INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT (IIJA)
Download FFIS’s IIJA State Allocations Spreadsheet FFIS continues to populate its IIJA spreadsheet with new announcements on program implementation; each week’s changes are highlighted in yellow. A dedicated tab includes recently issued Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs). New or updated allocations are provided for:
- Community Wildfire Defense Grants (FY 2023 awards)
- Colorado River Endangered Species Recovery and Conservation Programs (FY 2024 allocations)
AGRICULTURE
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Announces IIJA and IRA Wood Product Awards Grants totaling nearly $74 million are going to 171 projects in 42 states and territories via the Wood Innovations Grant, Community Wood Grant, and Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance Grant Programs. Recipients include state agencies, local governments, tribes, institutions of higher education (IHEs), and companies.
USDA Awards Community Wildfire Defense Grants These IIJA-funded grants totaling $250 million will fund 158 projects in 33 states and territories and 11 tribes to develop community wildfire protection plans and remove overgrown vegetation.
ENERGY
Department of Energy (DOE) Updates State and Local Solution Center Webinar Schedule Topics include EV charging infrastructure, weatherization, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and more.
DOE Extends Application Deadline for $562 Million in Formula Grants Through the Preventing Outages and Enhancing the Resilience of the Electric Grid Program Applications will now be accepted through June 17, 2024.
DOE Awards $71 Million to Advance Solar Manufacturing and Development
- Silicon Solar Manufacturing and Dual-Use Photovoltaics Incubator ($26.5 million, including $16 million from the IIJA; awards)
- Advancing U.S. Leadership in Thin-Film Technologies ($44 million, does not include IIJA funding; awards)
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Finalizes Transmission Rules The first rule aligns regulations with changes made in the IIJA by clarifying FERC’s authority to issue permits to construct or modify electric transmission facilities in a National Corridor if a state has denied a siting application. It also requires applicants to demonstrate good-faith efforts to engage with landowners, environmental justice communities, and tribes in the permitting process. A presentation on the rule is here.
The second rule addresses requirements for how transmission providers must conduct long-term planning for regional transmission facilities and determine how to pay for them. Among the many provisions, it expands states’ role in project planning and selection, including decisions on how to pay for facilities. A fact sheet is here and a presentation on the rule is here. Both rules are effective 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.
ENVIRONMENT
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Awards More Than $300 Million in FY 2024 Brownfields Grants EPA selected 178 communities to receive a total of $231 million in Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup (MAC) grants plus $68 million in supplemental funding to 31 high-performing Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) recipients. Finally, a $3 million grant was awarded to Grow America to provide technical assistance to current and potential future RLF grantees. A list of MAC and RLF recipients is here.
EPA Makes $14 Million Available for FY 2025 Brownfields Job Training Grants Applications are due August 15.
HOMELAND SECURITY
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Updates Events Webpage Offerings include overviews and trainings on grant programs; Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA) requirements; emergency planning; and more.
INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation Announces Investments Totaling $520 Million for Aging Infrastructure Revitalization The IIJA provided more than $3.2 billion for these activities over FYs 2022-2026. A list of projects is here.
Department of the Interior (DOI) Issues Final Guidance for Matching Grants Under the Orphaned Well Site Plugging, Remediation, and Restoration (Orphaned Wells) Grant Program Each state that received an Initial Grant is eligible for up to $30 million in Matching Grants. For each fiscal year, a state may apply for a Matching Grant in the amount that the state will spend on program activities in that year that exceeds the average annual amount spent by the state on those activities during FYs 2010-2019. For an award to be spent in a particular fiscal year, the state’s application must be submitted by the last day of the first quarter of the state’s fiscal year. Funds must be obligated within five years of the grant’s effective date; no funds may be awarded after FY 2030.
TRANSPORTATION
Department of Transportation (DOT) Awards $63 Million in FY 2024 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Program Planning and Demonstration Grants A map and list of awards is here. In the release, DOT highlighted that the funding opportunity under which these awards were made remains open through August 29.
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Makes More Than $2 Billion Available for Projects on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) Through the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Projects must be included in the latest version of the NEC project inventory to be eligible for funding. The funding opportunity is here; applications are due July 14. FRA will host a webinar on May 23, 2:00 p.m. ET (register).
Joint Office of Energy and Transportation to Host Webinar on Reliability Strategies for Electric Vehicle Charging It will be held May 23, 1:30 p.m. ET (register through the link in heading).
