IIJA Implementation Resources

On April 30, 2024, the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) finalized a rule modernizing the federal environmental review process under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This rule implements permitting reform made in the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. Among other actions, the rule sets deadlines for agencies to complete environmental reviews, requires a lead agency and sets guidelines for lead and cooperating agencies, works to unify the federal review process, promotes early public engagement, and creates new ways for agencies to establish categorical exclusions. This final rule will apply to projects beginning environmental review on or after July 1, 2024, and will not disrupt ongoing environmental view processes. Learn more in the press release here and you can find the final rule here.  

On April 2, 2024, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) updated the Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance, which sets the foundational requirements for agencies in making grants and providing other forms of Federal financial assistance, such as cooperative agreements and loans. These updates to what is known as the Uniform Grants Guidance will streamline and clarify requirements for Federal funding. OMB is also publishing an implementation memorandum that will direct agencies to put the revisions into effect by October 1, and provide additional tools to strengthen and streamline the administration of Federal financial assistance. For more, please see the Press Release, Finalized Guidance, Implementation Memo.  

On September 13, 2023 the White House released technical assistance guides for states and territories navigating opportunities under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The guide outlines 100+ technical assistance programs from across the federal government, as well as outlines technical assistance and matching fund programs developed by States and Territories. See here for the Federal Technical Assistance Guide, State Directed Technical Assistance Guide and Technical Assistance Website. 

On July 28, 2023 the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) released a proposed rule that is designed to fully implement changes to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) directed by Congress under the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. The proposed rule aims to accelerate NEPA review processes, provide agencies with new tools for conducting environmental reviews, strengthen energy security, accelerate renewable energy projects, encourage early community engagement, and ensure that reviews are thorough, well-documented, and lead to decisions that are timely and have strong legal standing. Other provisions within the proposed rule are designed to clarify the roles of lead and cooperating agencies, set deadlines and page limits for NEPA reviews, help agencies establish new categorical exclusions, encourage additional programmatic environmental assessments, and support mitigated project assessments. The proposed rule will formally be published in the Federal Registrar on Monday, and interested parties will have until Friday, September 29 to submit comments via Regulations.gov. CEQ will also hold a number of public meetings to gather feedback on the proposed rule starting at the end of August. More information on these meetings will be released on NEPA.gov when available. Please see the Press Release and Proposed Rule.  

On June 6, 2023, the White House launched Invest.gov, a new website showing the public and private sector investment President Biden’s “Investing in America” agenda is bringing to states and territories. It provides an interactive map of infrastructure projects across the U.S. which are funded by the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, as well as private sector investments supported by the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, Inflation Reduction Act and American Rescue Plan Act. This also provides summaries of the impact in each state and territory. The website will be updated regularly to reflect recent investments, projects and announcements. 

On May 10, 2023, the Biden Administration announced a set of priorities for Congress to consider as it looks to pass a bipartisan permitting reform package. The Administration laid out the following priorities: accelerating the deployment of critical electric transmission; accelerating energy project permitting on federal lands; modernizing the country’s 150-year-old mining laws; deploying hydrogen and carbon dioxide infrastructure; incentivizing redevelopment for clean energy deployment; improving permitting efficiency and predictability; enhancing data collection needed for effective permitting; cutting duplicative and burdensome analysis and reviews; improving community engagement; addressing gaps in the permitting workforce; establishing clearer requirements for mitigating environmental harms; and incentivizing state and local permitting reform and standardization. For more information, see the press release. 

In April 2023, President Biden signed an executive order intended to promote environmental justice initiatives in the work of federal agencies. The new Executive Order, called Revitalizing Our Nation’s Commitment to Environmental Justice for All, according to the administration, is intended to promote environmental justice; protect communities from pollution and environmental harms; strengthen engagement with communities and mobilize federal agencies to confront existing barriers; promote science, data, and research, including on cumulative impacts; and expand interagency coordination and launch a new Office of Environmental Justice within the White House Council on Environmental Quality. For more information, see the press release

The White House recently released a number of new IIJA resources. These resources include updated state-by-state fact sheets with information about announced funding and projects in each state, along with anticipated funding by category over the next five years, updated IIJA maps of funding and projects, including state-level summaries, that have been announced to date, and a new notice of funding opportunity calendar that includes both current and future funding opportunities. 

The Biden-Harris Administration released on March 2, 2023, the National Cybersecurity Strategy to secure the full benefits of a safe and secure digital ecosystem for all Americans. The strategy recognizes that government must use all tools of national power in a coordinated manner to protect national security, public safety, and economic prosperity, and seeks to build and enhance collaboration around five pillars. For more information, see the factsheet. 

After previewing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act guidebooks to Governors at the NGA 2022 Winter Meeting, the White House released the online version to provide information outlining resources in the infrastructure package. This guidebook is a roadmap to the funding available under the law, as well as an explanatory document that shows direct federal spending at the program level. The White House has also created several supplemental resources, including:  

• An IIJA Rural Playbook, which identifies programs set aside for rural communities under the law, and overviews key flexibilities and other benefits available 
• A Workforce Development for Infrastructure Jobs Guidebook, which provides an overview of federal funding resources to support workforce development 
• An IIJA Tribal Playbook to identify programs and sources of funds for Tribal communities and provide a guide to Tribal eligibility for other programs in the IIJA 
• An Action Plan for Accelerating Infrastructure to focus attention on, and fast-track, innovation in the delivery of infrastructure projects 
• A list of Open Funding Opportunities is published every few weeks

To mark the occasion of the 1 year anniversary of the IIJA, the White House has released state-by-state fact sheets which provide detailed information about announced funding and projects in each state, along with anticipated funding by category over the next 5 years. This information can be found here.  

The White House hosted a series of webinars for implementation stakeholders to provide an in-depth look intro the programs contained within chapter of the IIJA Guidebook. Summaries of select webinars can be found here. Full videos of the infrastructure school webinars can be found here.

On November 18, Federal Transit Administration issued a five-year extension of the partial general non-availability waiver from the Buy America requirements for certain commercially produced minivans and vans used in public transportation. The previous waiver was issued in October 2022 for two years. FTA’s Buy America statute requires that rolling stock, including vans and minivans, must have more than 70-percent domestic content and that final assembly must occur in the United States. FTA concluded there are currently no mass-produced, unmodified non-ADA accessible passenger vans or minivans that meet FTA’s domestic content requirement. For more information, please see the FTA Buy America page here and federal register notice here.  

In August 2024, the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation announced that it had developed a proposed Build America Buy America (BABA) non-availability waiver for AMI water meters. The waiver as proposed would provide coverage for purchases of AMI water meters for three years, using a phased approach. The proposed waiver will be posted until September 29, 2024 and comments can be sent to DOI_Grants_BuyAmerica_Waiver@ios.doi.gov. You can find a copy of the waiver here.  

In August 2024, USDOT’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) issued a notice and request for comment on an extension of its existing partial general nonavailability waiver for mass-produced, unmodified, non-ADA accessible vans and minivans that are used in federally funded vanpool programs. FTA is soliciting comments from the public, including public and private stakeholders, regarding whether it should extend, modify, or allow the partial van and minivan waiver to lapse at the end of the initial two-year waiver period after October 24, 2024. Comments must be received by September 23, 2024. You can find a copy of the Notice here.  

On March 7, 2024, U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to discontinue its general waiver of Buy America requirements for manufactured products. The current waiver has been in operation since 1983 and provides a waiver for manufactured products used in federal-aid highways from Buy America requirements. The FHWA is also proposing standards for applying Buy America to manufactured products should the waiver be discontinued. At the same time, the Federal Highway Administration published a Request for Information on the use of Manufactured Products in highway projects to understand the domestic availability of specific manufactured products to ensure the continued effective implementation of FHWA programs. Comments on both the NPRM and Request for Information are due 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. For more information, please see the press release here the Manufacturing Products NPRM here and the Request for Information on the use of Manufactured Products here. 

In February 2024, the Department of Commerce released a Notice of Final Waiver for its Limited General Applicability Nonavailability Waiver of the Buy America Domestic Content Procurement Preference as Applied to Recipients of Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program. The waiver is available here and Frequently Asked Questions available here.  

In August 2023, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued final guidance on the implementation of the Build America, Buy America Act. These provisions, which were included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), require that all of the iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in infrastructure projects under this law are produced in the United States unless a waiver is approved by the head of a Federal agency. In this updated guidance, the revisions are limited in scope to support implementation and clarify existing provisions related to domestic preference. These revisions are intended to provide further guidance on implementing the statutory requirements and improve Federal financial assistance management and transparency. The document is still considered pre-publication, but it will become effective 60 days after it is published in the Federal Register. Please see the final guidance and program website. 

On August 22, 2023, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) published its draft limited, general applicability, nonavailability waiver of the Buy America Domestic Content Procurement Preference (Buy America Preference) to recipients of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. This draft waiver seeks to provide flexibility in the limited circumstances where a nonavailability waiver will be needed for certain pieces of broadband equipment not readily available from U.S. manufacturers. According to NTIA’s estimates, the policies recommended in the draft waiver will ensure that close to 90% of BEAD funding spent on equipment will be spent on equipment manufactured in the United States. Comments on the proposed waiver are due on September 21. For more information, please see the press release and request for comment.

In August 2023, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) issued a public interest Waiver of Buy America Requirements for De Minimis Costs and Small Grants. The waiver is intended to ensure USDOT and its grant recipients make efficient use of resources by focusing domestic sourcing efforts on products that provide greater manufacturing for American workers and firms, while reducing delays in the delivery of important transportation infrastructure. The waiver applies to financial awards obligated after August 16, 2023, for which the total value of non-compliant products is not more than $1 million or 5% of total applicable project costs, or the total amount of the Federal financial assistance is below $500,000. The waiver is applicable to the Federal Transit Administration’s Buy America requirement for steel, iron, and manufactured products, and to the Build America, Buy America Act’s construction materials requirement. For more information, please see the waiver here, and the DOT and FTA Buy America websites.  

