$27 Million in Funding is available for Energy infrastructure!
The Energy Future Grants (EFG) will provide financial and technical assistance to local government, state, territorial, and/or tribal partnerships to design innovative, multijurisdictional deployment plans that maximize scalable energy affordability. EFG will provide approximately $27 million in cooperative agreements. Approximately 50 awards of $500,000 are expected.
Topic Area 1 - Transportation
Proposals in this area should include planning approaches for reducing the energy intensity or greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, with a focus on efforts to advance projects that benefit infrastructure, mobility, and net zero fuels. Innovative actions may include efforts to support on-and-off-road technology adoption and fuel use, including freight and aviation fleets. Teams should consider including US DOE Clean Cities Coalitions as partners.
Topic Area 2 - Power Sector
Scalable innovations in the power sector including distributed energy delivery models that emphasize affordability and demand flexibility (e.g., pricing, rates, or tariffs). Other ideas include fuel switching to net zero carbon fuels, electrification, microgrids, supply chain and/or procurement strategies. that support economic, health, and job benefits in disadvantaged communities. Teams should consider utilities or regulatory agencies as partners.
Topic Area 3 - Buildings
Innovative strategies for creating net zero commercial and residential buildings, including opportunities in the multi-family sector or at community facilities. Approaches include the adoption of building engineering, construction, and retrofit programs that account for occupant behavior, technology integration, and procurement of energy efficient material or the wider use of performance standards to drive outcomes (electrification, decarbonization, resilience). Teams should consider experts in affordable housing or building performance as partners.
Strategic or Cross-Cutting Projects
Applicants are not bound to a single area above. Any team should feel free to propose innovative ideas across the topics above (e.g., deployment of virtual power plants, distribution system needs to accommodate heavy duty electric vehicles).
Funding Overview
Phase 1 – Planning Grants
Selected awardees will receive approximately $500,000 for a 12-to-18-month award period to provide design support and ensure engagement is inclusive of all jurisdictions and aligned with the needs of disadvantaged communities.
About Phase 2 – Deployment-Ready Grants
Following the completion of Phase 1, SCEP intends to conduct a competitive process for Phase 2. SCEP may select approximately 10 teams from all Phase 1 teams to receive approximately $1 million in additional funds. SCEP may make fewer selections or none if initial requirements are not adequately met.
Cost sharing is not required. Cost share is encouraged to maximize the impact of the projects.
Eligibility Requirements
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- City or township governments
- State governments
- County governments
Eligible Activities
Eligible activities include those which describe and promote the understanding of scientific and technical aspects of specific energy technologies, but not those which encourage or support political activities such as the collection and dissemination of information related to potential, planned, or pending legislation.
Deadline
Septemeber 30, 2023
