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:
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
Industrial Energy Efficiency Grand Challenge. DOE will award up to $300,000 per applicant for cost shared research and development projects involving transformational manufacturing processes and technologies that reduce the energy intensity or greenhouse gas emissions of such processes by a minimum of 25%, while providing a return on investment of at least 10%. Applications for projects involving collaboration are strongly encouraged.
Current application deadline: July 14, 2009
For details, click here.
Algal Road Mapping Request for Information. DOE is soliciting comments from relevant stakeholders, who did not participate in the DOE Algal Biofuels Technology Roadmap Workshop, on a National Algal Biofuels Technology Roadmap. Feedback will be incorporated into the final draft report for public release.
Current deadline for submission of information: August 3, 2009
For details, click here.
Site Characterization of Promising Geologic Formations for CO2 Storage. DOE will award a minimum of $3,000,000 per applicant for characterization of geologic formations with storage potential of at least 30 million tons of CO2. It is expected that the characterizations will further understanding of the potential for commercial development of safe and permanent CO2 storage.
Current application deadline: August 3, 2009
For details, click here.
Geothermal Technologies Program: Ground Source Heat Pumps. DOE will award up to $5,000,000 per applicant for projects that will increase deployment of ground source heat pumps through new commercialization strategies that incorporate: (1) innovative commercial-scale or residential community technology demonstration projects; (2) data gathering and analysis related to system costs, performance, and installation techniques; and (3) a national GHP certification standard. Projects that create a large number of jobs, include collaboration, contemplate aggressive schedules for completion or cost share above the minimum level required are encouraged.
Current application deadline: August 6, 2009
For details, click here.
Wind Energy Consortia Between Institutions of Higher Learning and Industry. DOE will award up to $12,000,000 per consortia for research on critical challenges facing the wind industry. To be eligible, consortia must involve industry participants and an institution of higher education. Research should implicate one of two areas of interest: (1) turbine reliability and wind resource research, or (2) advanced materials design, turbine performance and systems operations research.
Current application deadline: July 29, 2009
For details, click here.
Novel Non-Precious Metal Hydrogen Separation and Production R & D. DOE will fund projects under the Hydrogen and Clean Fuels Program for novel hydrogen production technologies. Applications are sought in two topic areas: (1) novel, non-precious metal hydrogen separation, and (2) hydrogen production research and development.
Current application deadline: July 1, 2009
For details, click here.
Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E). The application deadline for this funding announcement has been extended.
New application deadline: June 10, 2009
For details, click here.
To view a full summary of the solicitation, click here.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS
USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Technical Assistance and Training Grant Program–Water Resource Studies. RUS is providing a total of $500,000 in funding to conduct water resource studies evaluating and recommending sources of dependable water supply that can be developed and used by rural communities in one or more of the hurricane-affected states of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. Applicants must be qualified private non-profit organizations.
Current application deadline: June 29, 2009
For details, click here and here.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) National Fish Habitat Action Plan and National Fish Passage Program. USFWS has announced the availability of $4.8 million in ARRA funding for habitat restoration projects through the National Fish Habitat Action Plan Program and National Fish Passage Program. The funds are available for habitat restoration projects (up to $500,000 per award) addressing high priority aquatic habitats, and directly benefiting Federal Trust species (i.e., migratory birds, threatened and endangered species, inter-jurisdictional fish, certain marine mammals, and species of international concern). Eligible applicants include private landowners, tribal governments, local governments, state governments, and educational institutions and organizations.
Current application deadline: September 30, 2009
For details, click here and here.