On February 15, 2023 the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) outlined its final plan for compliance with the Build America, Buy America Act for federally funded electric vehicle chargers. Effective immediately, all EV chargers funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law must be built in the United States. The plan requires that final assembly and all manufacturing processes for any iron or steel charger enclosures or housing occur in the United States (see White House Fact Sheet here). The FHWA also released on February 21 a temporary waiver of Buy America Requirements for Electric Vehicle Chargers for steel, iron, manufactured products, and construction materials used in EV chargers. Comments are due by February 27, 2023 (see waiver here)

• On December 2, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) released a notice and request for comments on their intention to request the Office of Management and Budget approval for new information collection for recipients of certain discretionary grants or cooperative agreements through the IIJA and IRA. The proposed form will be used by recipients of FHWA grant awards and cooperative agreements to report performance and progress of a Federal financial assistance-funded construction or non-construction projects. Public comments are invited on any aspect of the information collection process. Comments are due by January 31, 2025. You can find the notice here.

• Also on December 2, FHWA released a notice and request for comments on their intention to request the Office of Management and Budget approval for new information collection for recipients of grants through the Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Program. Public comments are due on information collection requirements of various aspects of the PROTECT program. Comments are due by February 3, 2025.  For more information, you can find the federal notice here.

On October 11, 2024, FHWA issued a Notice and Request for Comments on Agency Information Collection Activities Under the Transportation Access Pilot Program. This program, which was established under the IIJA, seeks to improve transportation planning by measuring the level of access by surface transportation modes to important destinations, disaggregating the level of access by surface transportation mode by a variety of categories ( e.g., population or freight commodities), and assessing the change in accessibility that would result from transportation investments. Beginning in 2025, FHWA plans to use an application form and follow-up phone conversations to gather information from interested participants. Information collected in the application form will be used to evaluate applications to participate in the Transportation Access Pilot Program. The application will request information necessary to evaluate applications and select pilot program participants. FHWA seeks comments on any aspect of this information collection. Comments are due November 12, 2024 and you can find the Notice here.

In early October 2024, USDOT’s Federal Highway Administration published Apportionment Tables for FY2025.  The tables allocate $62 billion in funding for 12 formula programs across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The funding is distributed annually by FHWA based on Congressionally mandated formulas. You can see the press release here and the apportionment tables here.

On September 27, 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT’s) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) published updated guidance for programs. Revised circulars include FTA’s Award Management Requirements, Rural Areas Formula Grants Program Assistance Guidance, Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program Guidance and Urbanized Areas Formula Grant Programs Guidance. FTA also issued a “Dear Colleague” letter that calls out specific changes resulting from updates to the Uniform Administrative Requirements and detailing upcoming outreach and training opportunities. You can find the revised documents here.

On August 27, 2024, USDOT announced that its new Reconnecting Communities Institute is seeking expressions of interest for support. The Reconnecting Communities Institute is a new center for learning to help reconnect communities that were harmed, isolated, and cut off from opportunity by transportation infrastructure. RCI support is available to grantees and prospective grantees of the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program to strengthen local capacity in planning and implementing innovative community reconnection projects. Support is open to states, territories, local government and tribes that have received an RCP program or have identified a need in the community to address the negative impact of transportation infrastructure. To request support, you can use the link here.

On August 22, 2024, USDOT published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Adoption of Accessibility Standards for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right of Way, proposing to amend its rules implementing the transportation provisions under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This notice proposes the adoption as regulatory accessibility standards the Accessibility Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way (PROWAG). USDOT is accepting comments until September 23, 2024, via the federal register. For more information, you can find the Federal Register posting here. 

On May 31, 2024, USDOT’s Federal Transit Administration issued a notice providing program updates for Fiscal Year 2024, announcing the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, providing full-year apportionments and allocations for grant programs, providing contract authority, and describing plans for several competitive programs. The notice also contains information on how FTA plans to administer its transit programs in FY 2024 and how funds appropriated and allocated prior to FY 2024 will be treated. You can find a copy of the notice here.  

On May 24, 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation amended the regulations for the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing Program and Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) Program following a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. Changes include adding provisions for interest rate setting for long-term obligations and removing outdated planning and programming requirements. You can find the final rule here.  

On May 23, 2024, the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation issued its Q2 NEVI Quarterly Update report. The report highlights progress with the growth of the national charging network, lists recent public conditional NEVI awards and highlights states that have opened NEVI-funded charging stations. For more information, please see the report here.  

On April 9, 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced a final rule updating FTA’s Public Transportation Agency Safety Plans (PTASP) regulation, along with a newly revised National Public Transportation Safety Plan. For more information, please see the press release here.  

On April 4, 2024, the FTA released program apportionment tables for formula programs for the full fiscal year 2024. In total, $20.5 billion in funding has been made available in FY2024 to support public transportation investments. The apportionment tables specify funding to states, urbanized areas and tribal governments based on statutory formulas and funding levels set by Congress. you can find more in the press release here and the apportionment tables here.

On March 20, 2024, USDOT announced that its Freight Logistics Optimizations Works (FLOW) Initiative platform has begun to publish data on inland freight hubs, including rail terminal and warehouse end destination data, that will enable FLOW members to have an enhanced view of future container import volumes and traffic. FLOW is a private-public partnership created and led by USDOT that creates a more complete, shared picture of the U.S. supply chain for members, which include the nation’s busiest container ports, major ocean carriers, and some of the largest retail importers. Learn more in the Press Release here.  

On March 11, 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT’s) Build America Bureau released a Notice of Funding Opportunity for a new program authorized by the IIJA. The Innovative Finance and Asset Concession Program makes $100 million available over five years to assist public entities in facilitating and evaluating public-private partnerships and exploring innovative financing and delivery opportunities for Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) eligible projects. This NOFO allocates funds for fiscal years 2022, 2023, and 2024, totaling $57.72 million. Grants up to $2 million are available, with the first million requiring no local match. The program has two types of grants, (1) technical assistance grants to build capacity to develop, review, or enter into asset concessions and (2) expert services grants to procure advisors for project-level assistance. Applications are due May 10, 2024. Learn more in the press release here and the Notice of Funding Opportunity here. 

On March 7, 2024, U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to discontinue its general waiver of Buy America requirements for manufactured products. The current waiver has been in operation since 1983 and provides a waiver for manufactured products used in federal-aid highways from Buy America requirements. The FHWA is also proposing standards for applying Buy America to manufactured products should the waiver be discontinued. At the same time, the Federal Highway Administration published a Request for Information on the use of Manufactured Products in highway projects to understand the domestic availability of specific manufactured products to ensure the continued effective implementation of FHWA programs. Comments on both the NPRM and Request for Information are due 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. For more information, please see the press release here the Manufacturing Products NPRM here and the Request for Information on the use of Manufactured Products here. 

On March 5, 2024, FHWA announced its proposal to adopt the Cyber Security Evaluation Tool (CSET) as a voluntary tool transportation authorities can use to assist in identifying, detecting, protecting against, responding to, and recovering from cyber incidents. The FHWA requests comments on its proposal. Comments must be received on or before April 19, 2024. Learn more in the Request for Comments here. 

On February 29, 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced that $9.9 billion in federal formula funding is available to support public transportation. This partial-year Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 funding reflects formula funding available for five months (October 2, 2023 to March 1, 2024) at FY 2023 levels while the federal government operates under a Continuing Resolution. Full-year formula funding will be available once Congress passes an FY 2024 appropriations bill. For more details, please see the Press Release and Allocations. 

On February 21, 2024, the Administration issued an Executive Order to bolster the security of the nation’s ports, alongside a series of additional actions that will strengthen maritime cybersecurity, fortify our supply chains and strengthen the United States industrial base. The Executive Order bolsters the Department of Homeland Security’s authority to directly address maritime cyber threats, including through cybersecurity standards. Additionally, U.S. Coast Guard will issue a Maritime Security Directive on cyber risk management actions for ship-to-shore cranes manufactured by the People’s Republic of China located at U.S. Commercial Strategic Seaports. For more information, please see the Fact Sheet here.

In January 2024, USDOT proposes to implement provisions of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (the “IIJA”) that expand or modify the authorities applicable to the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (“RRIF”) and Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (“TIFIA”) programs, and make other necessary updates, by amending the RRIF program and TIFIA program regulations. DOT solicits written comments on this rulemaking by February 26, 2024. Learn more in the Federal Register here. 

On January 24, 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced more than $4.9 billion in funding to 37 projects through the National Infrastructure Project Assistance (Mega) and the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant programs for FY2023 and FY2024. Mega and INFRA are designed to support large-scale infrastructure projects that are difficult to fund under other opportunities. Along with the Rural program (awards announced in December 2023), Mega and INFRA are combined under USDOT’s Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant (MPDG) application. The next application period is expected to open in mid-2024. Resources: Press Release; Mega Awards; INFRA Awards; Program Website  

In December, 2023, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced that it will soon publish a Request for Information (RFI) to solicit feedback from stakeholders on updating FHWA’s minimum standards and requirements for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to allow for new technology and continued innovation. Current federal requirements allow for alternative types of connectors on all federally funded DC fast chargers but require that there is also a Combined Charging System (CCS) connector. With the implementation of J3400^TM, a new standard for charging EVs published by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), any supplier or manufacturer will now be able to use and deploy the Tesla-developed North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector, which a majority of automakers have announced they will adopt on vehicles beginning in 2025 with adaptors available for current owners as soon as next spring. The pending RFI will help inform how FHWA can ensure new technology and innovation, like J3400^TM, are incorporated into its minimum standards and requirements for federally funded EV charging stations. Please see the Press Release for more details.  

FHWA, in partnership with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), has launched a new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan and Inventory interactive website and accompanying background and tutorial to help State Departments of Transportation (DOTs), including planners and policymakers, understand and prioritize the elimination of inaccessible infrastructure when making transportation investments. FHWA’s new interactive website and accompanying background and tutorial improve the public’s access to and use of data that State DOTs publish on their progress and plans to improve accessibility in public-rights-of-way and transportation facilities. Users can easily find the ADA Transition Plan for each State DOT, when it was last updated, and the associated inventory of barriers, if available.  Learn more in the press release here. 

On November 22, 2023, FHWA finalized a performance measure that will provide State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) and Metropolitan Planning Organizations with a national framework to track transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions and require them to set their own targets for reduction. The performance measure is intended to be flexible and does not impose penalties for those who miss their targets. See the press release here.

