February 10, 2023
Infrastructure Update
Stay informed on national infrastructure programs, funding, and developments with our weekly article.
Press Releases
DOE Launches Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation
February 9, 2023 | Source: DOE
On Thursday, the DOE released a Request for Information (RFI) seeking public and stakeholder input on the Department’s first ever agency-related Foundation. Authorized by President Biden’s bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, the Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation (FESI) will support DOE to carry out its critical mission to ensure America's continued security and prosperity through transformative science and technology solutions. A key aim of FESI is to accelerate the commercialization of new and existing energy technologies by raising and investing funds through engagements with the private sector and philanthropic communities. The Foundation will help DOE provide additional resources, tools, and capacities for potential partners and communities across the country—supporting solutions-driven research and innovation that strengthens America’s energy and national security while helping achieve the Biden-Harris Administration's ambitious clean energy goals.
DOE Announces $30 Million for Materials and Manufacturing to Lower Costs of Large Wind Turbines
February 10, 2023 | Source: DOE
Today, the DOE announced a $30 million funding opportunity to advance the cost-effective domestic manufacturing of materials, including lightweight composites, that allow wind turbines to produce power more efficiently. Applicants for this funding opportunity are required to submit projects that focus on one of the following topic areas: 1) Large Wind Blade Additive Manufacturing that builds on existing polymer-based additive manufacturing research that supports and advances more cost-effective large wind turbine blades, 2) Additive Manufacturing of Non-Blade Wind Turbine Components that can be improved through additive manufacturing and associated design and process integration, and 3) Large Wind Blades: Advancing Manufacturing, Materials, and Sustainability to address the remaining challenges to wind turbine manufacturing and build on previous work within the areas of automation, digitalization, wind blade sustainability, and modular blade construction and joining.
Biden-Harris Administration Announces $74 Million to Advance Enhanced Geothermal Systems
February 8, 2023 | Source: DOE
On Wednesday, The DOE announced a funding opportunity of up to $74 million for up to seven pilot projects that will test the efficacy and scalability of enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). The pilot projects will use innovative technology and a variety of development techniques to capture the Earth’s abundant heat resources in diverse geologic settings.
USDOT Announces More Than $660 Million Available Through the Port Infrastructure Development Program
February 8, 2023 | Source: DOT
On Wednesday, the DOT’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) has announced the availability of more than $662 million for MARAD’s 2023 Port Infrastructure Development Program. MARAD’s Port Infrastructure Development Program discretionary grants help eligible applicants including port authorities, states, local governments, indigenous Tribal nations, counties, and other eligible entities complete critical port and port-related infrastructure projects. Grants are awarded competitively to support projects that improve the safety, efficiency, or reliability of the movement of goods through ports and intermodal connections to ports. MARAD will also consider how projects address climate change and sustainability, equity, and workforce development objectives.
EPA Seeks Input on Inflation Reduction Act Environmental and Climate Justice Program
February 9, 2023 | Source: EPA
On Thursday, EPA issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking input on its Environmental and Climate Justice (ECJ) program funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. This program provides EPA with approximately $3 billion for ECJ program grants and technical assistance for environmental and climate justice efforts that benefit overburdened communities. This RFI seeks public input on new and innovative strategies and approaches for competition design, community engagement, equitable distribution of financial resources, grantee eligibility for funding, capacity-building and outreach, and technical assistance. EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights is seeking public input on multiple aspects of the ECJ Program including, but not limited to: ECJ program design, types of projects to fund, reducing application barriers, reporting and oversight, and technical assistance. Responses are due March 17, 2023.
Wide Range of Constituencies Union Leaders, Business Leaders, and Advocates Applaud President Biden’s State of the Union Address
February 10, 2023 | Source: White House
President Biden’s State of the Union Address was held on Tuesday night, in which he highlighted the achievements his administration has accomplished, particularly in infrastructure, domestic manufacturing and workforce development. Today, the White House published quotes praising President Biden in response to the Address, coming from activists, community leaders, business, and union leaders across industries.
Featured Awards:
EPA Announces Additional $1B in BIL Funds to Start New Cleanup Projects and Expedite On-going Cleanup Work
February 10, 2023 | The EPA announced the second wave of approximately $1 billion in BIL funding to start new cleanup projects at 22 Superfund sites and expedite over 100 other ongoing cleanups across the country. Superfund cleanups help transform contaminated properties and create jobs in overburdened communities, while repurposing these sites for a wide range of uses, including public parks, retail businesses, office space, residences, warehouses, and solar power generation.
Federal Funding Opportunities:
Details on infrastructure-related grants currently accepting applications:
| Opportunity Number | Opportunity Title | Agency | Deadline | Funding |
| EPA-I-OLEM-OBLR-22-11 | Technical Assistance to Brownfield Communities | EPA | 02/14/2023 | $53,000,000 |
| DE-FOA-0002867 | BIL: Long Duration Energy Storage Demonstrations FOA | DOE-GFO | 03/03/2023 | $349,000,000 |
| DE-FOA-0002981 | Inflation Reduction Act (IRA): Home Efficiency & Electrification Rebate Programs | DOE-GFO | 03/3/2023 | RFI |
| DE-FOA-0002828 | BIL: DE-FOA-0002828: To Address Key Deployment Challenges for Offshore, Land-Based, and Distributed Wind | DOE-GFO | 03/10/2023 | $27,900,000 |
| FTA-2023-006-TPE | Areas of Persistent Poverty Program | DOT-FTA | 03/10/2023 | $20,041,870 |
| DE-FOA-0002890 | Research on General Plasma Science Collaborative Research Facilities | PAMS-SC | 03/27/2023 | $3,000,000 |
| DE-FOA-0002779 | Additional Clean Hydrogen Programs (Section 40314): Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) | DOE-GFO | 04/7/2023 | $1,250,000,000 |
| DE-FOA-0002756 | 2022 FOA for Energy Improvements at Public K-12 School Facilities - BIL - Renew America's Schools | DOE-GFO | 04/21/2023 | $80,000,000 |
| DE-FOA-0002920 | Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office Funding Opportunity Announcement in Support of Hydrogen Shot | DOE-GFO | 04/28/2023 | $47,000,000 |
Committee Hearings on Infrastructure:
Upcoming Hearings:
House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources
4:00 PM (EST) | 2/13/23
Hearing: Federal Energy Production Supports Local Communities
Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
10:00 AM (EST) | 2/15/23
Hearing: to examine the future of low carbon transportation fuels and considerations for a national clean fuels program.
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
10:00 AM (EST) | 2/15/23
Hearing: to examine the Federal Aviation Administration's NOTAM system failure and its impacts on a resilient national airspace.
Senate Committee on the Budget
10:00 AM (EST) | 2/15/23
Hearing: to examine climate-related economic risks and their costs to the Federal budget and the global economy.
Past Hearings:
House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
10:00 AM (EST) | 2/7/23
Hearing: FAA Reauthorization: Enhancing America’s Gold Standard in Aviation Safety
House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
10:00 AM (EST) | 2/8/23
Hearing: Stakeholder Perspectives on the Impacts of the Biden Administration's Waters of the United States (WOTUS) Rule (Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment)
House Committee on Natural Resources
10:00 AM (EST) | 2/8/23
Hearing: Unleashing America’s Energy and Mineral Potential
Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
10:00 AM (EST) | 2/2/23
Hearings to examine the Department of the Energy's implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
