Thank you for visiting the clean energy page of the UMVRDC! This page will show available clean energy and resilience-related federal and state grant opportunities and will be updated often. Please contact Nick Gjerde, UMVRDC Clean Energy Community Development Specialist for additional information or application assistance by sending an email to: nick@umvrdc.org.
Direct/Elective Pay Can Help Finance Projects
Through the Inflation Reduction Act, a new IRS tax credit rule provides a rebate to nontax paying governments to incentivize 12 existing tax credit programs. Creating a minimum 30% financing support for things like clean energy production and clean vehicles. Governments can do multiple projects that receive credit. Direct/elective pay is a reimbursement you claim after completing the project.
Application due: You must claim the reimbursement in the tax year you expend the funds.
Implementation Grants for Wastewater Resilience
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has $10 million available for the implementation of projects that support community planning for climate resiliency and water infrastructure that will allow for adaptation for a changing climate. The funding provides an opportunity for communities to address implementation needs in regard to wastewater asset vulnerability, inefficiency, and lack of resiliency during extreme weather events and the ongoing impacts of Minnesota’s changing climate.
Application due: September 26, 2024
Community Change Grant Program
The Environmental Protection Agency has $1 billion available through the Inflation Reduction Act to provide to transform communities across the United States into healthy, climate resilient, and thriving communities for their current and future residents. Funding for this program is available to a partnership of two community-based non-profit organizations, or a partnership between a community-based non-profit organization and a federally recognized Tribe, local government, or institution of higher education.
Application due: November 21, 2024
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant
The Minnesota Department of Commerce has provided the UMVRDC with funding through their Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) program utilizing funds from the U.S. Dept. of Energy. Cities may apply to the UMVRDC to use the funds of up to $20,000 for a variety of energy planning and project development uses that result in measurable increases in energy efficiency or renewable energy.
Application due: No deadline, however projects must be complete by June 30, 2026. Disadvantaged communities have priority access to funding until December 31, 2024.
Click here to view the EECBG fact sheet.
Click here to view the application.
Clean School Bus Program
The Environmental Protection Agency through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides $5 billion over five years (FY 2022-2026) to replace existing school buses with zero-emission clean school buses. Program is available either through a rebate program or a grant funding program.
Application due: The next round of funding for this program is expected to begin in fall 2024.
Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has funding available for states, local governments, and Tribes as they work to reduce their hazard risk. The program supports communities to build capability and capacity, while also encouraging and aiding innovation. Mitigating planning breaks the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage. Hazard mitigation includes long-term solutions that reduce the impact of disasters in the future.
Application due: The next round of funding for this program is expected to begin in fall 2024.