On October 19, 2023, the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation announced the 2023 Round 7 Alternative Fuel Corridor designations. This included EV charging designations in 11 states, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands and Puerto Rico as well as hydrogen designations in 13 states. For more information, please see the press release here.   

On October 5, 2023, FWHA released roughly $64 billion in Fiscal Year 2024 state apportionments for the formula programs under its purview pursuant to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This funding covers a variety of programs including the National Highway Performance Program, Surface Transportation Block Program, Highway Safety Improvement Program, Railway-Highway Crossings Program, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Programs, National Highway Freight Program, Metropolitan Planning Program, Carbon Reduction Program, PROTECT formula program, Federal-aid Highway Program, National Electric Vehicle Program, Appalachian Development Highway System Program, and the Bridge Formula Program. For more information, please see the Press Release, Program Website, Federal Highway Apportionments and General Highway Infrastructure Apportionments.  

In September, 2023, USDOT adopted its first categorical exclusion from DOE, waiving environmental reviews for federally funded electric vehicle charging stations on already-developed land. This adoption was allowed under changes recently made to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) by the Fiscal Responsibility Act. See the Notice of Adoption here. 

On August 16, 2023, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced in Alaska the designation of two new Marine Highway Routes, as part of the United States Marine Highway Program (MHP). The newly designated M-11 and the M-79 routes will help speed up the movement of goods, strengthen supply chains, and support local economies in Alaska, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. These designations allow any eligible applicant on these routes to apply for future U.S. Marine Highway Program grants. 

On August 10, 2023, the U.S. Department of Treasury released a new Interim Final Rule illustrating how recipient governments can use their State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) for natural disasters, community development, and surface transportation projects. The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), a part of the American Rescue Plan Act, delivered $350 billion to state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments across the country to support their response to and recovery from the COVID-19 public health emergency. Treasury released an interim final rule that addresses the new eligible uses added to the SLFRF program by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023. Existing eligible uses discussed in the 2022 final rule remain unchanged, and recipients may continue to use SLFRF funds in alignment with the 2022 final rule. For all eligible uses, recipients must obligate funds by December 31, 2024. Recipients must expend funds by September 30, 2026, for Surface Transportation projects and Title I (Community Development Block Grant) projects, and by December 31, 2026, for all other eligible uses. Comments on the Interim Final Rule are due 60 days after date of publication in the Federal Register (approx. October 9, 2023). For further details, please see an overview, one pager and Interim Final Rule.

In August, 2023, USDOT launched the Project Delivery Center of Excellence, a new center focused on delivering infrastructure projects on time, on task and on budget. The Center will serve as a central resource for innovative practices and will bring project managers together to enable knowledge sharing and peer-to-peer learning. As part of this new center, USDOT has developed a thought leadership webinar series which will run from July-November 2023 (register here).

On May 2, 2023 the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) issued a Dear Colleague Letter to grant recipients in advance of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA’s) ending disaster declarations associated with the COVID-19 pandemic on May 11. This letter is to inform them they will no longer be able to use annual Section 5307 and non-Tribal 5311 funding at a 100 percent federal share for capital expenditures related to COVID-19 response. 

On February 15, 2023, USDOT in partnership with DOE finalized new minimum standards for federally funded EV chargers, including those under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure plan. See White House Fact Sheet here and new minimum standards here.

DOT Approves NEVI Plans for all 50 States, D.C., and Puerto Rico 

On Tuesday, September 27, 2022, USDOT announced that the NEVI plans for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have been approved ahead of schedule for funding.  All states, D.C., and Puerto Rico now have access to all FY22 and FY23 NEVI formula funding. USDOT also announced that costs incurred from “staffing and activities directly related to the development of their plans” are eligible for reimbursement from USDOT. 

Additionally, all approved plans are available on the NGA’s Electric Vehicle resources webpage and funding tables for the full five years of the NEVI Formula program can be viewed here.  

USDOT Expands its Financing Program for Infrastructure Projects 

On October 4, 2022, US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced that USDOT’s Build America Bureau will offer low-cost and flexible financing for transit and transit-oriented development (TOD) projects at the maximum level authorized under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program. The new initiative, “TIFIA 49”, authorizes borrowing up to 49% of eligible project costs for projects that meet certain eligibility requirements, compared to the traditional cap of 33%. Further information on the change and eligible projects can be found here.  

Carbon Reduction Program Guidance

On April 21, 2022, the USDOT announced new guidance for the $6.4 billion Carbon Reduction Program. This Federal Highway Administration formula grant program will fund a range of projects designed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from on-road highway sources, including electrification infrastructure, bus rapid transit corridors and congestion management technologies. States must develop carbon reduction strategies in consultation with Metropolitan planning Organizations by November 2023. The guidance can be found here and the five-year state funding table here. 

FHWA Releases Guidance for Highway Safety Program 

On February 2, 2022, the FHWA released new guidance to implement changes in its highway safety funding program, which received substantial new funding under the IIJA. FHWA outlined several changes through policy memos updating the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), the High Risk Rural Roads Special Rule, Older Drivers and Pedestrians Special Rule and the new Vulnerable Road Users Special Rule.

• On December 2, NTIA released draft performance measures guidance for BEAD Last-Mile Networks for public comment. This document defines mechanisms to validate that BEAD Program awardees have constructed networks in compliance with BEAD NOFO requirements and provides transparency to the public about the performance and reliability provided by these networks. NTIA is requesting public comment on this notice by December 19, 2024. You can find the link to the notice here. 
• In December, NTIA updated its BEAD Final Proposal Guidance and Templates. The purpose of this document is to outline to states and territories details on requirements under the BEAD NOFO for completing the Final Proposal, which is the final submission for the Eligible Entities BEAD grant funding. This updated version 1.2 replaces the initial version released last month and an earlier updated version. You can find the latest Guidance and Templates here.
• On August 26, 2024, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that it is seeking public comment on proposed guidance that clarifies how states and territories can fund alternative technologies projects in the BEAD program to ensure connectivity to everyone, including those in high cost and remote locations. This highly anticipated draft guidance provides further details on the “cascade of options” set out in the BEAD Notice of Funding Opportunity. Under this approach, states and territories must use “reliable broadband” technologies first, such as fiber, coaxial cable or licensed fixed wireless; and only if this it too costly to deploy, states can choose to fund projects using an alternative technology, including unlicensed fixed wireless and low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite broadband service. NTIA seeks comment from the public on this proposed guidance, including on mechanisms that ensure compliance with BEAD obligations for LEO capacity subgrants and alternative reimbursement structures for LEO capacity subgrants. If you wish to provide comment to NTIA, please submit to BEAD@NTIA.gov by midnight ET on September 10, 2024. You can find a copy of the draft guidance here. 
• On July 26, 2024 the FCC announced new rules designed to speed broadband deployment have gone into effect. These rules are intended to assist Internet Service Providers that need to attach their wires and other facilities to utility poles owned by various third parties. The FCC hopes the rules will accelerate wireline broadband deployment by addressing infrastructure barriers. See the FCC’s announcement here. 
• On March 29, 2024, the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced the availability and individual state and territory allocations under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s $1.44 billion Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program. Under the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), states and territories can apply for a total of $811 million in funding for FY2022 – 2024 to begin implementation of their Digital Equity Plans. To access these funds, states and territories must have an approved Digital Equity Plan and submit additional application materials by the respective due dates. Completed applications from states and Puerto Rico are due on May 28, 2024, and completed applications from other territories are due July 31, 2024. Future NOFOs are expected to make available up to an additional $300 million for each of fiscal years 2025 and 2026. Learn more in the press release here and NOFO here. 
• On March 19, 2024, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released Broadband Consumer Labels. The labels are modeled after the Food and Drug Administration’s ubiquitous nutrition labels and are intended to help consumers comparison shop for the internet service plan that will best meet their needs and budget. Beginning April 10, internet service providers that offer home, or fixed, internet services, or mobile broadband plans are required to have a label for each service plan they offer. The labels must disclose important information about broadband prices, introductory rates, data allowances, and broadband speeds. They also include links to information about network management practices and privacy policies. Learn more here; find a glossary of terms here.  
• On March 22, 2024, the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) launched a new mapping tool, the NTIA Permitting and Environmental Information Application, to help grant recipients and others deploying infrastructure identify permit requirements and avoid potential environmental impacts when connecting a particular location to high-speed Internet service. The application is designed to help federal broadband grant recipients and sub-grantees identify and understand the types of permits they will need and plan routes for their broadband deployments. Learn more in the press release here. 
• On March 14, 2024, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation announced that it will make a 2017 program comment establishing streamlined historic preservation permitting rules for communications infrastructure projects on federal lands available to all Internet for All programs and broadband projects from all federal agencies, both on and off federal lands. This decision was made in response to a request from NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson in October 2023. The purpose of this action is to increase the predictability and efficiency of National Historic Preservation Act “section 106” reviews, simplifying permitting for recipients of NTIA and other federal agencies’ broadband grants. For more information, you can find the press release here and a blog post here.  
• In February 2024, the Department of Commerce released a Notice of Final Waiver for its Limited General Applicability Nonavailability Waiver of the Buy America Domestic Content Procurement Preference as Applied to Recipients of Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program. The waiver is available here and Frequently Asked Questions available here.  
• On November 17, 2023, the Federal Communications Commission recently announced the release of the latest version of the National Broadband Map. The most recent version includes refined location and internet availability data across the United States and Territories. There are now over 115 million Broadband Serviceable Locations on the map, an increase of over 800,000 locations since the last release. You can view the map here, and read Chairwoman Rosenworcel’s note here.  
• On November 1, 2023, NTIA released a programmatic waiver of the Letter of Credit requirement in the BEAD Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Under the NOFO, prospective subgrantees must provide an irrevocable standby letter of credit (LOC) to the state or territory before entering into a subgrantee agreement. The amount of the LOC must be no less than 25% of the subaward amount.  Learn more in the blog post here. 
• On June 28, 2023, NTIA released final guidance for the BEAD Program’s state challenge process. The final guidance is intended to help states and territories design and implement their BEAD challenge processes and includes a model for how a state or territory may choose to meet those program requirements.
• On June 26, 2023, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced how it has allocated $42.45 billion in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program funding to states, the District of Columbia, and territories. Allocation information is available on InternetForAll.Gov. The money each state and territory receives is tied to broadband mapping data assembled at the Federal Communications Commission over the past year. The BEAD funding is intended to deploy or upgrade broadband networks to ensure that everyone has access to reliable, affordable, high-speed Internet service. Once deployment goals are met, any remaining funding can be used to pursue eligible access-, adoption-, and equity-related uses. States and territories will receive their formal notice of allocation on June 30. Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, states and territories have 180 days from the date of that formal notice to submit their Initial Proposals describing how they propose to run their grant programs. States and territories can begin submitting their Initial Proposals starting July 1. Once NTIA approves an Initial Proposal, which will occur on a rolling basis, states and territories will be permitted to request access to at least 20 percent of their allocated funds. For more information see the press release and the White House Announcement Recording.
• On June 16, the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced the award of $930 million under its Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program. The awards cover over 350 counties across 35 states and Puerto Rico, and will deploy over 12,000 miles of new fiber.  You can find the press release here and the list of awardees here.  
• On May 29, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released Version 2 of its National Broadband Map. The National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) will use Version 2 of the National Broadband Map and ongoing FCC updates to calculate the number of “high-cost locations” and the results of broadband availability challenges adjudicated prior to the announcement, to calculate funding allocations to the states and territories under the $42 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. According to a takeaways statement (linked below), NTIA remains on track to announce allocations by June 30. The updated map is on the FCC’s website, allowing anyone to check locations for internet service availability. The new map incorporates changes responding to concerns raised following the release of an initial draft in November. For more information, please see the broadband map and the NTIA takeaways. 

