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Home > Decarb Digest

Secure Federal Investment, Centering Equity

Stay on top of new federal opportunities by reviewing these resources:

  • A simple federal programs update log for local leaders. When an opportunity opens, this platform will send an update within 24-72 hours. https://iijatracker.substack.com/ 
  • The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regularly updates current and upcoming funding opportunities from federal legislation. https://www.epa.gov/invest/epa-funding-announcements-bipartisan-infrastructure-law-and-inflation-reduction-act 
  • The federal government’s platform to access grant opportunities. https://www.grants.gov/web/grants 
  • A joint project of Columbia Law School and Environmental Defense Fund, this resource compiles information about the climate change-related provisions of federal programs. https://iratracker.org/ 
  • Pennsylvania’s resource hub for federal funding: https://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Pages/IIJA.aspx

Current Federal Funding Opportunities

The following federal programs are currently open and available to access across a variety of sectors and stakeholders. Each description below contains brief information on the program, how Justice40 is incorporated into the program, application timeframes, total funding available, eligible applicants and a link to access application materials.

Programs:

Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)

Overview: Authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, BRIC provides funding for natural hazard risk mitigation activities that promote climate adaptation and resilience. Grant funding supports communities through capacity building, enabling innovation, promoting partnerships, and enabling systems-based projects. This program is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support activities that enhance knowledge, skills, and expertise in hazard mitigation planning, funding for projects that increase resilience, as well as other financial assistance. 

Justice40 Focus: FEMA will prioritize assistance for eligible entities that request technical assistance support for resilience or mitigation activities within, or that primarily benefit, a Justice40 community. 

Application Date: February 29, 2024

Total Program Funding: $1,000,000,000

Eligible Applicants: states, U.S. territories, federally recognized Tribal governments , and local governments 

Application Information: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=350563

Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit for Clean Energy Investments

Overview: Authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act, this tax credit program offers a 10% or 20% increase in the investment tax credit for solar and wind. A 10% increase is available for solar and wind installed in low-income communities and a 20% increase is available to solar and wind that are part of a low-income residential building or an economic benefit project. This program was established by the Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service and administered by the Department of Energy. 

Justice40 Focus: IRS, Treasury, and DOE have developed maps that identify Justice40 communities, and the program is designed for low-income communities.

Application Date: Applications will close in late 2023 or early 2024

Total Program Funding: Funding is available to install 1.8 Gigawatts per year

Eligible Applicants: any entity investing in solar or wind in low-income communities, including businesses, nonprofits, governments, and other organizations.

Application Information: https://www.energy.gov/diversity/low-income-communities-bonus-credit-program

Funding to Address Air Pollution at Schools

Overview: Authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act, this program provides grants for activities to monitor and reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions at schools in low-income and disadvantaged communities. This program is administered by the Environmental Protection Agency. 

Justice40 Focus: the legislative language that enabled this program states funding is for “schools in low-income and disadvantaged communities”

Application Date: Applications will open December 2023 through March 2024

Total Program Funding: $37,500,000 for activities, $12,500,000 for technical assistance

Eligible Applicants: States, tribes, territories, local governments, educational agencies, and nonprofits.

Information: https://www.epa.gov/invest/epa-funding-announcements-bipartisan-infrastructure-law-and-inflation-reduction-act 

Community Energy Innovation Prize

Overview: This prize program identifies and supports organizations to engage and address energy challenges in disadvantaged communities. Focused on three tracks – Clean Energy Ecosystem, Manufacturing Ecosystem, and Collegiate – prizes will be awarded in 3 phases – concept, progress and impact – for climate and clean energy solutions. The Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Office of Economic Impact and Diversity, and Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office are administering this program. 

Justice40 Focus: the official rules state “the use of the terms “disadvantaged community” or “disadvantaged communities” throughout this document can be understood as referring to the definition set forth” by the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council.

Application Date: Concept phase applications close February 2, 2024

Total Program Funding: $7,490,000

Eligible Applicants: individuals, private entities (for-profit and nonprofit) states, counties, tribes, municipalities, academic institutions, multi-disciplinary teams and partnerships are strongly encouraged.

Information: https://www.americanmadechallenges.org/challenges/communityenergyinnovation

Forest Landowner Support

Overview: Authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act, this program supports underserved forest landowners for climate mitigation and forest resilience. The program contains three tracks based on project budgets, and encourages applications from a breadth of experience, expertise, and geographic scale. The Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is administering this program. 

Justice40 Focus: the Notice of Funding Opportunity states “Applicants and project implementers should use the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool to identify areas of geographic prioritization for outreach, technical assistance, and program implementation.”

Application Date: Proposal budgets less than $2 million will be considered for funding on a quarterly basis through August 21, 2024.

Total Program Funding: $150,000,000

Eligible Applicants: Tribes and Tribal organizations; national, regional, local, and community-based organizations; nonprofit and for-profit entities; and state and local governments.

Information: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html?keywords=USDA-FS-2023-IRA-FLS-01

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