Need help?
- Check out the League of Minnesota Cities Grant Navigator.
- (Currently terminated - pursing next steps) The Great Lakes Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center (TCTAC) hub will support underserved and overburdened (i.e. Justice40) communities fund environmental projects. See the Grants and Funding database.
- Track program awards and projects in Minnesota (MMB) under the IIJA, IRA and CHIPS & Science Act, including a list of currently live applications.
- The State Competitiveness Fund Match Program is a cost-share match program in support of eligible entities applying for eligible federal funding opportunities.
- The State Funding Readiness Project provides free, free, fast, and flexible technical assistance to jurisdictions preparing for, applying for, and implementing federal investments.
- Identify potential Federal Funding Sources for Municipal Sustainability and Climate Action using the National League of Cities tool.
- The Local Infrastructure Hub empowers local leaders to access federal infrastructure dollars with a Grant Search, learning opportunities, and technical assistance.
- Seeking Federal Funding: A Guide for Local Governments (USDN, 2024) resource guide that provides insights, lessons learned, best practices, along with challenges and pitfalls faced by local governments seeking federal funding.
- Reach out to your regional development commission/organization if located within one.
- Federal Energy Funding for Rural and Remote Areas: A Guide for Communities (DOE Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations)
- Connecting Rural Communities with Historic Federal Clean Energy Investments (ACEEE and Great Plains Institute).
- Federal Funding Opportunities for Local Decarbonization (American Cities Climate Challenge).
Federal Programs:
- Also, learn more about Community Project Requests, also known as Congressionally Directed Spending or earmarks. Community Projects are typically due between January and March. (NLC, 2024)
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Now Open
| Funding Opportunity: | Summary: | Due Dates: |
| None available at this time. See Additional Assistance page for alternative funding opportunities. | ||
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Clean Energy Tax Incentives: Elective Pay Eligible Tax Credits (Direct Pay)
- The IRA makes several clean energy tax credits available to businesses; tax-exempt organizations; state, local, and tribal governments; other entities; and individuals. The IRA also enables entities to take advantage of certain clean energy tax credits through its elective pay provision (also colloquially known as direct pay). Elective pay allows several types of entities, such as tax-exempts and governments, to treat the amount of certain credits as a payment against tax on their tax returns and as a result receive direct payments for certain clean energy tax credits.
- COMING SOON: State Contract for tax credit calculations, audit projections, registration, and 990-T prep and file (MN Admin)
- Register for Elective Payment or Transfer of Credits (IRS) (see the user guide)
- IRS Office Hours: Pre-filing registration and elective payment and transfer of clean energy and CHIPS credits assistance.
- The Clean Energy Tax Credit Navigator (L4GG) can help you learn about and receive assistance on elective pay tax credits for your potential, planned, or completed project.
- Getting Started: New Elective Pay Option for Local Clean Energy Projects (NLC, 2023)
- Making Clean Energy Tax Credits Deliver for the Public: A User Guide for Governments, Schools, and Nonprofits (BlueGreen Alliance, 2023)
- Cities Advancing Climate Action - Unlocking the Potential of the Inflation Reduction Act (Alliance for Sustainable Future, 2023)
| Tax Provision | Summary |
| Production Tax Credit for Electricity from Renewables |
For production of electricity from eligible renewable sources, including wind, biomass, geothermal, solar, small irrigation, landfill and trash, hydropower, marine and hydrokinetic energy. Credit Amount (for 2022): 0.55 cents/kW (2.75 if PWA met).
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| Investment Tax Credit for Energy Property |
For investment in renewable energy projects including fuel cell, solar, geothermal, small wind, energy storage, biogas, microgrid controllers, and combined heat and power properties. Credit Amount: 6% of qualified investment (30% if PWA met).
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| Commercial Clean Vehicle Credit | For purchasers of commercial clean vehicles. Qualifying vehicles include passenger vehicles, buses, ambulances, and certain other vehicles for use on public streets, roads, and highways. Credit Amount: Up to $40,000 (max $7,500 for vehicles <14,000 lbs) |
| Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit | For alternative fuel vehicle refueling and charging property, located in low-income and non-urban areas. Qualified fuels include electricity, ethanol, natural gas, hydrogen, and biodiesel. Credit Amount: 6% of basis for businesses and can increase to 30% if PWA is met. |
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Opening Soon
| Funding Opportunity: | Summary: | Announcement Dates |
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA): Also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, became law on November 15, 2021. The IIJA authorized $1.2 trillion in funding opportunities across a wide variety of infrastructure subject areas, including:
- All IIJA Opportunities for Minnesota (MN Management and Budget)
- MN Dept. of Commerce: available grants, email updates, and opportunities to partner on funding.
- MnDOT: available grants and information about formula funding.
- DOT Navigator, US DOT: technical assistance to help communities understand the best ways to apply for grants, and to apply for and deliver transformative infrastructure projects and services.
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA): became law on August 16, 2022. The IRA authorized billions of dollars in funding opportunities across a wide variety of investment subject areas, including:
- Energy security and climate change investments - The bill includes funding for climate protection, household tax credit/rebates for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, and investments in clean energy production and other projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- CERTs: The IRA, what you need to know about residential and commercial incentives
- MN Dept. of Commerce: Federal funding opportunities for energy infrastructure, grid improvement, energy-related research, rebates, and more.
- Clean Energy Economy Minnesota's IRA breakdown
- Rewiring America's Savings Calculator
- Catalyzing Local Clean Energy: A Roadmap for Maximizing Inflation Reduction Act Opportunities and Community Benefits (American Cities Climate Challenge)
- Climate action and the Inflation Reduction Act: A guide for local government leaders (Climate Mayors and C40)
- Tribal Nations and Native Communities Resource Guide (DOE)
- Inflation Reduction Act Miniguide (Urban Sustainability Directors Network)
- The Inflation Reduction Act and Cities - City Climate Corner podcast
- How Cities Can Make the Most of IRA Dollars — Local Energy Rules podcast