• On April 25, 2023, NTIA released guidance for BEAD’s state challenge process. The program’s rules require that each state and territory prepare a BEAD “challenge process” as part of their Initial Proposal and submit that to NTIA for review as Volume 1 of their Initial Proposal. In the challenge process, a unit of local government, nonprofit organization, or internet service provider may challenge whether a location or community anchor institution is eligible for BEAD funding, including whether a location has limited or no Internet service. The proposed guidance expands upon previous guidance to assist states and territories in the design and implementation of their BEAD challenge process. Additionally, the proposed guidance includes a model for how a state or territory may choose to meet all the requirements of a state challenge in the BEAD program’s rules.
• On April 25, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released a paper outlining its vision and strategy for a National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC), a key component of the research and development program established by the CHIPS and Science Act. Congress appropriated $11 billion for the creation of a national center to support and extend U.S. leadership in semiconductor research, design, engineering, and advanced manufacturing and strengthen U.S. competitiveness. Subsequently, the U.S. Department of Commerce issued a Federal Register call for nominations to join a committee that will select a board of trustees for the new, independent, purpose-built non-profit that will operate the NSTC consortium. The Department seeks distinguished and experienced individuals to be responsible for the first step in creating this new organization. Nominations will be accepted until May 10. Please see the Press Release on the vision and strategy paper and Federal Register Notice seeking nominations. 

• On February 28, as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, the ACCESS BROADBAND Act of 2021 charged the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) with tracking federal broadband investment. The law requires NTIA to report on the economic impact of federal broadband investments on local economies, including any effect on small businesses or jobs. NTIA has been working with the U.S. Census Bureau to develop the ACCESS BROADBAND Dashboard as part of this effort. The interactive dashboard includes a series of maps displaying statistics on broadband access as well as select social and economic characteristics. For more information, see the press release or the dashboard. 
• The Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) is seeking feedback on a proposal that would temporarily ease “Buy America” requirements for the Middle Mile Grant Program. NTIA is inviting feedback on a proposed limited waiver for grant recipients of the program, a $1-billion effort to fund the buildout of internet infrastructure that connects communities rather than consumers directly. The proposed limited waiver, slated for March 1 of next year until March 1, 2024, would apply to products like broadband routing equipment, optical fiber gear, and undersea cable equipment. NTIA will review the waiver no less than every six months to determine whether it’s still necessary. Comments on the proposed waiver are due by October 3. For more information, consult the relevant federal register notice. 
• On August 5, (FCC) unanimously voted to approve two proposals aimed at increasing funding for outreach for the $14 billion Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The first proposal established a $100 million grant program to help increase awareness of the larger $14 billion subsidy. The second proposal set up a pilot program to promote the broadband subsidy to recipients of federal housing assistance. 13 million people are currently enrolled in the ACP, but the Biden Administration has estimated that 48 million households are eligible. The program gives low-income households $30 each month to help pay for broadband, among other benefits. The Press Release can be found here.
• The website Internet For All provides a repository of information on the various broadband programs in the IIJA, as well as information on Treasury’s Capital Projects Fund.
• The United Stated Department of Agriculture Rural Development has developed an extensive range of virtual outreach events in anticipation of the Found 4 Funding Opportunity Announcement later this year. You can subscribe for information of upcoming events here.
• On May 31, the Federal Communications Commission launched an online help center and other resources to assist internet service providers and other filers of verified broadband availability data prepare their submissions when the filing window opens on June 30, 2022. A link to the news release can be found here.
• Department of Commerce’s Use of Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal Funding to Help Close the Digital Divide Fact Sheet
• NTIA Overview of Grant Programs in the IIJA
• NGA continues to track federal funding programs. For a comprehensive list of federal broadband funding programs, please find the federal funding tracker at the bottom of NGA’s broadband landing page.

