IIJA Implementation Resources

On February 20, 2025, the White House announced the end of decades worth of rules for how to conduct reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) unveiled an Interim Final Rule (IFR) that rescinds almost 50 years’ worth of rules, a move that falls in line with Trump’s “Unleashing American Energy” Executive Order, which revoked the 1977 order that originally authorized CEQ to promulgate NEPA rules. The new rule is slated to take effect on April 11, 2025, after the public comment period closes on March 27, 2025. CEQ also unveiled voluntary guidance for hundreds of federal agencies to follow with the goal of expediting and simplifying permitting. Overall, the document, signed by CEQ Chief of Staff Katherine Scarlett, shifts responsibility from CEQ’s overarching rules to agencies’ individual procedures, which must now be updated. Read more here.

On February 14, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order creating the National Energy Dominance Council. The Council will act as an advisory body focused on increasing energy production and expediting infrastructure permitting in the United States. Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum will lead, and Energy Secretary Chris Wright will serve as vice chair. Learn more here.

On March 4, 2025, FHWA announced a new rule delaying the rule titled Buy America Requirements for Manufactured Products. The original final rule, published on January 14, 2025, ended the general waiver that previously applied to manufactured products, and establishes Buy America requirements for manufactured products with respect to Federal-aid highway projects. In accordance with the memorandum of January 20, 2025, from the President to executive departments and agencies entitled “Regulatory Freeze Pending Review”, this new action temporarily delays the effective date of the original final rule. You can find the new rule here. 

On December 9, 2024, , the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) issued a Public Interest Waiver of the Application of Certain Domestic Preference Requirements and Policies for Transit-Oriented Development Housing Projects. This waiver would set aside the domestic preference requirements for manufactured products for transit-oriented development projects that receive credit assistance through the Build America Bureau under the TIFIA and RRIF credit programs. USDOT seeks comments on this waiver by December 24, 2024. You can find the notice here.

On November 18, 2024 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.  

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. 

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 January 2, 2025, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released its Final Alternative Broadband Technology Policy Notice. This guidance clarifies how states can use broadband funding to deploy technologies like Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite and unlicensed fixed wireless. This notice gives states and territories additional flexibility and simplified processes for determining where alternative technologies can be funded. For more information, please see the final guidance here and press release here.
• On December 23, 2024, NTIA announced that it had obligated all $42.5 billion in Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program funding to states and territories and that it is implementing efforts to streamline the BEAD Final Proposal process. To this end, NTIA recently released a new version of the Final Proposal Guidance, which streamlines more than 40% of questions, removes duplicative waiting periods, and provides greater state flexibility. NTIA also issued a guidance document which identifies actionable steps that states, territories and service providers can take to accelerate the construction of BEAD projects.  For more information, you can find Version 1.2 of the Final Proposal Guidance here, the accelerating construction of BEAD guidance here, and the press release here.
• On December 4, 2024, NTIA released a blog post which outlines a series of steps that State Broadband Offices can consider implementing to support broadband workforce development in their jurisdictions. The post also highlights states and territories that are already allocating BEAD funds towards workforce development initiatives. You can find a link to the blog post here. 
• On December 2, 2024, 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 2024, 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 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, 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, 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 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, 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, 2023, 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 February 28, 2023 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. 

• On February 14, 2025, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced an extension of the public comment period on three National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (NIETCs). A NIETC is an area of the country where DOE has determined the lack of adequate transmission harms consumers and the development of transmission would advance important national interests in that area, such as increased reliability and reduced consumer costs. The three NIETCs include the Lake Erie-Canada Corridor, the Southwestern Grid Connector Corridor, and the Tribal Energy Access Corridor. The public comment period will close April 15, 2025. Learn more here.
• On February 5, 2025, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright signed his first Secretarial Order directing the Department of Energy to take immediate action in accordance with the President’s Executive Orders. The Secretarial Order requires the Department to take a number of initial actions under the following headings: Advancing Energy Addition, Not Subtraction; Unleashing American Energy Innovation; Returning to Regular Order on LNG Exports; Promoting Affordability and Consumer Choice in Home Appliances; Refilling the Strategic Petroleum Reserve; Modernizing America’s Nuclear Stockpile; Unleashing Commercial Nuclear Power in the United States; Strengthening Grid Reliability and Security; and, Streamlining Permitting and Identifying Undue Burdens on American Energy. For more information, you can find the Secretarial Order here.
• 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 February 4, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the agency’s Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative. This plan outlines the Agency’s priorities and consists of five pillars to guide the EPA’s work over the first 100 days and beyond. The five pillars are: Clean Air, Land, and Water for Every American; Restoring American Energy Dominance; Permitting Reform, Cooperative Federalism, and Cross-Agency Partnership; Making the United States the Artificial Intelligence Capital of the World; and, Protecting and Bringing Back American Auto Jobs. You can learn more in the press release here.
• 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 February 3, 2025, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum officially began his tenure as the 55^th Secretary of the Interior and signed six Secretary’s Orders. The orders are: Addressing the National Energy Emergency (Order 3417); Unleashing American Energy (Order 3418); Delivering Emergency Price Relief for American Families and Defeating the Cost-of-Living Crisis (Order 3419); Announcing President Trump’s Revocation of Former Outer Continental Shelf Withdrawals (Order 3420); Achieving Prosperity Through Deregulation (Order 3421); and Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential (Order 3422). You can find more information on these orders in the Department’s press release 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.

• July 15, 2025 – Applications due for USDOT’s Marine Highway Program
• August 1, 2025 – Application deadline for USDOT’s Bridge Investment Program, Large Bridge Project Grants 
• August 4, 2025 – Application deadline for USDOT’s Competitive Highway Bridge Program 
• September 10, 2025 – Applications due for USDOT’s Port Infrastructure Development Program