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.
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.
Click here to view the EECBG fact sheet.
Click here to view community energy planning suggestions.
Click here for an example of a collaborative energy audit project.
Click here to view the application.
Electric School Bus Grants: Equipment
Purpose: To accelerate School Districts’ adoption of electric school buses and to encourage schools to use vehicle electrification as a teaching tool that can be integrated into the school’s curriculum. Funding may be utilized for 1) Funding for eligible applicants to pay for technical assistance in preparation for adopting electric school buses, and 2) Funding to pay for electric school buses and other necessary equipment.
Eligibility: Independent School Districts, special School Districts, Tribal contract schools, an electric utility applying on behalf of a School District, an electric vehicle service provider applying on behalf of a School District, or a transportation service provider applying on behalf of a School District.
Deadline: May 13, 2025.
Great Lakes Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program
Purpose: To make it easier for tribes, community-based organizations, and local governments to access federal funding for
environmental and public health projects. It aims to remove barriers and improve the efficiency of the awards process to ensure communities that have experienced underinvestment can access the benefits of this funding.
Eligibility: Tribal governments, Native American and Indigenous organizations (including groups, cooperatives, nonprofit corporations, and partnerships), community-based and grassroots nonprofit organizations, philanthropic and civic organizations, local governments (cities, towns, municipalities, counties, public housing authorities, councils of government), institutions of higher education (including private, public, and community colleges and universities).
Deadline: Grant Applications will be accepted until November 2026. Grant announcements will be made several times a year until the end of 2026. The partnership anticipates making 206 grants: 83 in Year 1, 85 in Year 2, and 38 in Year 3.
Minnesota Energy Storage Incentives
Purpose: To provide incentives to stimulate the installation of storage systems paired with solar PV installation systems outside of Xcel service territory.
Deadline: Funds available on a first come, first serve basis until the funding has been fully distributed or June 30, 2027, whichever occurs first.
Direct/Elective Pay Can Help Finance Projects
Through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), 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.
Click here to view IRA Direct/Elective Pay Post-Election Guidance.
