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May 12, 2023
Infrastructure Update
Stay informed on U.S. infrastructure news, funding, and awards with our weekly article.
Press Releases
Department of Commerce Announces First Tech Hubs Funding Opportunity
May 12, 2023 | Source: DOC
Today, Economic Development Administration (EDA) launched the Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (Tech Hubs) competition. Authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act, the program will establish tech hubs nationally to support innovation for technologies that are essential for economic and national security. The Tech Hubs Program is intended to advance the capacities of places to manufacture, commercialize, and deploy these technologies.
DOE Announces $50 Million for Rural and Remote Community-based Energy Projects
May 11, 2023 | Source: DOE
On Thursday, DOE announced $50 million in new BIL grant funding for community-based energy projects located in rural and remote areas. The program's purpose is to increase energy affordability and promote climate resilience in areas with fewer than 10,000 people by supporting projects with a dollar amount of $500,000 to $5 million. The funding supports rural and remote communities to develop and deploy sustainable energy solutions to lower energy costs, create healthier environments, and support economic development. The submission deadline for pre-applications is July 13, 2023, and full applications are due by October 12, 2023.
EPA Announces Availability of $30 Million for Great Lakes Environmental Justice Grant Program
May 10, 2023| Source: EPA
On Wednesday, EPA announced the availability of $30 million for the BIL-funded Great Lakes Environmental Justice Grant Program. The program supports the implementation of environmental protection and restoration projects that will further the goals of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) in communities with environmental justice concerns. Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, state or interstate agencies, federally recognized Indian Tribes and tribal organizations, and local governments. Applications are due August 11, 2023.
DOE Announces $554 Million for Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity Incentives
May 8, 2023| Source: DOE
On Monday, DOE announced $553.6 million through the Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity Incentives to enhance existing hydropower and pumped storage facilities for capital improvements related to grid resilience, dam safety, and environmental improvements. Potential eligible capital improvements include improvements that enable the integration of variable resources, such as wind and solar; improvements for dam safety, such as spillway upgrades and erosion repair; and improvements in environmental conditions, such as fish passage, water quality and recreation. Letters of Intent to submit full applications under the Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity Incentives are due June 22, 2023, 5:00 p.m.ET. Full applications will be due October 6, 2023.
Featured Awards:
$40 Million for More Efficient Cooling for Data Centers
May 9, 2023 - DOE awarded $40 million to 15 projects that will develop high-performance, energy efficient cooling solutions for data centers. Data centers account for approximately 2% of total U.S. electricity consumption, and data center cooling can account for up to 40% of data center energy usage overall. Located at national labs, universities, and businesses, the projects aim to reduce the energy necessary to cool data centers.
$26 Million to Support Clean Energy Grid
May 10, 2023 - DOE awarded $26 million for 8 selected projects to demonstrate how solar, wind, storage, and other clean energy resources can support a reliable and efficient U.S. power grid. Funded by the BIL, the projects will deploy innovative clean energy technologies at 15 sites across the country to build and support a resilient grid that automatically adjusts to changing demands.
Federal Funding Opportunities:
| Opportunity Number | Opportunity Title | Agency | Deadline | Funding |
| DE-FOA-0002740 | BIL Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) | DOE-NETL | 05/19/2023 | $3,900,000,000 |
| 693JJ323NF00004 | Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program | DOT-FHWA | 05/30/2023 | $700,000,000 |
| EPA-I-R10-PS-2023-002 | Ensuring Environmental Justice, Human Wellbeing, And Ecosystem Recovery In Puget Sound | EPA | 05/31/2023 | $7,000,000 |
| EPA-I-OCSPP-OPPT-FY2023-001 | FY 2023 – FY 2024 Pollution Prevention Grants: Environmental Justice in Communities | EPA | 06/6/2023 | $8,000,000 |
| DE-FOA-0002907 | BIL Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grant Program Section 40209 | DOE-NETL | 06/08/2023 | $350,000,000 |
| DE-FOA-0002826 | BIL Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) Pilot Demonstrations | DOE-GFO | 06/16/2023 | $74,000,000 |
| EPA-I-OCSPP-OPPT-FY2023-002 | FY 2023 – FY 2024 Pollution Prevention Grants: Environmental Justice Through Safer and More Sustainable Products | EPA | 06/20/2023 | $8,000,000 |
| RUS-BTA-2023 | Broadband Technical Assistance | USDA-RUS | 06/20/2023 | $20,000,000 |
| DOT-SS4A-FY23-01 | Safe Streets and Roads for All | DOT-DOT X-50 | 07/10/2023 | $1,177,213,000 |
| DE-FOA-0002940 | BIL: Industrial Assessment Center (IAC) Program and Building Training and Assessment Centers (BTAC) Program | DOE-GFO | 07/31/2023 | $54,000,000 |
| DE-FOA-0003055 | Notice of Intent (NOI): Technical Assistance for the Adoption of the Latest and Zero Building Energy Codes or Standards | DOE-GFO | 09/30/2023 | NOI |
| DE-FOA-0003026 | BIL: Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies (Affect) Advancing Net-zero Federal Facilities | DOE-GFO | 11/27/2024 | $250,000,000 |
Committee Hearings on Infrastructure:
Upcoming Hearings:
House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy, Climate and Grid Security
10:00 AM (EDT) | May 16, 2023
Markup: Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Markup
House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
10:00 AM (EDT) | May 16, 2023
Hearing: The Next Fifty Years of the Clean Water Act: Examining the Law and Infrastructure Project Completion
House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management
10:00 AM (EDT) | May 17, 2023
Hearing: The Impacts of FEMA's Strategic Plan on Disaster Preparedness and Response
Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy
3:00 PM (EDT) | May 18, 2023
Meeting: Hearings to examine rural broadband, focusing on connecting our communities to the digital economy.
Past Hearings:
Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
10:00 AM (EDT) | 5/2/23
Meeting: Hearings to examine improving access to Federal grants for underserved communities.
Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
10:00 AM (EDT) | 5/2/23
Meeting: Hearings to examine reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program, focusing on improving community resilience.
Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development
2:45 PM (EDT) | 5/2/23
Meeting: Hearings to examine rural housing legislation
Senate Committee on the Budget
10:00 AM (EDT) | 5/3/23
Meeting: Hearings to examine the real cost of fossil fuels.