• On November 21, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a new version of its transmission rule to allow for stronger state participation in deciding what new power lines will best improve reliability and cut costs for customers. Order No. 1920-A largely leaves the original rule intact. It requires transmission providers to conduct long-term planning for regional transmission facilities over a 20-year time horizon to anticipate future needs and to determine how to pay for those transmission facilities. It also provides for cost-effective expansion of transmission that is being replaced, when needed, known as “right-sizing” transmission facilities. For more information, please see the Press Release; Order No. 1920-A; Explainer 
• On October 29, 2024, DOE issued a Request for Information on Opportunities for Additional Support for Commercial Direct Air Capture Demonstration Facilities. This RFI seeks public input regarding additional approaches that current and future DOE programs could implement to help direct air capture technology developers address challenges in raising project investment capital and achieving sustained facility operations. This RFI will help inform the Direct Air Capture Regional Hubs program, which supports an ecosystem of projects. Responses to the RFI are due December 17, 2024. For more information, you can find the RFI here.    
• On September 11, 2024, DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) released a Request for Information (RFI) seeking feedback on the draft Distributed Energy Resource Interconnection Roadmap prepared by DOE’s Interconnection Innovation e-Xchange (i2X) program. This roadmap covers interconnection solutions for distributed energy resources (DERs) that interconnect with the distribution and sub-transmission systems only. DERs include a diverse and evolving set of technologies that connect to the distribution or sub-transmission systems, such as distributed solar photovoltaics (PV), wind, and battery energy storage. Comments are due October 7, 2024, and must be submitted electronically to i2x@ee.doe.gov. For more information, you can find the announcement here.  
• On May 31, 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) launched its online portal for its Coordinated Interagency Transmission Authorizations and Permits (CITAP) Program. This portal provides a one-stop-shop for qualified transmission developers to track the status of applications, submit materials and facilitate communication with DOE and other federal agencies. This follows the establishment of the CITAP program in April for DOE to coordinate a Federal interagency process to Federal reviews within a standard two-year schedule while ensuring meaningful engagement with Tribes, local communities, and other stakeholders. You can find a link to the CITAP online portal here and the press release here.  
• On May 7, 2024, DOE released a preliminary list of 10 potential National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (NIETCs) and announced minimum eligibility criteria for direct loans under the Transmission Facility Financing (TFF) program, which will finance the development of transmission projects in designated NIETCs. NIETCs are defined in the IIJA as areas where consumers are harmed, now or in the future, by a lack of transmission in the area and the development of new transmission would advance reliability and cost reduction in that region. Designations were made based on DOE’s 2023 National Transmission Needs Survey. NIETC designation unlocks federal funding through the TFF program, public-private partnerships through the Transmission Facilitation program, and in some circumstances, federal siting and permitting authority of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Public comments on the preliminary list of potential NIETCs can be made by emailing NIETC@hq.doe.gov and are due by June 24, 2024. Public comments on the TFF eligibility criteria can be made by emailing TFF@hq.doe.gov and are due by July 31, 2024. DOE anticipates opening the TFF program in 2025. For more information, please see the Press Release; Preliminary NIETC List; NIETC Program Website; TFF Program Website  
• On April 25, 2024, DOE announced that it is issuing a final rule to establish the Coordinated Interagency Transmission Authorizations and Permits (CITAP) Program, which aims to significantly improve Federal environmental reviews and permitting processes for qualifying transmission projects. This final rule implements a May 2023 interagency Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to expedite the siting, permitting, and construction of electric transmission infrastructure in the United States. Learn more in the press release here. 
• On March 21, 2024, DOE released findings from the Atlantic Offshore Wind Transmission Study, a two-year study evaluating transmission options to support offshore wind energy deployment along the Atlantic Coast of the United States. This study informed the Atlantic Offshore Wind Transmission Action Plan, also finalized on March 21, which outlines immediate actions needed to connect the first generation of Atlantic offshore wind projects to the electric grid, as well as longer-term efforts to increase transmission over the next several decades.  Learn more in the press release here. 
• On March 19, 2024, DOE in partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), launched the pilot of the Clean Energy Connector, a tool that connects families to solar energy through HHS’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The first-of-its-kind software can now be used by local LIHEAP program administrators in Illinois, Washington, D.C., and New Mexico to connect community solar subscriptions to as many as 40,000 households with low incomes. Connecting LIHEAP-eligible households with community solar subscriptions will lower energy bills for families, increase access to clean energy among underserved communities, and increase equitable solar energy deployment. Learn more in the press release here . 
• On March 14, 2024, DOE announced the opening of the application period for the Hydroelectric Production Incentive, part of the Hydroelectric Incentives Program. Supported by the IIJA, the Hydroelectric Incentives Program is focused on maintaining and enhancing hydroelectric facilities to ensure generators continue to provide clean power, while improving dam safety and reducing environmental impacts. Administered by DOE’s Grid Deployment Office, the Hydroelectric Production Incentives provide payments for energy generated and sold during a calendar year at qualified facilities that either added generation equipment to dams and other water infrastructure or are constructed in an area with inadequate electric service.  Applications are due by April 23,2024. Learn more in the press release here and announcement here.  
• On March 12, 2024, DOE released the National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy. Developed by DOE in collaboration with the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Strategy will guide the deployment of zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicle (ZE-MHDV) charging and hydrogen fueling infrastructure from 2024 to 2040. For more information, please see the press release here and the Strategy here.  
• On January 18, 2024, DOE’s Grid Deployment Office (GDO) and National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) opened the next round of funding for the Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grant Program (section 40101(d)), which is designed to strengthen and modernize the power grid against wildfire, extreme weather and other natural disasters.  DOE released the FY2024 Administrative and Legal Requirements Document (ALRD) and opened the allocation request and application period for FY2024 grant funding. An additional $562 million in formula funds is available for FY2024 and applicants have until April 17 2024 to apply or request allocations. A public webinar will be held on February 1, 2024, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM ET (register here). For more information, please see the ALRD, FY2024 Funding Allocations and Program Website.  
• In January 2024, DOE’s Office of Electricity released a new website focused on transformation of the electric distribution system. This website includes guidance and best practices to assist in the formulation of strategies for distribution system investments. This includes a focus on integrated distribution system planning, operational coordination and distribution system design. The website can be found at the following link.  
• On December 19 2023, DOE released final guidance for the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC) designation process. The process will enable DOE to independently narrow areas in the country where transmission development is urgently needed, and to work with affected states, tribes, local communities and industry to accelerate the development of transmission projects in those areas.  The guidance opens the first window for public submission of information and recommendations for NIETC designation, which will close on February 2, 2024. To learn more please see the press release here.  
• In August 2023, DOE’s Grid Deployment Office (GDO) released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) to establish the Coordinate Interagency Transmission Authorization and Permits (CITAP) Program to accelerate Federal environmental review and permitting processes for qualifying onshore electric transmission facilities. The CITAP Program aims to establish a better coordinated, more streamlined process that would set deadlines for Federal authorizations and permits for electric transmission on a two-year timeline and ensure engagement with Tribes, local communities, and other stakeholders. The Grid Deployment Office (GDO) would administer the CITAP program with DOE serving as the lead agency for Federal transmission permitting, authority granted under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Section 216(h) and implemented in a May 2023 interagency Memorandum of Understanding. The proposed program would require developers to participate in the Integrated Interagency Preapplication (IIP) Process, which is intended to increase efficiency and would provide a uniform mechanism for developers to identify siting constraints and opportunities and gather information that would serve as inputs, as appropriate, into Federal permitting agencies’ authorization decisions and DOE’s single environmental review document. All participating transmission developers would be required to submit a public engagement plan during the IIP Process that describes how they would work with Tribes, local communities, and other stakeholders throughout the life of the project. GDO released a draft Standard Schedule with a projected timeline for projects under this proposed rule. The comment period will be open for 45 days following the NOPR publication in the Federal Register. For more information, please see the Press Release; CITAP Program Overview and NOPR. 
• On July 5, DOE’s Loans Program Office (LPO) announced updated program guidance for the Title 17 Clean Energy Financing Program. This program provides $300 billion in loan guarantees for clean energy and decarbonization projects. These recent updates include program eligibility, application requirements, and evaluation criteria. The updated guidance also reflects new authorities for this program authorized by the IIJA and IRA. For more information, see the announcement. 
• On June 27, DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) released a 2030 National Charging Network study, which is a semiannual study that estimates the number, type, and location of electric vehicle (EV) chargers that are needed to meet public demand across the country. This study was produced as a joint effort between the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation (Joint Office) and the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Vehicle Technologies Office. This study assessed charging infrastructure needs for light-duty EVs, and also took into account local variation in EV adoption, climate, travel patterns, housing, and charging preferences. This study estimates that the U.S. will need to have 1.2 million charges by 2030 in order to meet demand. For more information, see the full report or the summary of materials.
• On June 14, David Crane was officially sworn in by U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm to become the Under Secretary for Infrastructure. During David’s tenure as OCED Director, he led the design and implementation of more than $25 billion for demonstration projects from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. 
• On June 5, 2023, DOE released the U.S. National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap, a comprehensive framework intended to accelerate the production, processing, delivery, storage, and use of clean hydrogen—a versatile and flexible energy carrier that can be produced with low or zero carbon emissions. The Strategy and Roadmap provides a snapshot of hydrogen production, transport, storage, and use in the United States today and a vision for how hydrogen can contribute to national decarbonization goals across multiple sectors in the future. It examines future demand scenarios — with strategic opportunities for the domestic production of 10 million metric tonnes (MMT) of clean hydrogen annually by 2030, 20 MMT annually by 2040, and 50 MMT annually by 2050. It also complements a historic $9.5 billion investment for clean hydrogen through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, ongoing research and development efforts across the federal government, as well as strong policy incentives — including a new production tax credit for clean hydrogen — in the Inflation Reduction Act. See press release and roadmap here. 

• On May 8, 2023, DOE’s Grid Deployment Office (GDO) issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) and Request for Information (RFI) to inform the designation of National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (NIETCs). NIETCs are geographic areas where electricity limitations, congestion, or capacity constraints are adversely affecting electricity consumers and communities. Designation of a NIETC unlocks critical federal investment and regulatory and permitting tools to spur urgent transmission investments needed in these geographic areas to improve reliability and resilience and reduce consumer costs. In the NOI, DOE provides further information on its anticipated approach to designating NIETCs. The RFI seeks stakeholder feedback to improve the NIETC designation process to more accurately pinpoint areas experiencing the greatest transmission need and with the greatest potential for immediate transmission deployment. A NIETC designation can unlock federal financing tools, specifically public-private partnerships through the $2.5 billion Transmission Facilitation Program under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the $2 billion Transmission Facility Financing Loan Program under the Inflation Reduction Act. For more information, see the press release. 
• On March 29, 2023, DOE announced the release of its Offshore Wind Energy Strategy, a comprehensive summary of the Department’s efforts to meet President Biden’s goal to deploy 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind energy by 2030 and set the nation on a pathway to 110 GW or more by 2050. Deploying 30 GW of offshore wind would provide enough power for 10 million homes, support 77,000 jobs, and spur $12 billion per year in direct private investment, according to DOE. The Department-wide strategy outlines how DOE will support the Administration’s whole-of-government approach to accelerate the deployment of offshore wind in support of achieving a carbon-free electricity sector by 2035. For more information, see the press release and the strategy. 
• The Biden administration issued presidential determinations to authorize the U.S. Department of Energy to use the Defense Production Act (DPA) for investment in key energy technologies: solar; insulation; heat pumps; electric grid transformers and components; and electrolyzers, platinum group metals, and fuel cells for clean hydrogen. In addition to DPA action, the President announced (see this WH fact sheet) that he will: Direct the development of master supply agreements and preferences for domestically manufactured solar systems across all federal procurement, including applying “super preferences” to incentivize greater investment in domestic manufacturing; and create a 24-month bridge – as domestic manufacturing rapidly scales up – to ensure the reliable supply of components that U.S. solar deployers need to construct grid-strengthening clean energy projects, while reinforcing the integrity of our trade laws and processes. 

• The Department of Energy’s State Energy Program has issued a State Energy Security Plan and Guidance document, which is a requirement of IIJA. The purpose of this guidance is to provide clarity and detail on the six elements outlined in Section 40108 of the IIJA. The guidance attached is the DOE’s interpretation of how the six elements could be met – it is not exhaustive. The framework and guidance document can be found here, and FAQ can be found here.
• The Department of Energy released a Searchable List of IIJA Programs and Grants, providing program summaries and relevant timelines.
• The Department of Energy has also released a Tracker for recent IIJA Programs RFI’s & NOI’s. Both sites are constantly updated by the DOE.

• The Department of Energy has released a factsheet on ongoing DOE initiatives to boost rural communities. The factsheet can be found here.
• The Department of Energy and Department of Transportation have established a Joint Office to implement electric and alternative fuel components of the IIJA.  

