Funding Resources and Incentives for Energy-Related Programs
Dear Colleagues,
In Fiscal Year 2024, NCTCOG will send out a quarterly update with a list of funding resources and incentives related to energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy resilience and other related topics that may be of interest to our members. This email is the first of these quarterly updates. We hope that you find this curated list helpful as you are considering implementing new projects or programs at your entity and are looking for funding! When considering any funding source or incentive program, please confirm your eligibility first and start the application process early! A copy of these quarterly updates will be posted on the Energy Management, Efficiency, and Renewable Energy webpage for ease of reference. Did we miss an important resource or incentive that you are aware of? Share your feedback with our team for consideration in the next update!
The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) is seeking feedback from local governments, nonprofits, private companies, and other stakeholders
on what types of strategies they are currently implementing or would like to implement to improve air quality, protect public health, and address extreme weather events. Responses will help develop the Dallas-Fort Worth Air Quality Improvement Plan; a regional plan developed by NCTCOG with funding from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) Planning Grants. Strategies included in the regional plan are eligible to be included in a grant proposal for up to $500 million in competitive funding through CPRG Implementation Grants. Strategies to reduce energy consumption are eligible for funding as well! To ensure your
feedback is incorporated into the plan, please respond to this survey by Friday, December 1, 2023.
Texas Weatherization Assistance Program The Texas Weatherization Assistance Program provides funding to weatherize the homes of low-income elderly and disabled adults. Applicants must meet specific income-based eligibility requirements and are automatically eligible for assistance if they receive SNAP, TANF, Supplemental Security Income or payments for Means Tested Veterans Programs. Eligible activities include caulking, adding insulation, weatherstripping, and other activities that would reduce home energy costs and increase residential energy efficiency.
DOE Assistance for Building Energy Code Adoption These grants will support states and local jurisdictions in adopting, implementing, and enforcing the latest model, zero energy codes, or equivalent codes and standards, improving residential and commercial new construction and retrofits, and transitioning the building stock to more efficient, decarbonized buildings for all. Recipients must develop an implementation plan that provides approaches to achieve full compliance with the newly adopted code or standard, plans for capacity building to support ongoing implementation, and active workforce training and enforcement programs. Formula funding is also available for states and territories to improve traditional energy codes; letters of intent for formula funding are due November 21, 2023.
DOE Community Energy Innovation Prize The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has launched the “…Community Energy Innovation Prize, a competition that will award up to $7.5 million in cash prizes as well as mentorship opportunities to organizations supporting innovation, entrepreneurship, capacity building, and economic development in communities historically underrepresented in climate and energy
technology funding.” Eligible competitors will develop and carry out activities related to clean energy that promote business and technology incubation and acceleration as well as other community-based capacity building, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Clean Energy and Innovation Track applications are due February 2, 2024.
DOE Buildings Energy Efficiency Frontiers & Innovation Technologies (BENEFIT) This funding opportunity invests in four topic areas: heating, ventilation, and air conditioning and water heating technologies; innovative, replicable, and low-cost roof and attic retrofits technologies; novel approaches to
building resilience and addressing capacity constraints; and commercial lighting retrofit advancements. Up to $30 million is available for local governments, educational institutions, tribal governments, private sector, and individuals. Applications are due March 5, 2024.
Carbon Utilization Procurement Grants Program DOE recently announced funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support purchasing products derived from converted carbon emissions. This funding will help offset 50% of the costs states, local governments, and public utilities or agencies to procure and use products developed through the conversion of captured carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide emissions.
NCTCOG Staff Contact: Breanne Johnson Environment and Development Planner North Central Texas Council of Governments bjohnson@nctcog.org 817-695-9148