The recent passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), together with existing legislation such as the 2008 Farm Bill, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, and the Energy Policy Act of 2005, has created unprecedented opportunities for renewable energy and clean technology companies to obtain funding from the federal government for a wide variety of energy and environmental projects. A summary of the major funding opportunities announced by the federal government during the last week can be viewed by clicking on the following links:
- Renewable and Clean Technologies
- Environmental Programs
- Recent Developments Related to Funding Opportunities
Funding under these programs will be awarded on a competitive basis and under tight application deadlines. Applications must contain detailed information regarding an applicant's proposal, and actual funding awards require the negotiation of detailed documentation similar to that used in complex project financings.
WilmerHale's Energy and Clean Technology practice group has extensive experience in the areas of public policy, government contracting, project finance and development, and energy regulation. We are uniquely positioned to expertly advise renewable energy and clean technology companies on the complex issues and opportunities that arise in connection with these federal funding opportunities, and to assist companies in both obtaining government funding and successfully developing their projects.
RENEWABLE AND CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES
Smart Grid Information Clearinghouse. Modifications related to registration and submission requirements were made this week to the Smart Grid Information Clearinghouse solicitation. The application deadline was also extended.
New application deadline: April 13, 2009
For details, click here.
To view a full summary of the Smart Grid Information Clearinghouse solicitation, click here.
Technology Innovation Program. The Department of Commerce will award grants of up to $9,000,000 per applicant to companies and joint ventures for high-risk, high-reward research and development projects related to civil infrastructure or manufacturing. In the manufacturing area, projects related to process scale-up, integration and design of advanced materials, or predictive modeling for advanced materials processing, are encouraged. The goal of the program is to make strides in materials performance, with practical applications ranging from producing high-strength alloys for lighter vehicles, to development of composites for use in large, high-efficiency turbines.
Current application deadline: June 23, 2009
Fundamental Developments in Sensors and Controls for Power and Fuel Systems. The National Energy Technology Laboratory will award grants for innovative fundamental and applied research projects that will support full-scale implementation and operation of high efficiency, near zero emission power generation technologies, including advanced combustion, gasification, turbines, fuel cells, gas cleaning and separation, and carbon capture.
Current application deadline: May 12, 2009
For details, click here.
Advanced Synchrophasor Research. DOE will award up to $2,250,000 per applicant for innovative applied research and development on the use of synchrophasor data to improve the reliability of electricity delivery. Projects studying technologies that would improve electricity reliability and market efficiency and that rely on data exchange among electric utility companies and other organizations from high-speed, time-synchronized measurement devices installed in generation stations and substations are encouraged. Projects may include, but are not limited to, monitoring and visualization for improved control room operations, wide-area control and protection, power system restoration, and improved wholesale market efficiency.
Current application deadline: May 27, 2009
For details, click here.
Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program. NRCS is purchasing easements on floodplain lands that meet established criteria and priorities of the EWP Program. Landowners retain several rights to the property, including quiet enjoyment, the right to control public access, and the right to undeveloped recreational use of such as hunting and fishing.
Current application deadline: April 10, 2009
For details, click here.
Joint US-UK Research Program: Environmental Behavior, Bioavailability and Effects of Manufactured Nanomaterials. The Environmental Protection Agency seeks applications from US-UK consortia to propose, validate, and refine integrated model(s) of fate, behavior, bioavailability and effects for nanomaterials over key environmental pathways. The program also is seeking proposals to develop methods and tools to detect, assess, and monitor the presence of nanomaterials in biological and environmental samples. Eligible applicants for this funding (up to $2 million per award) include public and private nonprofit entities, states, and local governments.
Current application deadline: August 5, 2009
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS RELATED TO FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
DOE to Award $3.2 Billion in Energy Efficiency Block Grants. DOE announced last week that it will provide $3.2 billion to cities, counties, states, territories and tribal lands for energy efficiency and conservation projects under its Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program. Measures to be supported by the program include energy audits, efficiency upgrades, development of advanced building codes, and other energy conservation measures. A formula that takes into account variables such as population size and energy consumption was used to determine funding allocation amounts under the program. Entities receiving grants have begun to announce plans for allocation of the funds.
For details and funding announcements by state, click here and here.
Comments on FERC Smart Grid Policy Due May 11, 2009. As previously reported here, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission recently published a proposed policy statement for Smart Grid development. Comments on the proposed policy are due on May 11, 2009.