• On November 21, 2024, EPA released a draft of the Interim Framework for Advanced Consideration of Cumulative Impacts. This provides agency programs and regional offices with tools and principles to consider cumulative impacts in their work. The draft is available for public comment, with comments due by February 19, 2025. For more information, you can find the press release here and the Interim Framework here.  
• On November 21, 2024, EPA released the National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution. This strategy outlines opportunities for action to protect communities from the impacts of plastic production and waste, and details how government agencies, businesses, non-profits, and communities can take additional action to prevent plastic pollution. For more information, you can find the press release here and strategy here.  
• On October 8, 2024, the EPA issued a Memorandum providing preliminary allotment tables for the FY2025 IIJA Drinking Water SRF General Supplemental Capitalization Grants. The EPA advises that these amounts are preliminary and are provided so that states may use these amounts for planning purposes. The EPA will promptly notify the states if the final FY 2025 appropriations includes any provisions affecting BIL allotment amounts and programmatic requirements. You can find the Memorandum here.
• On October 8, 2024, EPA issued a final rule requiring drinking water systems across the country to identify and replace lead pipes within 10 years. The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) Rule also requires more rigorous testing of drinking water and a lower threshold requiring communities to take action to protect people from lead exposure. The final rule also works to improve communication with families. Alongside the LCRI, EPA announced $2.6 billion in newly available funding through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) which can be used to support lead pipe replacement and inventory projects. As highlighted in our newsletter several weeks ago, EPA is also administering a $35 million competitive program for reducing lead in drinking water, with applications due on December 30. Additional federal funding is available to support lead pipe replacement projects, and EPA has developed a website to identify available funding sources. You can find out more in the press release here and you can access the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements rule here. 
• On September 11, 2024, EPA announced the launch of a new website, the Climate Resilience and Adaptation and Funding Toolbox (CRAFT). This website provides resources for technical assistance providers and recipients of funding to develop, apply for and implement climate-resilient investments. The materials provided in CRAFT include program overviews, climate risk tools, communications materials, engagement resources and definitions. You can find the website here.  
• The EPA has established its Water Technical Assistance (WaterTA) Programs to support communities in providing safe drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services to their residents. The EPA’s free WaterTA services can include identifying lead pipes for removal, enhancing resilience against cybersecurity threats, identifying climate adaptation strategies, providing resources for workforce development, addressing stormwater challenges and complying with the Safe Drinking Water and Clean Water Acts. WaterTA can also assist interested entities in applying for federal funding. You can find out more on the EPA’s WaterTA website here.  
• On April 9, 2024, EPA issued the first-ever national drinking water standard intended to protect communities from exposure to harmful per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals.” In addition to the final rule, EPA announced nearly $1 billion in newly available funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to help states and territories implement PFAS testing and treatment at public water systems and to help owners of private wells address PFAS contamination. This will be distributed as a formula grant later this year as part of the FY2024 grant cycle for the Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities program. This additional funding is part of a $9 billion investment through IIJA to help communities with drinking water impacted by PFAS and other emerging contaminants. An additional $12 billion is available through IIJA for general drinking water improvements, including addressing emerging contaminants like PFAS. For more information, please see the Press Release, PFAS Communications Toolkit, Safe Drinking Water Resources, Final PFAS Rule 
• On March 20, 2024, the EPA released final national pollution standards for passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty vehicles for model years 2027 through 2032 and beyond. The standards become more stringent in each year up to 2032 and are anticipated to increase the portion of electric vehicle (EV) and plug-in hybrid sales over time. EPA estimates that the final model year 2032 standards represent a nearly 50% reduction in projected fleet average greenhouse gas emissions levels for light-duty vehicles and 44% reductions for medium-duty vehicles. Learn more in the press release here and see the final rule here.
• On March 19, 2024, EPA Administrator Michael Regan and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan sent a letter to all Governors regarding cyberattacks on water and wastewater systems throughout the US and requesting partnership with Governors on actions to secure water systems. The letter invited state environmental, health, and homeland security Secretaries to a convening to discuss the need to safeguard water sector critical infrastructure against cyber threats which was held March 21, and noted that EPA will engage the Water Sector and Water Government Coordinating Councils to form a Water Sector Cybersecurity Task Force. At the meeting, Deputy National Security Advisor Neuberger requested that each state share a cybersecurity plan by May 20 that includes details for how the state is working with both drinking water and wastewater systems to determine where they are vulnerable to cyberattacks and what actions they are taking to build in cybersecurity protections. For more information, please see the press release here, the letter to Governors here and the read-out from the meeting here.  
• On December 5, 2024, EPA announced a final rule to reduce methane and other pollution from oil and gas operations. Among other actions, the final rule will phase in a requirement to eliminate routine flaring of natural gas that is produced by new oil wells, require comprehensive monitoring for leaks of methane from well sites and compressor stations, and establish standards that require reductions in emissions from high-emitting equipment like controllers, pumps, and storage tanks. For more information, please see the press release, final rule and fact sheet.  
• On November 30, 2023, the EPA announced a proposal to strengthen its Lead and Copper Rule that would require water systems across the country to replace lead service lines within 10 years. The proposed rule would also work to locate legacy lead pipes, lower the Lead Action Level, increase protections to reduce exposure, update sampling protocols utilized by water systems, and require water systems to communicate more frequently with consumers. Once the proposed rule is published in the Federal Register, EPA will accept comments for 60 days. The agency will also hold a virtual public hearing to collect verbal comments on January 16, 2024. Learn more in the press release here and see the Proposed Rule website here. 
• On May 10, 2023, the EPA proposed new carbon pollution standards for coal and natural gas-fired power plants intended to protect public health, reduce harmful pollutants, and deliver up to potentially $85 billion in climate and public health benefits over the next two decades. The proposal for coal and new natural gas power plants would avoid up to 617 million metric tons of total carbon dioxide (CO2) through 2042, which is equivalent to reducing the annual emissions of 137 million passenger vehicles, roughly half the cars in the United States. The proposals would also result in cutting tens of thousands of tons of particulate matter (PM2.5), sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide, harmful air pollutants that are known to endanger people’s health. EPA will host webinars on the proposed standards on June 6 and June 7. EPA will take comment on these proposals for 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. For more information, see the press release and the rules summary. 
• On April 12, 2023, EPA announced new proposed federal vehicle emissions standards intended to accelerate the ongoing transition to a clean vehicle future. Together, these proposals would avoid nearly 10 billion tons of CO2 emissions, equivalent to more than twice the total U.S. CO2 emissions in 2022, while saving thousands of dollars over the lives of the vehicles meeting these new standards and reduce America’s reliance on approximately 20 billion barrels of oil imports. The agency projected that under its proposal, two out of every three new cars and trucks sold in 2032 will be electric — more than 10 times the current national sales rate. The rules also come with benefits, including fuel savings and avoided climate emissions, that surpass the costs by over $1 trillion, according to EPA. The first and most sweeping rule, Reg. 2060-AV49, covers light-duty cars and trucks as well as medium-duty vehicles, a class that includes larger SUVs and passenger vans. Light-duty vehicles would have to achieve a fleet average of 82 grams of carbon dioxide per mile in 2032, which is down roughly half from the 161 grams required in 2026 under current regulations. A second proposed rule, Reg. 2060-AV50, covering heavy-duty vehicles like tractor-trailers and vocational vehicles would avoid 1.8 billion tons of carbon dioxide through 2055, according to EPA; heavy-duty vehicles make up a quarter of transportation sector emissions. The light-duty proposal will be open for 60 days of public comment and the heavy-duty proposal for 50 days of comment once published in the Federal Register. For more information, see the press release, Reg. 2060-AV49, or Reg. 2060-AV50. 
• On April 5, 2023, EPA proposed to strengthen and update the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) for coal-fired power plants, intended to achieve important hazardous air pollutant emissions reductions and ensure that standards reflect the latest advancements in pollution control technologies. This proposed rule, the most significant update since MATS was first issued in February 2012, fulfills EPA’s responsibility under the Clean Air Act to periodically review emission standards. MATS requires significant reductions of mercury, acid gases, and other harmful pollutants from coal and oil-fired electric generating units. After reexamining the previous administration’s required review of MATS, EPA is proposing more stringent emissions limits and additional, cost-reasonable monitoring and control methods to further reduce harmful pollution from these sources, resulting in cleaner air for surrounding communities. EPA will accept public comment on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. For more information, see the press release or the NPRM. 

• EPA has recently updated their Water Infrastructure Technical Assistance website, intended as a resource for accessing IIJA funds. The newly added content focuses on existing EPA water TA programs and is intended to make these services more accessible. These updates include a fact sheet with an overview of TA resources, a simple Water TA Request Form, a list of the types of TA services available to the public, and information on who can receive TA through EPA’s TA opportunities. For any questions about Water Technical Assistance through EPA, please contact: WaterTA@epa.gov. 
• The EPA has released several tools to assist with the roll out of source water programs. These include the Funding Integration Tool for Source Water (FTIS) and a new SRFs and Source Water Protection Fact Sheet.
• On February 18, the EPA announced $20 million in available grant funding to assist communities and schools with removing sources of lead in drinking water under the IIJA. Further details can be found here. Application packages must be submitted no later than April 19, 2022.
• Bipartisan Infrastructure Law State Revolving Fund Memorandum
• EPA landing page: https://www.epa.gov/infrastructure
• EPA Fact Sheet: https://www.epa.gov/infrastructure/fact-sheet-epa-bipartisan-infrastructure-law
• EPA Overall allocations: https://www.epa.gov/infrastructure/explore-epas-bil-funding-allocations
• EPA Water: https://www.epa.gov/infrastructure/water-infrastructure-investments
• And allocations: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2021-12/governors-bil-letter-final-508.pdf
• EPA Cleanup: https://www.epa.gov/infrastructure/cleanup-revitalization-and-recycling-investments
• EPA School Buses: https://www.epa.gov/infrastructure/investments-electric-and-low-emission-school-buses
• EPA Pollution Prevention: https://www.epa.gov/infrastructure/investments-pollution-prevention

• The Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council was established in 2015 and is charged with improving the transparency, predictability and outcomes of the Federal environmental review and authorization process for certain large-scale infrastructure projects. This includes infrastructure projects in the conventional energy production, renewable energy production, electricity transmission, surface transportation, aviation, ports and waterways, water resource, broadband, pipelines, manufacturing, mining, and carbon capture sectors that meet certain criteria. Additional information can be found in this Overview of FAST-41 and the Permitting Council or at https://www.permits.performance.gov/
• To contact the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council, please email FAST.FortyOne@fpisc.gov
• The White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) released a proposed rule that is designed to fully implement changes to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) directed by Congress under the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. The proposed rule aims to accelerate NEPA review processes, provide agencies with new tools for conducting environmental reviews, strengthen energy security, accelerate renewable energy projects, encourage early community engagement, and ensure that reviews are thorough, well-documented, and lead to decisions that are timely and have strong legal standing. Other provisions within the proposed rule are designed to clarify the roles of lead and cooperating agencies, set deadlines and page limits for NEPA reviews, help agencies establish new categorical exclusions, encourage additional programmatic environmental assessments, and support mitigated project assessments. The proposed rule will formally be published in the Federal Registrar on Monday, and interested parties will have until Friday, September 29 to submit comments via Regulations.gov. More information on these meetings will be released on NEPA.gov when available. Please see the Press Release and Proposed Rule.   
• On June 21, President Biden appointed Eric Beightel as the new Executive Director of the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Permitting Council), beginning July 3. Beightel recently served as the Associate Vice President and national lead for Infrastructure Policy and Environmental Strategy at HDR, Inc., an engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services firm. Beightel will oversee $100 billion in infrastructure projects spanning the energy, environment, and infrastructure sectors. Beightel is succeeding Christine Harada in this role, who will be remaining with the Biden administration in a new capacity which will be announced in July. For more information, see the press release. 
• On March 6, 2023, the Biden Administration offered new instructions for agency leaders attempting to speed up the environmental review and permitting process for major energy and infrastructure projects. A memo issued to department heads offers guidance for agencies to comply with the Biden administration’s permitting “action plan” that it rolled out last year. The memo — signed by Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young, Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory, and Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council Executive Director Christine Harada — marks the administration’s latest move on revamping the often-lengthy permitting process. The new guidance includes details for agencies about how to establish clear timeline goals and about which infrastructure projects should be included on a federal permitting “dashboard.” For more information, see the permitting memo. 

