Kristen Cheriegate | ICAST Policy Analyst
Funding Announced for States and Tribes to Modernize Power Grid
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced $562 million for fiscal year 2024 under the Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grant program. This program is designed to help modernize the electric grid to reduce the impacts of climate change while ensuring the reliability of the power sector. The grant formula is based on numerous factors, including population size, land area, probability and severity of disruptive events, and a locality’s historical expenditure on mitigation efforts. Allocation requests and applications for grant funds in this period will be accepted until April 17, 2024.
New Guidance on Clean Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
The Department of Treasury and IRS announced additional guidance on the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit (30C). The notice includes an intent to propose regulations to define “eligible census tract,” and lists of tracts determined to be eligible under the rules the agencies intend to propose. The Department of Energy has also published a mapping tool intended to reflect all eligible locations for the 30C credit (not that this tool does not constitute formal IRS guidance).
New and Updated Technical Assistance Resources for Home Energy Rebate Programs
The DOE has released resources to help state and territorial energy offices apply for and implement federal Home Energy Rebates. Resources include sample application responses and guidance, documents on best practices for integrating Weatherization Assistance Program funds with Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates, and more. The DOE will continue to make its biweekly update to the Rebates FAQs. IRA Home Energy Rebates state allocations can be found on the Office of State and Community Energy Programs website.
DHS Seeking Input on Advancing Environmental Justice
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a request for information (RFI) to seek public comment and feedback on how environmental justice is considered Department-wide, how it can provide opportunities for meaningful engagement in decision-making, and what to include in the next DHS Environmental Justice Strategy. Among other things, the comments will be used to help DHS improve and advance its environmental justice program and address environmental justice challenges faced by communities. Responses to the RFI are requested by February 16, 2024.
DOE Seeks Input on Solar Plus Storage Deployment
The DOE has issued an RFI seeking input on supporting successful solar plus storage deployment serving low-income and disadvantaged communities. Feedback is requested from states, territories, Tribal, local government agencies, utilities, nonprofits, and others. Responses “should be related to successfully deploying distributed solar and related technologies through industry, government, and utility-led programs designed to serve low-income and disadvantaged communities.” Responses to the RFI are due on February 23, 2024.