December 2, 2022
Infrastructure Update
Stay informed on national infrastructure programs, funding, and developments with our weekly article.
Press Releases
DOE Launches $80 Million Program for Energy Upgrades in Public Schools
November 29, 2022 | Source: DOE
On Tuesday, the Biden-Harris Administration announced The Renew America’s Schools grant program. The BIL funding, administered through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), makes $80 Million available for public schools to apply for energy upgrades and improvements. The program is part of the Administration Action Plan for Building Better School Infrastructure, and a “first-of-its-kind investment” to create better learning environments and lower utility costs, allowing schools to redirect funds to support students and teachers. The deadline for concept papers is January 26, 2023 and full applications are due April 21, 2023.
Inflation Reduction Act Funds Landmark Agreements to Accelerate Salton Sea Restoration
November 28, 2022 | Source: DOI
On Monday, The Department of the Interior (DOI) announced efforts to mitigate the drought crisis impacting California’s largest lake, the Salton Sea. Due to the drought the Salton Sea’s waterline is receding and exposing lakebeds, causing dust emissions to harm the surrounding environment and wildlife. Under the agreement, DOI’s Bureau of Reclamation will provide $22 million in funds from the Inflation Reduction Act in fiscal year 2023 to accelerate the implementation of dust suppression and aquatic restoration efforts.
EPA Announces $52M in Grants for States to Support Clean Water, Flood Resilience, and Water Equity
November 29, 2022 | Source: EPA
On Tuesday the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $52 million in grants to improve essential stormwater infrastructure. The grants will be used by states to invest in projects that reduce flooding and help prevent contaminants from polluting waterways. According to the press release, the program addresses water pollution from stormwater, which collects pollutants including trash, chemicals, oils, and dirt/sediment. This grant funding is in addition to $11.7 billion in funding from the BIL to improve wastewater and stormwater infrastructure in communities across the country.
DOI Makes $135 Million Commitment to Support Relocation of Tribal Communities Affected by Climate Change
November 30, 2022 | Source: DOI
The Biden-Harris administration announced the launch of a new Voluntary Community-Driven Relocation program, led by the Department of the Interior (DOI), to assist Tribal communities severely impacted by climate-related environmental threats. Through investments from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, the Department is committing $115 million for 11 severely impacted Tribes to advance relocation efforts and adaptation planning. Additional support for relocation will be provided by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) and the Denali Commission.
Biden-Harris Administration Announces $550 Million in Clean Energy Funding to Benefit and Lower Costs for More than 250 Million Americans
November 22, 2022 | Source: DOE
The DOE released a Notice of Intent announcing $550 million to support community-based clean energy in state, Tribal, and local governments — serving more than 250 million Americans. This investment in American communities, through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program, will support communities across the country to develop local programming and deploy clean energy technologies to cut emissions, reduce consumers’ energy costs, and help meet President Biden’s goal of a net-zero economy by 2050.
Federal Funding
Details on available infrastructure-related funding opportunities.
| Opportunity Number | Opportunity Title | Agency | Deadline | Award Ceiling |
| FAA-ARP-BIL-G-23-001 | FY 2023 BIL FAA Contract Tower (FCT) Competitive Grant Program | DOT-FAA | 12/06/2022 | $20,000,000 |
| DE-FOA-0002802 | BIL Section 40334: Pumped Storage Hydropower Wind and Solar Integration and System Reliability Initiative | DOE-EERE | 12/15/2022 | $10,000,000 |
| DE-FOA-0002879 | Energy Efficiency Materials Pilot for Nonprofits | DOE-GFO | 12/22/2022 | RFI |
| FCC-ACOGP-23-001 | Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program | FCC | 01/09/2023 | $1,000,000 |
| FR-6600-N-34 | Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant Program | HUD | 01/11/2023 | $50,000,000 |
| DE-FOA-0002867 | BIL: Long Duration Energy Storage Demonstrations FOA | DOE-GFO | 03/03/2023 | $349,000,000 |
| RUS-23-01-DLT | Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants | USDA-RUS | 01/30/2023 | $64,000,000 |
| EPA-I-OLEM-OBLR-22-11 | Technical Assistance to Brownfield Communities | EPA | 02/14/2023 | $53,000,000 |
| DE-FOA-0002779 | Additional Clean Hydrogen Programs (Section 40314): Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) | DOE-GFO | 4/7/2023 | $1,250,000,000 |
| DE-FOA-0002756 | 2022 FOA for Energy Improvements at Public K-12 School Facilities - BIL - Renew America's Schools | DOE-GFO | 04/21/2023 | $80,000,000 |
Upcoming Committee Hearings on Infrastructure:
Tuesday December 6
Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
10:00 AM (EST)
Hearing: to examine the 2023 Farm Bill, focusing on research programs.
House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis
1:30 PM (EST)
Hearing: Solving the Climate Crisis: Key Accomplishments, Additional Opportunities, and the Need for Continued Action
Past Committee Hearings:
Wednesday, November 30
Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
10:00 AM (EST)
Meeting: Hearings to examine putting the Bipartisan Infrastructure law to work, focusing on the private sector perspective.
Tuesday, November 15
Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
10:00 AM (EST)
Meeting: Hearings to examine the 2023 Farm Bill, focusing on rural development and energy programs.
Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure
2:30 PM (EST)
Meeting: Hearings to examine implementing IIJA, focusing on opportunities for local jurisdictions to address transportation challenges.
Wednesday, November 16
House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics
10:30 AM (EST)
Hearing: Unfolding the Universe: Initial Science Results from the James Webb Space Telescope
Thursday, November 17
House Committee on Natural Resources
10:00 AM (EST)
Hearing: Hybrid Oversight Hearing on "Puerto Rico's Post-Disaster Reconstruction & Power Grid Development"
House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation
10:00 AM (EST)
Hearing: Accessible Air Travel: Addressing Challenges for Passengers with Disabilities
10:00 AM (EST)
Hearing: Nominations to the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board.
Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
11:00 AM (EST)
Hearing: Nominations to the Department of Energy