• The Biden Administration has released a new Permitting Action Plan to strengthen and accelerate Federal permitting and environmental reviews by fully leveraging existing permitting authorities, as well as new provisions in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The Action Plan outlines the Administration’s strategy for ensuring that Federal environmental reviews and permitting processes are effective, efficient, and transparent, guided by the best available science to promote positive environmental and community outcomes, and shaped by early and meaningful public engagement. Resources: Fact Sheet; Action Plan

• The Biden-Harris Administration released a permitting action plan to strengthen and accelerate Federal permitting and environmental reviews by fully leveraging existing permitting authorities, as well as new provisions in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The fact sheet can be found here, and the action plan can be found here.

• On October 17, 2024, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI)’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposed a new categorical exclusion (CX) designed to help accelerate the discovery of new geothermal resources. The CX would eliminate the need for an environmental assessment as part of the permitting process for most cases of geothermal resource confirmation operations on public lands and split estates. It would apply to projects of up to 20 acres, which can include drilling wells (ex. core drilling, temperature gradient wells, and/or resource wells) to confirm the existence of a geothermal source, to improve injection support, or to demonstrate connections between wells. Further geothermal development would still require additional environmental analysis. The public comment period will be open for 30 days following publication in the Federal Register. Learn more here.
• On October 1, 2024, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) released draft guidance on how eligible states can apply for up to $40 million each in Regulatory Improvement Grant funding for orphaned oil and gas wells. This funding, divided evenly between Plugging Standards Grants and Program Improvement Grants, is intended to support states in implementing standards and procedures that support well plugging and that reduce future orphaned well burdens, respectively. Comments on the draft guidance can be submitted to orphanedwells@ios.doi.gov by November 12. For more information, you can read the Press Release, Draft Guidance, and Program Website. 
• In May 2024, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) released new guidance on matching grants under the IIJA’s Orphaned Well Site Plugging, Remediation, and Reclamation Program. The guidance sets out permissible uses of awarded matching grant funds, instructions for matching grant applications and state reporting requirements, among other things. You can find the new guidance here.  
• In October 2023, The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) recently approved a final rule directing the North American Reliability Corporation (NERC) to develop new standards related to the ongoing integration of inverter-based resources (IBRs), which includes solar photovoltaic, wind, fuel cell, and battery storage. In particular, the rule directs NERC to develop a suite of new or modified reliability standards that comprehensively address IBR data sharing, model validation, planning and operational studies, and performance requirements. NERC must file the new or revised standards in tranches, with each tranche due no later than November 4 of each of the next three years. NERC also has 90 days to submit to the Commission an informational filing that includes a detailed, comprehensive standards development and implementation plan. These IBRs use power electronic devices to change the direct current power produced by generators into alternating current power that is then transmitted on the bulk electric system. In certain cases, these resources respond to grid disturbances differently from traditional generation resources such as hydropower, nuclear, coal or natural gas plants. Most mandatory reliability standards were developed for traditional generation resources, so this final rule designed to ensure IBRs support reliability in the same manner as traditional generation resources. Learn more in the press release here. 
• On July 28, 2023, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a final rule focused on modernizing the nation’s transmission grid. The final rule includes several key areas of reforms, including institution of a first-ready-first-served cluster study process with increased financial commitments for interconnection customers to improve the efficiency of the interconnection process and minimize delays; imposition of firm deadlines and penalties if transmission providers fail to complete their interconnection studies on time; incorporation of technological advancements into the interconnection process, including consideration of advanced transmission technologies in the interconnection study process; and an update of modeling and performance requirements for inverter-based resources to ensure continued system reliability. The rule, which came out of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking issued in June 2022, will take effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. Compliance filings are due 90 days after publication in the Federal Register. Please see the Press Release and Fact Sheet. 
• The U.S. Department of the Interior has launched an interactive map and data file to track DOI projects funded from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Under the IIJA the Department was allocated $28.1 billion for its initiatives, including combatting legacy pollution, restoring critical habitats, addressing drought, assisting with wildfire management and preparing for extreme weather events. To date, the DOI has invested $7.3 billion in over 1,300 projects nationwide, which are reflected on the map. See the press release here and the map here.  
• On June 14, the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management announced a proposed update of its renewable energy regulations to promote the development of solar and wind energy on public lands. The new rule would reduce fees for these projects by around 80%, facilitate development in priority areas by streamlining review of applications, and deliver greater certainty to the private sector. The proposed rule opens a 60-day public comment period from publication in the Federal Register (around August 15, 2023). The proposed rule can be found here.  
• USDA Rural Development (RD) announced that they are accepting applications through the Rural Business Development Grant program, intended to improve rural transportation systems in rural communities through training and technical assistance. Eligible applicants include national organizations that are equipped to provide training and technical assistance. Applicants must submit their applications to their local USDA office by April 19, 2023, at 4:30 PM local time. Additional information is available on page 3376 of the Jan. 19, 2023, Federal Register. For more information, see the full stakeholder announcement by USDA RD. 
• The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has announced the Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies (ARISE) initiative, aiming to support regional economic development through large scale, multi state projects across Appalachia using IIJA funding. Funding for Multi-State projects is now available, with application accepted on a rolling basis. For more information, visit the ARISE webpage here.

• The Department of the Interior’s Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) has announced the final rule extending the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund program through 2034, along with other changes to the program. The final rule extends OSMRE’s ability to collect reclamation fees for an additional 13 years and reduces the fee rates by 20%. More information on the extension of this program can be found at the announcement here. 

• On July 21, 2022, the U.S. Department of the Interior released final guidance for the FY2022 funding available for the Reclaiming Abandoned Mine Lands program. The main components of the final guidance include encouraging states and Tribes to prioritize projects that invest in disadvantaged communities, incorporate public review and comment into the selection of projects, design projects to maximize the amount of methane that can be reduced and prioritize employment of current of current and former coal industry workers. The media release can be found here and the final guidance can be accessed here.
• The White House has published an inaugural list of programs covered under the Justice40 Initiative. The Justice40 Initiative was established in Executive Order 14008 on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. Justice40 covered programs are Federal programs that make covered investments in any one of the following seven categories: climate change, clean energy and energy efficiency, clean transit, affordable and sustainable housing, training and workforce development, remediation and reduction of legacy pollution, and the development of critical clean water and wastewater infrastructure. Existing and new programs, including those created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, that make covered investments in any of these categories are considered Justice40 covered programs. The list of covered programs can be found here.
• On July 6, the U.S. Department of Labor announced that $140 million has been made available to state workforce/labor agencies for training dollars. Applicants must advise whether they are targeting one of four priority industries: infrastructure, climate and economy or the care economy. Funding applications must be submitted no later than August 4, 2022. Please see relevant information on the opportunity here.
• In June, the Biden Administration announced it is launching a summer-long Talent Pipeline Challenge to enable partnerships and encourage investments for training around three key infrastructure sectors—Construction, Broadband, & Electrification (EV charging infrastructure and battery manufacturing). The Challenge is a nationwide call to action for employers, education and training providers, state, territorial, local and Tribal governments and philanthropic organizations to support workforce development. For states, territories and localities, the Talent Pipeline Challenge asks governments to use federal funding to investment in workforce development efforts in these critical sectors, serve as a regional convenor of employers, training and community partners to identify workforce needs and develop plans, serve as a model employer, encourage contractors to use local/economic hiring preferences and adapt career and technical education plans. You can find more information on the Challenge in the Fact Sheet here.

• On April 18, 2022, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget issued initial guidance on implementing a Buy America preference in federal financial assistance for infrastructure (including IIJA). This initial guidance relates to iron and steel, manufactured products and construction materials. The initial guidance can be found here.
• On April 14, 2022, the Administration announced the release of Agency Equity Action Plans to advance equity and racial justice across the Federal Government. The White House Fact Sheet can be found here. The Department of Transportation’s Equity Action Plan be found here, the Department of Commerce’s Equity Action Plan is here and the Department of Energy’s can be found here. 

• Fact Sheet: The Biden-Harris Action Plan for Building Better School Infrastructure
• The Department of the Interior announced on February 7 that it had allocated nearly $725 million in FY22 Funding from the $11.3 billion abandoned mine lands reclamation program.
• On January 31, the Department of the Interior announced that $1.15 billion in funding has been made available to states for the Orphaned Well Site Plugging, Remediation, And Restoration program.
• The Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities and Economic Revitalization has updated its website with a centralized clearinghouse for federal funding sources, including IIJA programs. The funding opportunities page can be found here. 

• FCC EBB/Affordable Connectivity Program: https://www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit
• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released a statement highlighting investments in NOAA mapping, forecasting, and modeling.
• The Congressional Research Service released a report on the broadband provisions.
• Army Corps CRS Overview: https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IN/IN11723

• White House Fact Sheet: Competitive Infrastructure Funding Opportunities for Local Governments
• Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) – Additional Low-Income Energy Assistance Program Funds – $100 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to help families pay their outstanding heating and cooling bills. The funding is in addition to existing LIHEAP appropriations and is the first installment of the five-year, $500 million investment in the program provided from the IIJA.

