December 09, 2022
Infrastructure Update
Stay informed on national infrastructure programs, funding, and developments with our weekly article.
Press Releases
USDOT: Largest Investments in 50 Years to Expand Intercity Passenger Rail Across America
Dec. 7, 2022 | Source: USDOT
On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced the availability of $2.3 billion in funding to expand and modernize intercity passenger rail nationwide through the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program (Partnership Program). The investments support the expansion or establishment of new intercity passenger and high-speed rail services and projects that improve the safety, reliability, and performance of intercity passenger rail services.
Registration Open for EPA Virtual Public Hearing on Supplemental Proposal to Cut Methane Pollution
Dec. 6, 2022 | Source: EPA
On Tuesday, registration opened for the EPA’s virtual public hearing on the supplemental proposal to strengthen the EPA's proposed standards, reducing methane and harmful air pollutants from oil and natural gas operations. The hearing is January 10 and 11, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m (EST). To register to speak, or to watch the livestreams from the hearings, click here. Registration is open until January 5, 2023.
Biden-Harris Administration Announces First-Ever Federal Building Performance Standard
Dec. 7, 2022 | Source: The White House, DOE
On Wednesday, the Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the first-ever Federal Building Performance Standard. The new rule will cut energy use and electrify equipment and appliances in 30 percent of the building space owned by the Federal government by 2030. According to the DOE, “fossil fuels used in federal buildings account for over 25% of all federal emissions... (the) DOE estimates that the new emission reductions requirements would save taxpayers $8 million annually in upfront equipment costs.” In addition, the rule will accelerate phasing out on-site fossil-fuel usage in federal buildings for end-uses (i.e. heating and water heating) to be replaced with modernized infrastructure.
DOT Announces New Actions to Support Better, Safer Infrastructure in Indian Country
Dec. 6, 2022 | Source: USDOT
Last week, at the Tribal Nations Summit, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced new and expanded actions in providing infrastructure funding to Indian Country. Included in the announcements were the Regional Tribal Technical Assistance Program (TTAP), to assist Tribal communities through training, technical assistance, and technology services, and the Electric Vehicle Initiative for Tribal Nations, to ensure Tribal Nations and Native communities are included in national EV investments. In addition, Buttigieg confirmed plans for the second Tribal Aviation Symposium in 2023 and announced the DOT will host its first-ever Tribal Transit Symposium and its first-ever Tribal Maritime Roundtable. The DOT also aims to improve highway safety, as motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
New Clean Energy Workforce Training Programs to Bolster Domestic Manufacturing and Energy Efficiency in Commercial and Institutional Buildings
Dec. 6, 2022 | Source: DOE
On Tuesday, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the intended investment of $72 million of BIL funds to expand the Industrial Assessment Centers (IACs) Program. The funding will establish up to five regional Centers of Excellence and create new IACs at trade schools, community colleges, and union training programs. Investments will also go towards new Building Training Assessment Centers (BTACs) for workforce development to support energy efficiency and emissions reductions in commercial and institutional buildings.
Featured Award Notifications:
DOE Announces $8 Million to Integrate Solar Energy Production with Farming
Dec. 8, 2022 | Source: DOE
On Thursday, The DOE awarded six projects that will examine multiple configurations of solar system design, crops and cultivation methods, and soil and environmental conditions. The funding supports agrivoltaics—the co-location of agricultural production and solar energy generation on the same land—and aims to reduce barriers to utility-and community-scale solar energy deployment while maximizing benefits for farmers and local communities. Winners of the funding are Iowa State University (Ames, IA), Rutgers University (Piscataway, NJ), Solar and Storage Industries Institute (Washington, D.C.), The Ohio State University (Columbus, OH), University of Alaska Fairbanks (Fairbanks, AK), and the University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ).
USDOT: BIL-Funded Infrastructure Projects
Dec. 5, 2022 | Source: USDOT
On Monday, the DOT highlighted several BIL-funded projects that have positively impacted States and local governments across the country. Highlights include the 22nd Street Revitalization Project in Tucson, Arizona, the Maritime Support Facility Access/Terminal Island Rail System Project at the Port of Los Angeles, The Lake Street Multimodal Improvements Project in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and more.
USDA: $981 Million to Expand Market Opportunities for Rural Businesses and Entrepreneurs
Dec. 6, 2022 | Source: USDA
On Tuesday, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the investment of $981 million to help create new and better market opportunities and expand essential services for rural people, businesses and entrepreneurs in 47 states, Guam and the Virgin Islands. The funding will help retain resources and wealth made by rural people through affordable financing and technical assistance. The investments will also help rural Americans start businesses, allow small business owners to grow, and open the door to new economic opportunities for communities and people who historically have lacked access to critical resources and financing.
Federal Funding
Details on available infrastructure-related funding opportunities.
| Opportunity Number | Opportunity Title | Agency | Deadline | Award Ceiling |
| 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-0002894 | Carbon Dioxide Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation (CIFIA) Program: Future Growth Grants | DOE-NETL | 1/17/2023 | RFI |
| 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-0002867 | BIL: Long Duration Energy Storage Demonstrations FOA | DOE-GFO | 03/03/2023 | $349,000,000 |
| 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 |
Committee Hearings on Infrastructure:
Upcoming Hearings:
Tuesday, December 13
Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Communication, Media, and Broadband
10:00 AM (EST) Meeting: Hearings to examine solutions to meet America's broadband needs.
Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
10:00 AM (EST) Meeting: Hearings to examine the Department of the Interior's implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance, and Investment
2:30 PM (EST) Meeting: Hearings to examine how capital markets serve diverse entrepreneurs and investors.
2:30 PM (EST) Meeting: Hearings to examine promoting and investing in small American manufacturers.
Wednesday, December 14
House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Research and Technology
10:00 AM (EST) Hearing: Building Regional Innovation Economies Part II
Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
2:30 PM (EST) Meeting: Hearings to examine improving access to capital in underserved communities, focusing on the Community Advantage program, microloans, and other Small Business Administration initiatives.
Thursday, December 15
10:00 AM (EST) Meeting: Hearings to examine the impact of plastic use and identifying solutions for reducing plastic waste.
Past Hearings:
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
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.
