned with the state’s pillars of reliability, resiliency, stability, affordability, and environmental sustainability, and encourages partnerships with measurable public benefits. Eligible project topics include energy efficiency such as building upgrades and energy management technologies, alternative fueling and charging infrastructure that is publicly accessible, energy security and reliability including backup generation, microgrids, and cybersecurity, and clean energy resources such as solar, storage, geothermal, wind, and biomass. Vehicle purchases and certain high speed charging are not allowable under program rules. Projects should also demonstrate connections to state priorities such as economic development, workforce development, education, and public safety. Eligible entities include local units of government, nonprofit organizations, for profit entities, and institutions of higher education that are Indiana based and registered federally and with the state. Approximately 2,500,000 dollars is available, with anticipated awards averaging 300,000 to 500,000 dollars for project periods of up to three years. One proposal per eligible entity is allowed; applicants may coordinate regional submissions but cannot make tiered subawards. Applications are due May 1, 2024 through the state’s process. Additional information is available from the Indiana Office of Energy Development.

This grant provides funding to Illinois courts and related offices to improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities, ensuring they can fully participate in court activities and receive necessary accommodations.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Energy Unit announces grants for organizations to enhance energy knowledge and awareness statewide, in alignment with Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s climate priorities. Projects should target measurable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, adhering to the MI Healthy Climate Plan, with a grant period from February 1, 2024, to August 31, 2024 (those are not submission dates)

The purpose of the EECBG Program is to assist eligible local governments ("eligible entities") in implementing strategies to reduce fossil fuel emissions, reduce total energy use, improve energy efficiency, and build a clean and equitable energy economy. The Illinois EPA Office of Energy identified the following project topic areas for funding eligibility: Energy Planning and Energy Efficiency: Energy Audits, Building Upgrades. Entities may develop various programs and projects that address one or more of the purposes in a cost effective manner that is of maximum benefit to the population served. Funding may not be used for regularly scheduled maintenance.

This funding opportunity provides $10,000 to individual artists in Illinois to support their professional development and enhance community engagement through their creative practices.

The Community Energy Management (CEM) Program, administered by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), offers grants to improve energy management, increase energy efficiency, and promote renewable energy adoption for local governments and tribes. This program is part of the EGLE Catalyst Communities Initiative, supporting Governor Whitmer’s climate change priorities. The grant period runs from January 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025, with a total of $5,850,000 available, sourced from the U.S. Department of Energy’s State Energy Program (SEP) and Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG). Projects must focus on energy efficiency upgrades, renewable energy installations, fleet electrification, EV charging infrastructure, and clean energy workforce development. The application deadline is June 30, 2024, or until funds are exhausted.

This funding opportunity supports non-profit organizations, community groups, and educational institutions in Charleston, West Virginia, to develop projects that benefit low- to moderate-income individuals and address community needs.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to community organizations, individuals, and groups in Massachusetts that work to improve access to clean energy and reduce energy burdens for underserved populations.

The California Energy Commission (CEC) is offering a grant to evaluate the feasibility of using existing underground gas storage facilities to store clean renewable hydrogen in California. This project aligns with the CEC's mission to advance California's clean energy goals by exploring innovative solutions for energy storage. The overarching goal is to assess the technical and economic viability of converting these facilities for hydrogen storage, contributing to the state's renewable energy infrastructure. The grant specifically targets projects that will benefit California Gas Investor Owned Utility (IOU) ratepayers. The project focuses on developing comprehensive technical and economic assessments of storing and retrieving hydrogen blends and/or pure hydrogen. Key priorities include engaging with local communities and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) around selected sites to assess awareness and support for underground hydrogen storage, and leveraging this feedback to inform experimental design. The project also emphasizes studying the characteristics of at least two existing underground gas storage facilities, conducting experiments to assess the impacts of hydrogen introduction on well integrity and reservoir dynamics, and proposing necessary mitigation measures for safety and reliability. Expected outcomes include quantitative risk assessments and techno-economic analyses for converting selected facilities, comparing costs and risks of various use cases, and estimating levelized costs of hydrogen storage, capital costs, and operations and maintenance costs. The project will also develop recommendations for Gas IOUs, CBOs, policymakers, and relevant stakeholders to guide decision-making on the future role of underground hydrogen storage in California. Optional but desired elements include comparing the levelized cost of hydrogen storage and life-cycle emissions with alternative storage options and examining the potential of storing hydrogen in saline aquifers. The CEC's strategic priority in offering this grant is to support the integration of clean renewable hydrogen into California's energy mix. The theory of change is that by thoroughly assessing the feasibility, risks, and economic implications of underground hydrogen storage, the state can make informed decisions about deploying this technology, thereby accelerating the transition to a cleaner, more resilient energy system. The grant, with a funding range of $2.5 million to $3 million and a duration of three years (November 1, 2024 – September 30, 2027), aims to produce actionable insights that can directly influence future policy and infrastructure development in California's hydrogen economy.

This program provides funding to Maryland-based organizations and businesses to develop educational and training initiatives that prepare the workforce for careers in the offshore wind industry.