Federal $

Competitive EPA grants for implementing measures contained in the State of Minnesota, any tribal, or Twin Cities metropolitan area Priority Climate Action Plans (PCAPs). Individual grants grants between $2 million and $500 million ($1 to $25 for tribes and territories). 

Partnerships are highly encouraged. GreenStep can help interested communities connect project needs with potential partners and projects.  

General: April 1, 2024 

Tribes and territories: May 1, 2024 

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the opportunity to apply for $1,103,963,762 in competitive grants under the Low or No Emission Grant Program (Low-No Program) and $390,045,823 under the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Program (Buses and Bus Facilities Program). 

The purpose of the Low-No Program is to support the transition of the nation’s transit fleet to the lowest polluting and most energy efficient transit vehicles. The Low-No Program provides funding to state and local governmental authorities for the purchase or lease of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses, including acquisition, construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities.

The purpose of the Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Program is to assist in the financing of buses and bus facilities capital projects, including replacing, rehabilitating, purchasing or leasing buses or related equipment, and rehabilitating, purchasing, constructing or leasing bus-related facilities.

The DOE Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs has issued a FOA with $25 million to accelerate clean energy deployment on Tribal Lands, with a required cost-share of 10-20%.  All proposed projects submitted to the program must have: 1) Completed energy studies and analyses (comprehensive feasibility study and/or energy audit(s) or industrial energy assessment(s)), and 2) Completed development (pre-construction) activities, and design and engineering (except final design and engineering).  Only final design and engineering activities directly resulting in the installation of clean energy technology or infrastructure, or verification of the actual energy generated, displaced, or saved (amount, cost, and percentage) are allowable activities under this FOA. The four Topic Areas of Interest in this opportunity are:

• 1: Clean Energy Generating System(s) and/or Energy Efficiency Measure(s) for Tribal Building(s);
• 2: Community-Scale Clean Energy Generating System(s) or Energy Storage Deployment;
• 3: Integrated Energy System(s) for Autonomous Operation ; or
• 4: Powering Unelectrified Tribal Buildings

EPA funds for community-driven projects which address climate challenges, reducing pollution and strengthening communities.  Projects to be funded will enable disadvantaged communities to overcome longstanding environmental challenges and implement meaningful solutions. EPA will also dedicate $200 million in funding to technical assistance to awardees under this program. Applications will be considered under the following tracks:

• Track I: Community-Driven Investments for Change - focused on multi-faceted applications with Climate Action and Pollution Reduction Strategies to meaningfully improve the environmental, climate, and resilience conditions affecting disadvantaged communities. Approximately 150 grants to be awarded ranging from $10-20 million each. Track 1 applicants who score well on the written application will be invited to participate in an oral presentation to share information about the community-oriented nature of their projects and how they will successfully implement the grant.
• Track II: Meaningful Engagement for Equitable Governance – projects to facilitate the engagement of disadvantaged communities in governmental processes to advance environmental and climate justice. Approximately 20 grants will be awarded, ranging from $1-3 million each. The Track II application process does not involve an oral presentation.

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).

• Clean Energy Production Tax Credits available for clean electricity for facilities that begin construction and are placed in service after 2024; credits starting in 2025. 

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).

• Clean Electricity Investment Tax Credit available for facilities that begin construction and are place in service after 2024. 
• Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit available for small-scale solar and wind or clean electricity facilities on Indian land, federally subsidized housing, in low-income communities, and benefit low-income households. Allocated through an application process. Credit Amount: 10 or 20 percentage point increase on base investment tax credit.