State Energy Grants

The Automated Permit Processing for Solar (APPS) grant program is designed to support local and tribal governments in implementing automated online solar permitting software, such as SolarAPP+ or Symbium. This innovative software streamlines the solar permitting process by instantly verifying the code compliance of solar systems and issuing permits. By reducing staff processing time, the APPS program aims to enhance the efficiency of solar installations, allowing Coloradans to quickly benefit from their rooftop solar investments. The program has allocated a total of $1 million in grants, available on a first-come, first-serve basis, with no matching requirement from recipients. The grant covers various costs associated with adopting automated permitting software, including in-house staff time, training, IT or consultant services, and maintenance or subscription costs for up to three years. The application period opens on April 2, 2024, and closes on June 4, 2024, with program funding available until June 30, 2028, or until expended.

The Projects for Organizations grant opportunity, offered by the Idaho Commission on the Arts, aims to support public projects and events by nonprofit organizations, informal arts groups applying through fiscal agents, and arts-in-education projects within schools and school districts. This grant aligns with the Commission's mission to foster arts and culture within Idaho by directly funding initiatives that engage the public and promote arts education. The program specifically targets organizations operating in Idaho for at least one year with a valid 501(c)(3) status or governmental units including schools. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are the citizens of Idaho, who benefit from increased access to public arts projects and events, and students within the state, who gain from enhanced arts-in-education programming. The impact goals include enriching community life through cultural offerings and fostering artistic development and appreciation. The grant prioritizes projects that compensate professional artists and meet specific eligibility criteria, ensuring a high standard of artistic endeavor and professional practice. Funding information indicates that grants are up to $1,100 and require a 1:1 match (cash or in-kind), funding up to 50% of projected expenses. This demonstrates a strategic priority to leverage additional resources and encourage community investment in arts projects. While specific measurable results beyond successful project completion and financial accountability are not explicitly detailed, the focus on public projects and arts-in-education implies expected outcomes such as increased community engagement in the arts and improved arts literacy among students. The Idaho Commission on the Arts' strategic priority, as reflected in this grant, is to provide accessible funding for a diverse range of artistic and cultural projects across all counties in Idaho. Their theory of change appears to be that by providing financial support and setting clear eligibility and project guidelines, they can empower local organizations and schools to deliver high-quality arts experiences, thereby enriching communities and fostering a vibrant arts ecosystem throughout the state. The requirement for final reports for past grants also indicates a commitment to accountability and continuous improvement within their funding programs.

This program provides funding to tribal communities in Montana for forestry projects that enhance green spaces, improve air and water quality, and support cultural practices and climate resilience.

The Illinois Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program is aimed at developing a skilled workforce to support clean jobs in Illinois. The program, funded by the state, is anticipated to offer 13 awards with a total funding amount of $37,900,000. No specific award range is specified. The program is open for applications starting July 7, 2023, and will close on June 30, 2024, at 5:00 PM. Technical assistance for applicants is available, with a session scheduled for July 14, 2023 at 3:00 PM; registration link for the session is provided in the original document.

This program provides funding to local governments and eligible entities in Minnesota to install solar energy systems on public buildings, promoting clean energy and cost savings.

This program provides funding to tech incubators in Illinois to improve their facilities and support services for startups in key growth industries like life sciences and artificial intelligence.

The Urban Forestry Catastrophic Storm Grants program, offered by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, aims to support the repair, removal, or replacement of trees within urban areas that have been damaged by catastrophic storm events. A catastrophic storm is defined as damage to urban forests caused by snow, ice, hail, wind, or tornado, for which the governor has declared a state of emergency. This grant is not for damage resulting from insect infestation, disease, forest fire, drought, or flooding. The program's core objective is to aid communities in recovering and restoring their urban forests after severe weather. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are cities, villages, towns, counties, tribes, and 501(c)(3) organizations in Wisconsin that have experienced damage to their urban forests as a direct result of a declared catastrophic storm event. Private property owners are not eligible for this funding. A key eligibility criterion is that the urban forest damage must have occurred in an area with a minimum of 100 residents per square mile, as determined by the Wisconsin Demographic Services Center based on U.S. Census Bureau data. The impact goal is to assist these eligible entities in mitigating the visual, ecological, and safety hazards posed by storm-damaged trees, thereby contributing to the resilience and health of urban environments. The grant prioritizes costs directly related to damaged tree repair, removal, or replacement within the geographic area covered by the state of emergency. Eligible costs include regular wages and fringe benefits for personnel working on tree-related tasks, as well as expenses for services, supplies, equipment, or facilities used for these activities. Overtime costs are not eligible, and any costs reimbursed by other funding sources, such as federal disaster assistance or insurance, are also excluded. The focus is on documented, reasonable, and necessary expenditures directly stemming from the catastrophic storm. Expected outcomes include the restoration of damaged urban tree canopies, improved public safety through the removal of hazardous trees, and the enhancement of urban environmental quality. Measurable results would involve the number of trees repaired, removed, or replaced, the total acreage of urban forest impacted by grant activities, and the financial investment made in urban forest recovery efforts. The grant's duration is one year, with individual grants ranging from $4,000 to $50,000, providing immediate support for post-storm recovery.