• December 17, 2024 – Comments due in response to Request for Information on DOE’s Direct Air Capture Program   
• December 18, 2024 – Application due for USDA’s 2025 Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance Program
• December 18, 2024 – Applications due for USDA’s 2025 Community Wood Energy and Wood Innovation Program
• December 20, 2024 – Applications due for DOE’s Critical Materials Innovation Hub Opportunity 
• December 20, 2024 – Comments due in response to Request for Information on DOE’s Carbon Storage Assurance Facility Enterprise (CarbonSAFE) Initiative
• December 20, 2024 – Applications due for EPA’s Solid Waste for Recycling Grants for Political Subdivisions of States and Territories 
• December 20, 2024 – Applications due for EPA’s Consumer Recycling Education and Outreach (REO) Grant Program  
• December 21, 2024 – Submission Deadline for Full Applications for DOE’s Wholesale Electricity Market Studies and Engagement Program Round Three 
• December 30, 2024 – Applications due for EPA’s Reducing Lead in Drinking Water Discretionary Grant Program
• December 31, 2024 – Applications due for U.S. Geological Survey’s FY2024 Surveys and Mapping in Alaska through Earth Mapping Resources Initiative  
• December 31, 2024 – Applications due for DOI’s National Fish Passage Program: Restoring River, Floodplain and Coastal Connectivity and Resiliency (by invitation only following specific process) 
• December 31, 2024 – Applications due for DOI’s U.S. Geological Survey FY2024 Earth Mapping Resource Initiative 
• January 6, 2025 – Request for comments due for DOT’s Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program 
• January 7, 2025 – Applications due for DOI’s State Component of the National Cooperative Mapping Program
• January 9, 2025 – Applications due for DOE’s Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP™) Program 
• January 9, 2025 – Applications due for NOAA’s FY24 Coastal Zone Management Habitat Protection and Restoration Competition  
• January 9, 2025 – Applications due for NOAA’s FY24 National Estuarine Research Reserve System Habitat Protection and Restoration Competition  
• January 9, 2025 – Applications due for EPA’s Clean School Bus Program
• January 9, 2025 – Applications due for USDOT’s Regional Infrastructure Accelerator Program 
• January 10, 2025 – Applications due for DOE’s Artificial Intelligence for Interconnection (AI4IX) program 
• January 10, 2025 – Applications due for FY2024-2026 Garrett A. Morgan Technology and Transportation Education Program
• January 14, 2024 – Applications due for DOE’s Nuclear Reactor Safety Training and Workforce Development Program 
• January 14, 2025 – Applications due for DOE’s U.S.- Danish Floating Offshore Wind Energy Mooring and Anchoring Research and Development
• January 14, 2025 – Applications due for first round of FY2025 funding for DOI’s WaterSMART Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects 
• January 14, 2025 – Applications close for the Educational Component of the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program 
• January 15, 2025 – Applications close for FHWA’s FY2025 Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund   
• January 17, 2025 – Applications close for FTA’s FY25 Bus Safety and Accessibility and Research Program 
• January 17, 2025 – Applications due for EPA’s Transboundary Watershed Grants 
• January 17, 2025 – Applications due for DOE’s Generation III + Small Modular Reactor Pathway to Deployment
• January 21, 2025 – Applications due for DOE’s Transmission Acceleration Grants (TAG) Program 
• January 28, 2025 – Applications due for EPA’s Farmer to Farmer Program 
• January 30, 2025 – Applications due for Round 2 of USDOT’s FY2025 RAISE Program
• January 30, 2025 – Full Applications due for DOE’s U.S. Waves Energy Open Water Testing Program
• January 31, 2025 – Applications due for Bureau of Land Management National Conservation Lands – Management Studies Support Program 
• January 31, 2024 – Applications due for NOAA’s FY2025 Marine Debris Removal program
• January 31, 2025 – Applications due for DOI’s FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Colorado Wildlife Program
• January 31, 2025 – Applications due for DOI’s FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Colorado Aquatic Resource Management
• January 31, 2025 – Applications due for DOI’s FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Colorado Threatened and Endangered Species Program
• January 31, 2025 – Applications due for DOI’s FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Colorado Plant Conservation and Restoration Management
• February 3, 2025 – Applications due for FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Idaho Cultural and Paleontological Resource Management 
• February 3, 2025 – Applications due for FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Idaho Recreation and Visitor Services  
• February 3, 2025 – Applications due for FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Idaho Invasive and Noxious Plant Management 
• February 3, 2025 – Applications due for FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Idaho Forest and Woodlands Resource Management 
• February 3, 2025 – Applications due for FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Idaho Rangeland Resource Management 
• February 3, 2025 – Applications due for FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Idaho Threatened and Endangered Species Program 
• February 3, 2025 – Applications due for FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Idaho Aquatic Resource Management 
• February 3, 2025 – Applications due for FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Plant Conservation and Restoration Management  
• February 3, 2025 – Applications due for FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Youth Conservation Corp
• February 3, 2025 – Applications due for FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Idaho Plant Conservation and Restoration Management  
• February 3, 2025 – Applications due for FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Idaho Wildlife Program 
• February 3, 2025 – Applications due for DOI’s FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Colorado Recreation and Visitor Services
• February 3, 2025 – Applications due for DOI’s FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management California Forest and Woodlands Resource Management
• February 3, 2025 – Applications due for DOI’s FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management California Recreation and Visitor Services
• February 3, 2025 – Applications due for DOI’s FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Colorado Forest and Woodlands Resource Management
• February 3, 2025 – Applications due for DOI’s FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Colorado Cultural and Paleontological Resource Management
• February 4, 2025 – Applications due for FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington Aquatic Resource Management  
• February 7, 2025 – Applications due for NTIA’s Digital Equity Act Native Entity Capacity and Planning Grant Application Window Open 
• February 7, 2024 – Applications due for NOAA’s FY2025 Marine Debris Interception Technologies  
• February 7, 2025 – Submission deadline for DOE’s Commercial Direct Air Capture Pilot Prize 
• February 10, 2025 – Applications due for DOC’s Restoring Fish Passage through Barrier Removal Funding 
• February 12, 2025 – Applications due for DOI’s FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington Forest and Woodlands Resource Management
• February 13, 2025 – Full applications due for DOE’s Long-Duration Energy Storage Pilot Program 
• February 18, 2025 – Applications due for FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington Rangeland Resource Management 
• February 19, 2025 – Applications due for FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington Plant Conservation and Restoration Management 
• February 24, 2025 – Applications due for USDOT’s Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Competitive Program FY24-FY25 
• February 27, 2025 – Concept Papers due for DOE’s Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas Program 
• February 27, 2025 – Applications due for DOC’s Restoring Tribal Priority Fish Passage through Barrier Removal Funding  
• February 28, 2025 – Applications due for DOI’s FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management California Threatened and Endangered Species Program
• February 28, 2025 – Applications due for USDA’s Community Wildfire Defense Grant 2024 (FY25) South 
• February 28, 2025 – Applications due for USDA’s Community Wildfire Defense Grant 2024 (FY25) Tribes 
• February 28, 2025 – Applications due for USDA’s Community Wildfire Defense Grant 2024 (FY25) West 
• February 28, 2025 – Applications due for USDA’s Community Wildfire Defense Grant 2024 (FY25) Northeast-Midwest
• March 2, 2025 – Applications due for DOI’s FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington Youth Conservation Corps
• March 3, 2025 – Applications due for FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington Threatened Species and Endangered Species Program  
• March 5, 2025 – Applications due for DOI’s FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington Fuels Management and Community Fire Assistance March 5, 2025 – Applications due for DOI’s DY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington Invasive and Noxious Plant Management
• March 10, 2025 – Applications due for DOI’s FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington Recreation and Visitor Services
• March 11, 2025 – Applications due for DOI’s WaterSMART Environmental Water Resources Projects for FY2025
• March 14, 2025 – Applications due for DOI’s FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington Wildlife Program
• March 14, 2025 – Applications due for EPA’s Solid Waste for Recycling Grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia 
• March 17, 2025 – Applications due for IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Alaska Plant Conservation and Restoration Management 
• March 17, 2025 – Applications due for IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Alaska Recreation and Visitor Services 
• March 17, 2025 – Applications due for IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Alaska Wildlife Program 
• March 17, 2025 – Applications due for FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Alaska Aquatic Resource Management 
• March 17, 2025 – Applications due for FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Alaska Good Neighbor Authority 
• March 17, 2025 – Applications due for FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Alaska Invasive and Noxious Plant Management  
• April 15, 2025 – Notice of Intent deadline for FY25 cycle of DOT’s Accelerated Innovation Deployment (AID) Demonstration 
• April 17, 2025 – Applications due for EPA’s San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund  
• April 30, 2025 – Applications due for DOE’s Carbon Utilization Procurement Grants (Deadline Extended from April 30, 2024) 
• May 27, 2025 – Applications close for the FY 25 cycle of DOT’s Accelerated Innovation Deployment (AID) Demonstration 
• July 8, 2025 – Applications due for second round of FY2025 funding for DOI’s WaterSMART Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects 
• August 1, 2025 – Applications due for USDOT’s FY2025 Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects Program 
• August 1, 2025 – Applications close for USDOT’s FY2026 Wildlife Crossing Pilot Program  
• August 1, 2025 – Applications close for Bridge Investment Program – Large Bridge Project for FY26
• August 25, 2025 – Applications close for USDOT’s FY24 National Culvert Removal, Replacement and Restoration Grant Program (Culvert Aquatic Organism Passage (Culvert AOP) Program) [Note – opens June 23, 2025] 
• August 28, 2025 – Full Applications due for DOE’s Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas Program 
• October 1, 2025 – Applications close for USDOT’s FY2026 Bridge Investment Program, Planning Grants (Small bridge program with costs less than $100 million) 
• November 1, 2025 – Applications close for USDOT’s FY2026 Bridge Investment Program, Bridge Project Applications (small bridge program with costs less than $100 million) 
• January 15, 2026 – Application window for FEMA’s FY2024 Flood Mitigation Assistance Swift Current program closes 
• February 26, 2026 – Applications due for USDOT’s Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Competitive Program FY26 
• April 14, 2026 – Notice of Intent deadline for FY26 cycle of DOT’s Accelerated Innovation Deployment (AID) Demonstration 
• May 26, 2026 – Applications close for the FY 26 cycle of DOT’s Accelerated Innovation Deployment (AID) Demonstration 
• August 1, 2026  – Applications due for USDOT’s FY2026 Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects Program 
• August 24, 2026 – Applications close for USDOT’s FY25 National Culvert Removal, Replacement and Restoration Grant Program (Culvert Aquatic Organism Passage (Culvert AOP) Program) [Note – opens June 22, 2026] 
• August 23, 2027 – Applications close for USDOT’s FY26 National Culvert Removal, Replacement and Restoration Grant Program (Culvert Aquatic Organism Passage (Culvert AOP) Program) [Note – opens June 21, 2027]