Federal Funding Opportunities

On August 29, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a funding opportunity of up to $300 million in grants to accelerate and strengthen electric transmission siting and permitting processes. The Transmission Siting and Economic Development (TSED) grant program is a new initiative designed to overcome state and local challenges to expanding transmission capacity while also supporting communities along major new and upgraded lines. 

DOER is interested in exploring or supporting an application for Area of Interest 2 – Economic Development, where eligible applicants must be a state, local, or Tribal governmental entity. DOE anticipates Area of Interest 2 awards will be between $100,000 and $50 million per award. Eligible projects must be related to an eligible “covered transmission project” and promote economic development in communities that may be impacted by the construction or operation of a “covered transmission project”.

A “covered transmission project” is defined as a “high voltage interstate or offshore electricity transmission line” for which an entity has applied for, or informed a siting authority of an intent to apply for, regulatory approval, and that is proposed to be constructed and to operate:

• At a minimum of 275 kilovolts of either alternating-current or direct-current electric energy by an entity; or
• Offshore and at a minimum of 200 kilovolts of either alternating-current or direct-current electric energy by an entity.

In Massachusetts, the relevant siting authority is the Energy Facility Siting Board (EFSB). The following eligible transmission projects are currently before the EFSB:

• New England Wind 1 Connector (Park City Wind LLC, EFSB 20-01/D.P.U. 20-56/20-57). Affected communities: Barnstable
• SouthCoast Wind 1 (SouthCoast Wind Energy LLC (Brayton Point) EFSB 22-04/D.P.U. 22-67/22-68).  Affected communities: Somerset
• New England Wind 2 Connector (Commonwealth Wind LLC, EFSB 22-06; D.P.U. 22-105/22-106). Affected communities:  Barnstable

DOER is seeking:

• (1) information from transmission developers of any additional transmission projects that may be eligible under this funding opportunity (e.g. projects likely to reach a final decision on any application relating to the siting or permitting of the applicable covered transmission project within two years of receiving a grant under this funding opportunity). DOER intends to share this information on this website and with communities to develop potential applications.
• (2) interest from affected communities and associated organizations to discuss local needs; and identify one or more economic development activities that may include (but are not limited to) sub-grant programs, local energy democratization and resilience projects, development of community facilities, etc. More examples of eligible economic development activities may be found in the funding opportunity announcement (FOA).

Concept Papers are due October 31. Interested collaborators are encouraged to reach out to Christina Moroney-Ebarb, the Federal Program Coordinator at DOER, via email (christina.moroney-ebarb@mass.gov) as soon as possible. Please include “TSED” in the subject line of your email.

On August 1, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced plans for a new funding initiative to support the creation or expansion of existing, state-based programs or initiatives that improve renewable energy planning, communication tools, and siting processes for local communities. The Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP) program seeks to expand the decision-making capacity and expertise of state and local governments around large-scale renewable energy planning, siting, and permitting.

As an eligible applicant, DOER is interested in identifying partnerships and cross-disciplinary collaborators to develop a Massachusetts-based program and application that will improve renewable energy siting in the Commonwealth while engaging local governments and host communities, especially disadvantaged communities. Activities that are eligible under this DOE opportunity include but are not limited to:

• Engaging with local governments and communities to identify renewable energy siting and planning priorities, 
• Hiring and subcontracting to expand technical capacity and leverage experts in the region or state, 
• Developing state-specific resources that could improve siting practices and outcomes for local communities and the renewable energy industry, and 
• Conducting trainings and workshops with local governments to improve technical understanding of renewable energy siting. 

DOE expects to open this competitive opportunity on September 12, 2023, and close on November 3, 2023. Given the timeline, interested collaborators are encouraged to reach out to Christina Moroney-Ebarb, the Federal Program Coordinator at DOER, via email (christina.moroney-ebarb@mass.gov) by September 15, 2023. Please include “R-STEP” in the subject line of your email.

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was signed by President Biden on August 16, 2022. This law included funding opportunities for states to implement two energy efficiency rebate programs:  

• Section 50121: Home Energy Performance-Based, Whole House Rebates (Referred to as Home Efficiency Rebates)

• Section 50122: High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Program (Referred to as Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates)

Together, these provisions are referred to as the Home Energy Rebates. The funding for these programs will be awarded through the State Energy Offices. DOER anticipates receiving $73,233,910 and $72,809,130 for Sections 50121 and 50122, respectively.  

On January 18, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a Request for Information on Inflation Reduction Act Home Efficiency & Electrification Rebate Programs (RFI). DOER received public input that helped inform its response to the DOE and will inform design of the state program. 

DOER’s response to the DOE RFI

Stakeholder Comments on IRA HOMES HEEHR RFI

IRA Home Energy Rebates Public Input Session

DOER plans to submit an application for both programs this spring. DOER aims to deploy HER and HEAR in a way that will enhance equitable outcomes while building on the Commonwealth’s existing efforts in building energy efficiency and electrification. In anticipation of its application, DOER held a public input session on March 18, 2024 to present a straw proposal for program design and solicit community input on its proposed deployment plans.

