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
Enhanced Geothermal Systems Demonstration. DOE will award grants for projects that will quantitatively demonstrate and validate techniques in a variety of geologic formations that sustain sufficient fluid flow and heat extraction rates for 5-7 years, and that produce up to 50 MWe per year. Projects that characterize, stimulate and validate underutilized geothermal resources in urban or rural areas with high electricity costs will also be considered.
Current application deadline: June 30, 2009
For details, click here.
Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E). DOE will award up to $20,000,000 per applicant for research and development of transformational energy related technologies. This announcement is aimed primarily at prospective applicants who have an existing R&D plan for a high-risk, novel concept capable of transition into industrial development and deployment.
Concept paper deadline: June 2, 2009
For details, click here.
Source Reduction Assistance (SRA) Grant Program. EPA anticipates awarding grants and cooperative agreements to support pollution prevention/source reduction and/or resource conservation projects that reduce or eliminate pollution. EPA estimates $130,000 will be available per region (except for Region 8), and awards will be $10,000 – $130,000 each. The grant program does not support projects that rely on reducing pollution by using recycling, treatment, disposal or energy recovery activities. Individuals, for-profit businesses, and non-profit organizations that engage in lobbying activities are not eligible for funding.
Current application deadline: May 26, 2009
EPA Pollution Prevention Resource Exchange (P2Rx) Coordinator RFP. EPA seeks proposals for the coordination of P2Rx, a national network of eight regional pollution prevention information centers. EPA expects to award one cooperative agreement under this announcement, for a total of $230,000 for FY 2010 and FY 2011. Individuals, for-profit businesses, and non-profit organizations that engage in lobbying activities are not eligible for funding.
Current application deadline: June 12, 2009
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS RELATED TO FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Recovery Act Funds to Support Wind Energy Development. Secretary Chu announced last week that DOE would provide $93 million in ARRA funds to support wind energy development. Funding will support wind turbine drive train R&D, technology development, and creation of a National Wind Technology Center. The funding is expected to foster relationships between DOE national laboratories, universities and the private sector with the goal of overcoming key technical challenges facing the wind industry.
To view the DOE press release, click here.
EPA and USDA Award Stimulus Funds for Water Projects. EPA has made several awards of ARRA funds to help state and local governments finance overdue improvements to water and wastewater projects. In the last week, these awards included $19.5 million to the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (announced April 27), $82 million to the State of Arizona (announced April 30), and $38.9 million to the State of Nevada (announced April 30). Several other states received similar grants earlier in April. On April 28, USDA announced that it has awarded more than $615.8 million in ARRA funds for water and environmental projects intended to provide safe drinking water and improved wastewater treatment systems for rural towns and communities. Also, on April 30, EPA announced that it has awarded $357,300 in ARRA funds to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment under the Water Quality Management Planning (WQMP) grant program, and will award a total of $39 million nationally under that program.
For the list of projects selected for funding by USDA, click here.