This grant provides funding to local governments and nonprofit organizations for projects that restore and enhance urban forested areas and riparian corridors, focusing on improving ecosystem health and resilience.

The Equitable Energy Future Grant Program, established by Public Act 102-0662, is intended to provide grants of up to $1 million promoting renewable energy1 and energy efficiency2 projects that will accomplish any or all of the following: • Provide benefits to low-income communities wherein at least 50% of projected energy produced or saved benefits low-income households3 or not-for-profit organizations providing services to low-income households, affordable housing owners, or community-based businesses providing services to low-income households; • Invest in equity investment eligible communities (defined below); • Provide on-the-job training; • Support contractors who are participating in or have demonstrated an intent to participate in the Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program and the Clean Energy Primes Contractor Accelerator Program (when operational

This funding opportunity provides financial support to electric and energy-related operators in California for projects that improve the reliability and resilience of the electric grid against wildfires and extreme weather.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations for repairing, replacing, and installing electric vehicle charging ports in California to improve the reliability and accessibility of the state's EV charging infrastructure.

New Jersey's Electric School Bus Grant Program aims to transition the state's school bus fleets to electric power, reducing the reliance on fossil fuel-powered buses that constitute over 99% of the 21,700 registered school buses. This initiative seeks to improve the health of students and residents in communities by funding electric school bus implementation. Eligible applicants include school districts that own buses and school bus contractors working with schools, focusing on promoting equity across different regions and prioritizing applications from Overburdened Communities. The program provides $15 million annually for three years, with application details and more information available through provided webinars and the program’s dedicated webpage.

The purpose of this solicitation is to provide cost share funding to applicants that apply for and receive one of the following:  An award under an eligible federal Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) and meet the requirements of this solicitation, or  Follow-on funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to continue research from a previously awarded federal grant that also received Energy Commission federal cost share funding under PON-14-308, GFO-18-902, or this GFO and the proposed project meets the requirements of this solicitation.   Continuously Updated Eligible Cost Share Opportunities Before applying, applicants are encouraged to check Eligibility Requirements in Section II of this solicitation. As new eligible cost share opportunities are released, the Energy Commission will revise this document with corresponding information on how to apply for cost share for that funding opportunity. Information on currently eligible funding opportunities can be found in the Eligible Federal Funding Opportunities section of the Eligibility Requirements (Section II.A.). The Energy Commission will provide cost share only to applicants that are applying for a federal funding opportunity or follow-on funding as described above. If the applicant has already received a federal award or follow-on funding and is seeking retroactive cost share, that application will not be eligible for CEC cost share funds under this solicitation.

The Recipients will implement the program in their awarded region to install energy-efficient electric appliances, energy efficiency measures, and related upgrades directly to low-income households living in single-family, multifamily, and manufactured homes in underresourced communities. Applications are required to (1) include community-based organizations (CBOs) for culturally appropriate outreach, education, and support for participating households and communities, and (2) include expertise in decarbonization of single-family homes, multifamily buildings, and manufactured housing.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for solar and storage projects that benefit low- to moderate-income households in affordable housing across New York, helping to overcome barriers and promote equitable access to renewable energy.

This grant provides funding to organizations and local governments to develop solar and energy storage projects that benefit low-to-moderate income households and affordable housing providers in New York.

The Texas Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Program aims to improve Texas air quality by providing grants for the replacement or repowering of older diesel vehicles and equipment with all-electric versions. This includes Class 8 Local Freight Trucks, Port Drayage Trucks, School Buses, Shuttle Buses, Transit Buses, and non-road equipment like forklifts and airport ground support equipment. The program supports the transition to cleaner, electric alternatives to reduce emissions and promote environmental sustainability. Grants on a first-come, first-served basis

Governor Katie Hobbs' Office of Resiliency is accepting applications for the Arizona Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program, offering between $50,000 and $100,000 in federal funds for eligible local governments to use on energy efficiency and conservation projects, with applications due by October 8, 2024, and funds to be used by December 1, 2026.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to county governments in Kern and Los Angeles Counties for training programs that prepare workers to safely cap abandoned oil wells, ensuring compliance with environmental and safety regulations.