INFLATION REDUCTION ACT (IRA)
Download IRA State Allocations Spreadsheet The spreadsheet, updated weekly, lists state allocations and estimates, summary information on eligibility and other grant features, and links to additional information; each week’s changes are highlighted in yellow. New allocations are provided for:
- Forest Legacy Program
- Bureau of Reclamation Domestic Water Supply Projects (WaterSMART Drought Resiliency Grants)
TREASURY
Treasury, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Release Guidance on IRA’s Domestic Content Bonus The bonus applies to facilities and projects built using the required amounts of domestically produced steel, iron, and manufactured products. The guidance modifies an existing safe harbor and provides a new elective safe harbor for determining Domestic Content Bonus Credit amounts.
IRS and Treasury Issue Release Capacity Limitation Carryover Amounts for 2024 Program Year In Announcement 2024-25, the agencies provide the unallocated environmental justice solar and wind capacity limitation that has been carried over from the 2023 Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit.
CHIPS AND SCIENCE ACT (CHIPS)
Download FFIS’s CHIPS Act Spreadsheet Updated weekly, the spreadsheet provides information on CHIPS-related NOFOs and awards that may be of interest to states. Each week’s changes are highlighted in yellow. New awards are listed for:
- NSF Engines – Type 1 (Development)
National Science Foundation, Micron, and GlobalFoundries Partner to Support Semiconductor Workforce Development at Minority-Serving IHEs
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Posts Video and Slides from May 17 Session on Open Radio Commercialization and Innovation NOFO The NOFO is the second from the Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund.
CORONAVIRUS
Download COVID-19 State Allocations Spreadsheet No updated allocations are provided this week.
EDUCATION
Department of Education (ED) Updates COVID Materials Updates include:
- Links and status of state maintenance of effort waiver requests
TREASURY
Treasury Revises State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) FAQs, Schedules Webinar A new question addresses conflict-of-interest standards and is dated 5/10/2024. The department will hold office hours and a training session on the SSBCI Equity Capital Program on May 23, 4:00 p.m. ET. Register here.
OTHER NEWS
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
House Passes NTIA Reauthorization The bill now awaits Senate action.
House Passes Bill to Reauthorize Emergency Medical Services for Children Program The bill (H.R. 6960) would reauthorize the program, which provides grants to states and medical schools, at $24.3 million annually for FYs 2025-2029. A similar bill (S. 3765) has been introduced in the Senate.
President Signs Bill to Reauthorize Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Through FY 2028 Of interest to states, the Airport Improvement Program is funded at $4 billion for FYs 2025-2028, compared to $3.35 billion annually under the previous authorization.
GENERAL
Census Bureau Releases 2023 Population Estimates for Cities and Towns An interactive tool shows how population is shifting within each state.
AGRICULTURE
National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Announces 68 Grants Totaling $308 Million Under the 1890 Institution Teaching, Research and Extension Capacity Building Program The grants are going to projects at historically Black land-grant universities.
USDA Announces Awards and Additional Opportunities Under Organic Transition Initiative Recipients include state agencies in Connecticut and Texas.
USDA Awards Rural Infrastructure Grants Funding for 47 projects is being awarded through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program and the Electric Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program.
USDA Highlights Recommendations in Equity Commission Final Report A number of the commission’s recommendations involve state and county-level government action and policy.
USDA Awards $300 Million to 66 Organizations to Expand Agricultural Exports The awards, funded by the Commodity Credit Corporation, are under the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program.
ENVIRONMENT
EPA Releases 2022 Clean Watersheds Needs Survey Findings and Report to Congress The 2022 survey reports on wastewater, stormwater, and other clean water infrastructure needs. The report and related materials, including a data dashboard showing results at the state level, are available here. Additional information is here. EPA will host a webinar on the survey’s findings on May 30, 2:00 p.m. ET (register).
EPA Issues Final Rule to Make Annual Drinking Water Quality Reports More Understandable and Accessible to the Public Among other changes, the rule requires states to submit annual compliance monitoring data to EPA, which will inform decisions on oversight, enforcement, regulatory revisions, and training and technical assistance. It is effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.
EPA Schedules Second Webinar on Recent Revisions to Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule It will be held on May 30, 2:30 p.m. ET (registration available through the link in heading).
