ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Summit early bird registration is open. April 30 – May 2, 2025 in Madison, WI. Also check out the incredible mobile workshop options happening during the Summit!
- Grant Training Recordings from SIUE will be uploaded on the MCC Grant Development Training webpage later today!
- Atlas is backing up federal press releases, awards, resources, and data that may or may not be available following the inauguration. Do you have any links or resources you’d like saved for posterity? Let the folks at Climate Program Portal know at info@climateprogramportal.org.
- ICYMI: EPA released its Investing in America Report detailing the agency’s progress in implementing clean energy, pollution prevention, and environmental justice programs advanced by BIL and IRA. – interactive map of select EPA projects
- EPA awarded $38.4 billion in funds appropriated by IRA—which represents 93% of grant funding made available by the law—including all $27 billion in Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund awards.
- 2024 Investing in America Report: Progress under The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law & The Inflation Reduction Act
- Check out additional highlights from the report here and congratulations to everyone that received a portion of this funding! We know it takes an immense amount of work and patience to apply and manage!
- Energy communities can now apply to participate in EPA’s Energy Communities Technical Assistance program. Three energy communities will be selected to receive technical assistance to support their goals toward energy transition and economic diversification.
- Update on Des Moines: City Council Member response
- Final rules on clean energy investment and production tax credits
AWARDS
- The USDA announced $180 million for 586 projects through the Rural Energy for America Program and Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program. Of the 586, 287 were awarded to all 12 of our Midwest States! See the breakdown below: Congrats to all!
- The DOI announced $121 million to help Tribes build climate resilience; this includes $17.1 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, $79.8 million from the Inflation Reduction Act, and $24.2 million from fiscal year 2024 annual appropriations. Over a dozen Midwest Tribes and Tribal organizations were among the awardees.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
- Municipal Investment Fund (MIF) Request for Proposals (RFP) with ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability USA) – (one pager)
- Industrial Energy Storage Prize: Accepting applications for Phase #1. $4.8M The Industrial Energy Storage Systems Prize is a $4.8 million challenge sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office (IEDO). The prize seeks cost-effective energy storage concepts for industrial facilities that enhance energy efficiency and are applicable across industrial sectors. Open to individuals; private entities (for-profits and nonprofits); non-federal government entities such as states, counties, tribes, and municipalities; and academic institutions.
- Deadline: April 29, 2025
- Informational Webinar, Jan. 28th Register here if interested!
- Region 7 Grantmaker awards closing Jan. 31 (few more rounds after that)
RESOURCES
- Midwest BDC Rebates Resource Page
- EPN (Environmental Protection network) – Latest update
- 1:1 Grant awardee support
- Federal funding landscape under Trump 2.0
- Grantmakers AI assistance trainings! (and more from EPN)
- Lawyers for Good Gov’t – tax navigator (EV fleet, EV charging/infrastructure/solar, wind & geothermal)
- EPA PCAP resource