DOE Opens $50M for Community-Based Energy Projects in Rural and Remote Areas
Eligible applicants: states, local governments, nonprofits, forprofits, tribal entities, higher education institutions. Applications are due: October 12, 2023
Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity
Opportunity: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Energy Improvement in Rural or Remote Areas Fixed Award Grant Program
Overview and Eligible Uses:DOE’s Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) Program is managed by the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED). Designed to recognize and address the distinct energy challenges faced by rural communities, this funding aims to increase energy affordability and promote climate resilience in areas with fewer than 10,000 people by supporting projects that satisfy at least one of the following objectives:
Improving overall cost-effectiveness of energy generation, transmission, or distribution systems
Siting or upgrading transmission and distribution lines
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from energy generation in rural or remote areas
Providing or modernizing electric generation facilities
Developing microgrids
Increasing energy efficiency
Amount: DOE expects 10 to 100 awards, with funding ranging from $500K to $5M each, resulting in a total of $50M in funding
Award Type: Cooperative Agreement
Eligible Applicants:
State and local governmental entities
Indian Nations
Non-profit entities
For-profit entities
Institutions of higher education
Consortia
Applicants must identify an area in the United States (including U.S. territories) with a population of no more than 10,000 people according to the 2020 Census Bureau data, that will benefit from their proposal. The identified area can be a city, town, unincorporated municipality, or a Census Designated Place (CDP) that is not located within an incorporated municipality. It is preferred that the proposed projects are situated within rural or remote communities they aim to benefit. However, projects outside of rural or remote areas may still be considered for funding.
Key Dates:
An informational webinar will be held on May 30, 2023
Pre-applications are due July 13, 2023
Full Applications are due October 12, 2023
Only successful pre-applicants will be invited to complete a more detailed full application.
Key Links:
For a full list of currently available grant programs under the Infrastructure Law and other helpful tools, take a look at our Helpful Resources page.
This tracker will continue to send updates when new funding opportunities are announced.