HEALTH
HHS Releases National Strategy to Improve Maternal Mental Health Care The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) strategy includes five pillars: building a national infrastructure that prioritizes perinatal mental health and well-being, with a focus on reducing disparities; making care and services accessible, affordable, and equitable; using data and research to improve outcomes and accountability; promoting prevention and engaging, educating, and partnering with communities; and lifting up the voices of people with lived experience.
HHS Compiles List of Agency Actions to Improve Mental Health
HHS Office of Inspector General Releases Report on Collecting Additional Medicaid Rebates The report finds that state agencies could be obtaining hundreds of millions of dollars in additional Medicaid rebates associated with physician-administered drugs.
HRSA Awards $15 Million for Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Programs The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced FY 2024 awards, which are provided to states and territories.
HRSA Plans to Release $55 Million to Health Center Grantees The funds will be provided to all health centers in June to prepare for and implement programs and technologies to ensure high-quality, patient-level data submissions as part of the modernization of the Uniform Data System (UDS+).
Drug Overdose Deaths Decline for the First Time Since 2018 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data show a decrease in drug overdose deaths from December 2022 to December 2023.
CDC Unveils Newly Revamped Website
HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Releases Guidance on New Eligibility Provisions for Head Start ACF released guidance on provisions in the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, to serve more children in tribal communities and children of agricultural workers.
IRS Releases Statement on Child Support Payments to States, Tribes The statement clarifies that tribal access to federal tax payment offsets through arrangements with states has not changed. In addition, the IRS is working with Congress on potential legislative changes to provide additional flexibilities to help states and tribes.
HOMELAND SECURITY
FEMA Issues Correction to FY 2024 Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG) NOFO The correction makes it clear that state/territorial governmental entities other than direct recipients are eligible subrecipients of grant funding.
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Seeks Comment on Proposed Information Collection for Critical Infrastructure Security Assessments The collection would require owners and operators of critical infrastructure to complete a questionnaire before CISA can perform certain security assessments. Comments are due by July 22.
HOUSING
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Awards Nearly $40 Million in Housing Counseling Assistance A list of recipients by state is here.
HUD to Propose Rulemaking for HOME A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking will seek to streamline regulations for the HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME), better align funding with other federal housing resources, reduce administrative burdens, improve assistance and protections for renters, strengthen the use of HOME for homeownership activities, and encourage green and climate resilient building practices. Comments will be accepted for 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.
HUD Announces $1.1 Billion for Tribal Housing and Community Development
HUD Announces $30 Billion in Renewal Funding for Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program A list of recipients is here.
HUD Issues Procedural Guidance for FY 2024 Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) Permanent Supportive Housing Renewal and Replacement Grant Applications
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
National Endowment for Arts (NEA) Announces Second Round of Grants for FY 2024 More than $110 million was announced under three funding categories: Grants for Arts Projects, Our Town, and State and Regional Partnerships. A list of awards by state is here.
JUSTICE
Department of Justice Proposes Transfer of Marijuana to Schedule III of Controlled Substances Act Comments are due July 22.
LABOR
Department of Labor (DOL) Makes Available $12 Million for Second Round of Critical Sectors Job Quality Grants These grants are intended to expand job quality in the care, climate resiliency, and hospitality sectors through labor-management partnerships. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, workforce development boards, IHEs, and labor unions, among others. Applications are due July 1.
DOL Announces $35 Million Available for Second Round of Building Pathways to Infrastructure Jobs Grants Funded by visa fees, these grants are open to state and local governments, workforce development boards, IHEs, nonprofits, and labor unions, among others. Applications are due June 14.
NUTRITION
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Awards School Food Grants, Opens Applications for Others The agency announced the first round of awards for the School Food Systems Transformation Challenge grants as well as allocations and guidance for equipment assistance grants, and opened applications for Team Nutrition grants (applications close July 16) and food safety training grants (applications close July 12).
FNS Posts Initial Implementation Memorandum for Recent Child Nutrition Meal Patterns Rule
FNS Posts Memo on Effects of FY 2024 Appropriations Act on Child Nutrition Programs Among other things, the memo discusses milk, sodium, and paid lunch equity requirements.
FNS Posts Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Guidance The guidance was published in July 2014.
FNS Posts Video of April 18 Information Session on Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Program Application
FNS Announces FY 2025 Allocation of Funds to State Agencies for Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program