View the HER and HEAR Straw Proposal

Watch the Public Input Session

In addition to verbal comments received during the public input session, DOER accepted written comments. Those will be posted here soon.

Sign up for our mailing list to stay up to date on future information about the IRA Home Energy Rebates.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), was signed by President Biden on November 15, 2021. This law included billions of dollars in funding opportunities for energy infrastructure projects, some of which is to be awarded through states. The Grid Innovation Program (GIP), which is outlined in Section 40103(b) of the BIL, is intended to fund projects that improve grid reliability and resilience using advanced technologies and innovative partnerships and approaches. States are eligible to apply for GIP funding, with $1.82 billion in total funding available and project awards of $250 million, or up to $1 billion for interregional transmission projects.

On November 18, 2022, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for the GIP. As an eligible entity, DOER is interested in information that may support pursuing GIP funding and submitting Concept Papers to the U.S. DOE by the January 13, 2023 deadline. DOER is also exploring coordination with neighboring states to collaborate on this effort. DOER may submit more than one Concept Paper and Full Application to this FOA, provided that each application describes a unique, scientifically distinct project and provided that an eligible Concept Paper was submitted for each Full Application.

To assist DOER in exploring development of a Concept Paper and potential application for the GIP, DOER requests a Notice of Interest (NOI) and Draft Concept Paper from any project developers interested in proposing projects for DOER to consider including as part of a funding application to the GIP. Interested parties are requested to submit a Notice of Interest and Draft Concept Paper as outlined in the attached document to Marian Swain, Deputy Director of Policy and Planning at DOER, via email (marian.swain@mass.gov) by December 22, 2022 at 5 pm. Please include “GRIP NOI” in the subject line of your email.

Confidential Information provided in the Notice of Interest will be treated as confidential energy information, to the extent permitted by law. Pursuant to DOER’s authority under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 25A, Section 7, certain energy and other information collected by DOER can be maintained for the sole and confidential use of the Commonwealth, its agencies, and offices. DOER may also apply any applicable exemption under the Commonwealth’s public records law. Energy information collected under this section may be confidentially shared with the energy offices of other states which afford such information similar protection from public disclosure. In the event confidential information is submitted to DOER and confidential treatment is not afforded for any reason, by a governmental agency or otherwise, DOER shall not be held responsible. Should any party seek further information regarding the treatment of this information under Massachusetts’ public records law, please email Marian Swain of DOER, as provided above.

This request for Notices of Interest and Draft Concept Paper does not obligate DOER or any other state entities to pursue a Concept Paper or application.  

Notice of Interest to DOER and Questions for Draft Concept Papers

Please click on the link to download the Notice of Interest to DOER and Questions for Draft Concept Papers.

Other States’ NOI Requests

Other New England States have also released Requests for Notices of Interest and Draft Concept Papers for the GIP program (see links below). Massachusetts is coordinating on this effort with these neighboring states and encourages developers with projects of regional benefit to submit NOIs and Draft Concept Papers to these states as well as to MA DOER.

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (responses due 12/23/22 by 5:00 pm)

Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (responses due 12/28/22 by 5:00 pm)

Maine Governor’s Energy Office and the Maine Public Utilities Commission (responses due 12/30/22 by 5:00 pm)

Programs though DOE Offices of Grid Deployment (GDO) and Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) 

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), includes new DOE programs and funding opportunities, several of which will be administered by the DOE’s Grid Deployment Office (GDO) and the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations. For a list of BIL Provisions administered by the GDO, please click here. 

For funding opportunities where DOER is not an applicant or a partner to an applicant, DOER welcomes applicants to submit a Request for a Letter of Support about how the proposed project (Proposed Project) meets DOER and Commonwealth of Massachusetts energy goals. A template for the Request for Letter of Support is linked below; please use the template for all requests. DOER will review Requests for a Letter of Support and provide a Letter of Support, at its discretion, for applications that are found to meet key Commonwealth energy goals, as determined by DOER. If a specific support letter format is required by a DOE funding opportunity, please provide any applicable requirements to DOER. DOER will not review full applications and will not evaluate project design, nor will it compare application summaries that are applying to the same BIL funding opportunity.  Interested parties are requested to Request a Letter of Support as outlined in the attached document to Aurora Edington, Electric Grid Policy Manager at DOER, via email (aurora.edington@mass.gov). Please include “Request for Letter of Support” in the subject line of your email and allow time for DOER review.  

Please note that Letters of Support will not commit DOER or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in any manner to the Proposed Project, nor will the issuance of such Letters of Support include commitments of state funding or project management or represent a commitment or obligation to support, financially or otherwise, any Proposed Project.  

Any Letter of Support issued by DOER shall be considered a public record and shall be public. The information Applicants submit to DOER in their Request for Support Letter shall be considered public, unless specifically identified as confidential energy information. However, DOER will only keep any such specifically identified confidential energy information confidential to the extent permitted by law and shall not be liable for any disclosure of the same. As such confidential information could not be included in DOER’s Letter of Support, Applicants should limit including or relying on this information as much as possible in their Requests.

Request for a Letter of Support

Please click on the link to download the Request for Letter of Support from DOER.