Since our last update, the Office of Energy Independence (OEI) has continued reviewing guidance for the energy provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. As we’ve begun planning for the programs released by the Department of Energy (DOE), your comments and feedback have been essential. We will continue to update you on our progress and any information we receive from DOE.
A notice of intent for the Smart Grid Investment Grant Program and a draft funding opportunity announcement for the Smart Grid Demonstrations Program was recently released by DOE. The full documents are included below.
- The investment grant program seeks to improve the cost and performance in the deployment of smart grid technology
- The demonstrations program will fund regionally unique demonstrations to verify technological viability, quantify costs and benefits, and validate new business models
- The documents below provide an overview of the programs and an invitation for comments
- Prospective applicants should submit any feedback to DOE by 5:00 PM (Eastern) on May 6, 2009
- Final funding opportunity announcements should be released by June 17, 2009
- Funding opportunity announcements for Advanced Batteries and Transportation Electrification are included below as well
OEI submitted our initial application for the State Energy Program (SEP) on March 23rd and we expect to receive feedback on it from DOE within 60 days.
- Once the initial application is returned, we will have to submit a comprehensive application for approval by DOE
- OEI will be able to access 50% of SEP funding once the comprehensive application is approved by DOE
- Applications for Iowa projects will be available once DOE approves our comprehensive application
OEI is still working on our application for the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grants (EECBG).
- OEI’s EECBG application is due by May 26th
- The larger cities and communities receiving direct funding from DOE must submit their EECBG application by June 25th
- $456 million in competitive funding will be available from DOE (which is $56 million more than expected)
- A separate funding opportunity announcement for the competitive funding will be released by DOE in the coming weeks
Guidance for the Energy Efficiency Rebates Program still has not been released.
- DOE cannot give a timeline for when guidance will be released
- We do know that funding will be distributed by formula according to state populations
- We also know that there will be a 50% state match required
Useful Links:
