The Department of Energy (DOE) is awarding a combined total of $167.7 million in grant funding to 11 states, two territories, and 20 tribal nations. The eighth round of Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants, the funds are intended to help modernize the electric grid to reduce the impacts of climate-driven extreme weather and natural disasters while also ensuring the reliability of the power sector.
To date the Investing in America agenda has awarded a total of more than $748 million to participating states and tribal entities, providing clean electricity, decreasing energy costs and keeping the lights on for millions of Americans across the country.
As part of the application process, states, territories and tribes were asked to provide their overall goals for grant implementation. Some examples from this most recent cohort:
Illinois will focus on reliability and resiliency improvements in disadvantaged communities that are at risk from climate change impacts. They will also support equity by increasing access and opportunities for underserved residents and businesses, and support communities and small utilities in grid resiliency planning and investment. (Amount: $16 million)
Spokane Tribe of the Spokane Reservation will invest in reducing the frequency and duration of electrical outages on the reservation and in increasing reliability and resilience at key tribal facilities. Funds will also be used to enhance the skilled workforce by assuring that any installed resilience measures can be operated and maintained by the tribe’s members and businesses, where possible. Projects will also advance energy justice by targeting ventures located on the reservation, preferably on trust lands. (Amount: $1 million)
West Virginia will assess and improve energy efficiency and battery storage in critical buildings and develop community microgrids to increase overall grid reliability. Grant funds will also be used to identify electric customers, building owners, and electric utility providers that could benefit from grant funding. (Amount: $8 million)
A full list of recipients of the eighth cohort, as well as highlights on how they intend to deploy their funds is available here.
Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grant recipients are being administered by the DOE’s Grid Deployment Office and announced on a rolling basis as applications are received. Applications for the fiscal year FY 2022 and FY 2023 are now closed.
Photo by Pok Rie
