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
Low-Cost Lightweight Portable Photovoltaics. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency will award grants for innovative research related to technologies that will reduce the weight and cost of portable photovoltaic devices, while supporting power conversion efficiency. Research projects in four technical areas will be considered: (1) light acquisition and energy capture, including improved photon capture, reduced reflection and optical techniques boosting photovoltaic efficiency; (2) carrier extraction, including minimization of electron-hole recombination and resistive losses; (3) robust and durable portability, including resistance to extreme environments and rough handling; and (4) flexibility, including ability of systems to take a variety of forms and achieve maximum multi-axis flexibility.
Optional proposal abstract deadline: June 8, 2009
Current full proposal deadline: August 24, 2009
For details, click here.
Research and Development of Hydrogen Sensor Technologies. The application deadline for the Hydrogen Sensor Technologies program has been extended.
New application deadline: May 14, 2009
For details, click here.
To view a full summary of the Hydrogen Sensor Technologies program, click here.
Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR); Building EPSCoR–State/National Laboratory Partnerships. DOE will award grants for energy related research undertaken by collaborative partnerships between academic or industrial researchers (who are eligible for the DOE EPSCoR program) and researchers at DOE National Laboratories. Proposed research must advance fundamental scientific and engineering research in the area of energy, and foster research partnerships between eligible entities and DOE National Laboratories. Student and/or post-doctoral fellow participation is required.
Current application deadline: November 9, 2009
For details, click here.
Enhanced Geothermal Systems Component Research and Development/Analysis. DOE will award grants in amounts ranging from $1,500,000 to $5,000,000 for projects involving cost-effective creation, management and utilization of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) in reservoir environments. Projects in the following topic areas will be considered: air cooling; drilling systems; high temperature down-hole tools; high-volume lifting and pumping; zonal isolation; integrated chemical, thermal and hydrological modeling; image fluid flow; induced seismicity; geophysical exploration technologies; stimulation prediction models; geothermal analysis; smart tracers; supercritical carbon dioxide/reservoir rock chemical interactions; tracers and tracer interpretation; and working fluids for binary power plants. Collaboration between academia, industry and National Laboratories is encouraged.
Current application deadline: June 15, 2009
For details, click here.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS
EPA Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grant Supplemental Funding. EPA has announced the availability of approximately $40 million in ARRA funds to supplement eligible brownfields RLF grants. Eligible grantees must have made at least one loan or subgrant and "effectively utilized existing available loan funds." There is no maximum amount of supplemental funding that can be requested, and while individual subgrants are limited to $200,000 per site, grantees may petition EPA to waive that limit.
Current application deadline: May 1, 2009
For details, click here.
EPA Region 6–Healthy Indoor Environments Projects. EPA has issued a request for proposals for projects within Region 6 that (1) result in effective indoor air quality management practices in schools; (2) provide education to asthmatics and/or their caregivers; or (3) provide professional training on environmental management of asthma. Approximately $150,000 in funding is available (ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 per applicant).
Current application deadline: June 16, 2009
For details, click here.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS RELATED TO FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) Trust Fund. EPA has announced that it has awarded $200 million in ARRA funds to assess and clean up underground storage tank leaks across the country. EPA provided $190.7 million to states and territories for cooperative agreements with existing underground tank programs, provided $6.3 million for existing EPA in-house contracts to do LUST eligible work (such as site assessment and cleanup activities) in Indian country, and retained $3 million for management and oversight.
For details by state and territory, click here.
Department of Labor to Use ARRA Funds for Green Jobs Training. U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis announced plans last week to put $500 million in ARRA funds toward labor exchange and job training projects that will prepare workers for careers in energy efficiency and renewable energy industries. The Department of Labor will soon issue solicitations for grant applications, through which the funds will be awarded.
To view the full press release, click here.
Vice President Biden Announces ARRA Funding for Clean Cities Program. Vice President Biden announced last week that an additional $300 million in funding will be provided to state and local governments and transit authorities to expand the nation's fleet of clean vehicles and the fueling infrastructure necessary to support them. Projects funded under the program are expected to create tens of thousands of jobs, while aiding state and local governments in making significant investments in clean transportation infrastructure.
To view the full press release, click here.
To view a current solicitation issued under the Clean Cities program, click here.
