Federal Clean Energy and Climate Funding
In 2021, Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also called the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The legislation is a significant investment that is directing billions of dollars in funding administered by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to accelerate the clean energy transition. The funding aims to improve energy resilience and mitigate climate risk, invest in modernized grid infrastructure and clean energy solutions, and create good-paying jobs.
In 2022, Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), legislation that directs nearly $370 billion to climate change related programs aimed at accelerating the deployment of clean energy technologies, reducing emissions, lowering energy prices, and building the resiliency of our energy system. This law, through both the creation of new programs and the extension of existing programs, will provide substantial opportunities to expand clean energy manufacturing, distributed generation, building modernization, and energy efficiency in Maine and across the country.
Federal Funding Opportunities
The section below features federal grants supported by BIL and IRA that GEO has applied for, received, and/or supported.
- Grid Resilience Grant Program
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The federally funded Maine Grid Resilience Grant Program seeks to increase the resilience of the electric grid and Maine communities while increasing clean energy workforce opportunities and aligning with ongoing electric grid modernization and state climate goals. In 2024, Governor Mills announced $6.6 million in grant awards to six Maine utilities and technology providers to deploy electrical grid resilience projects in Maine communities. Learn more about the program here.
- Home Energy Rebates
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In 2024, Governor Janet Mills announced the launch of Maine's Home Energy Rebate Program. The program is funded by a $36 million federal grant supported by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and will help eligible households save money on energy bills, upgrade to clean energy equipment, improve energy efficiency in their homes, and reduce air pollution. Learn more about the program here.
- Solar for All
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In 2024, the U.S. EPA selected Maine’s application for a $62 million grant award to provide financial and technical assistance enabling low-income and disadvantaged households across the state to access solar and energy storage. This award will also support workforce development opportunities ensuring quality clean energy jobs for disadvantaged communities. Learn more about Maine's award here.
- Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG)
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The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program is designed to assist states, local governments, and Tribes in implementing strategies to reduce energy use, to reduce fossil fuel emissions, and to improve energy efficiency. The $550,000,000 program, funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, has both competitive and formula grants. The Governor's Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, with support from GEO, applied and was approved for funding in summer 2023.
- Preparing Workers and Businesses to Deliver Energy Efficiency and Building Electrification Measures
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GEO submitted a response to an RFI in January 2023, linked here (PDF). See individual program descriptions below.
State-Based Home Energy Efficiency Contractor Training Grants
This program provides $200 million in grants for States to develop and implement a State program which shall provide training and education to contractors involved in the installation of home energy efficiency and electrification improvements, including improvements eligible for rebates under a HOMES or HEEHRA rebate program, as defined in Section 50121(d) and 50122(d) of the Inflation Reduction Act, respectively.
Energy Auditor Training
The Energy Auditor Training Grant Program is designed to provide a total of $40 million in grants, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to eligible States to train individuals to conduct energy audits or surveys of commercial and residential buildings to build the clean energy workforce, save customers money on their energy bills, and reduce pollution from building energy use.
- Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA)
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The $1 billion Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas program, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, seeks to improve the resilience, reliability, and affordability of energy systems in communities across the country with 10,000 or fewer people. Link to federal info page here. GEO submitted a response to an RFI for the program in December 2022, linked here. GEO supported and led several applications submitted in August 2023, in coordination with partners.