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). Updated allocations are provided for:
- Airport Infrastructure Grants (FY 2024 competitive Contract Tower Program awards)
- Rural e-Connectivity (ReConnect) Broadband Pilot (Alaska, Oklahoma, South Dakota)
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 Selects Five Projects to Receive up to $475 Million Through Clean Energy Demonstration Program on Current and Former Mine Lands The projects selected for award negotiation are led by private entities in Arizona, Kentucky, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
DOE Announces Availability of $180 Million Through Second Round of Renew America’s Schools Grant Program The Renew America’s Schools Prize will invest in school facilities that demonstrate the need for both energy improvements and financing, with a focus on schools that serve disadvantaged communities, including those with a high percentage of students eligible for free and reduced-price lunch, and/or which qualify as rural. Each Phase 1 winner will earn a cash prize of $300,000 and move on to Phases 2 and 3. Awards made in Phases 2 and 3 will vary by portfolio size but could range from $7.5 million to $15 million. Applications are due June 13.
ENVIRONMENT
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Makes Nearly $24 Million Available Through Pollution Prevention (P2) Program, Including $13.9 Million from IIJA The funding is available through two separate announcements (IIJA funding; annual appropriations). The program provides funds to eligible entities to provide technical assistance to businesses to encourage pollution reduction/prevention practices. IIJA funds do not require a non-federal cost share. Applications for both opportunities are due May 17.
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Announces Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Reimbursement Rate Estimates for May 2024 Barring additional funding from Congress—which was not included in the recently passed FY 2024 appropriations bills—the program will not be able to reimburse providers for the full statutory benefit amount for May, and providers are not required to pass through benefits to ACP households after April.
INTERIOR
Department of the Interior (DOI) Invests Nearly $11 Million in Landscape-Scale Restoration Projects on Federal and Tribal Lands A complete list of projects is here.
Bureau of Reclamation Invests $5.5 Million to Repair Dams in California and Montana
TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Awards $20 Million Through FY 2024 Contract Tower Program The program is a competitive set-aside of Airport Infrastructure Grants. A list of awards is here.
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Establishes Metrics for Evaluating Effectiveness of Projects Under Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Competitive Grant Program Comments are due May 20.
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. No new or updated allocations are provided this week.
ENERGY
DOE Selects 33 Projects to Receive up to $6 Billion to Accelerate Commercial-Scale Demonstration of Emerging Industrial Decarbonization Technologies The funding includes nearly $490 million from the IIJA for industrial emissions demonstration projects and $5.47 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) for the Advanced Industrial Facilities Deployment Program. A list of projects selected for award negotiation is here.
HEALTH
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Announces Savings for 41 Prescription Drugs from IRA’s Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program HHS announced the drugs available through Medicare Part B that will have a lower coinsurance rate from April 1-June 30, 2024, if prices rise faster than the rate of inflation.
TREASURY
Treasury Releases Additional Guidance for Energy Community Bonus Credit Amounts Under the IRA Developers can receive a bonus of up to 10 percentage points on top of the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and an increase of 10% for the Production Tax Credit (PTC). The energy community bonus for the ITC and PTC is available to developers that locate projects in historical energy communities.
Treasury Announces that More than 500 Entities Have Registered 45,500 Projects for New Elective Pay and Transferability Credit Monetization Provisions of IRA
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. New or updated awards are provided for:
- Manufacturing Incentives Awards (Intel)
Department of Commerce (DOC) Announces Preliminary Agreement with Intel for $8.5 Billion to Support Semiconductor Manufacturing The projects to be supported are in Arizona, New Mexico, Ohio, and Oregon. In addition to $8.5 billion in direct funding, the agreement will make available up to $11 billion in loans to the company.
CHIPS National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program Announces Advanced Packaging Summit The hybrid virtual and in-person event will be held April 18 and 19 in Moffett Field, California.
CORONAVIRUS
Download COVID-19 State Allocations Spreadsheet Updated allocations are provided for:
- Child Nutrition/National School Lunch Program (CARES Act) – West Virginia
EDUCATION
Department of Education (ED) Updates COVID Materials Updates include:
- Links to state maintenance of equity materials for American Rescue Plan (ARP) Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER)
- Guidance on recording and reporting requirements and how they apply to the use of federal funds to improve facilities, including school buildings
- Newsflash for February 12, February 20, February 26, March 4, March 11, and March 18, with recent communications, upcoming deadlines, and other resources
HUMAN SERVICES
ACF Releases Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) Water Utility Affordability Survey Report The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) report provides an analysis of a large-scale survey documenting rates, arrears, disconnections, and fees in one dataset.
TREASURY
Treasury Updates Compliance and Reporting Guidance for Capital Projects Fund (CPF) Per the revision log, changes were made to reflect program income reporting requirements for non-broadband infrastructure projects and additional guidance was provided on program income generated by non-broadband infrastructure projects.
Homeowner Assistance Fund’s (HAF’s) Success Attributed to Lessons Learned in Great Recession Treasury cites the lessons learned from the Hardest Hit Fund (HHF), established in 2010.
Treasury Updates State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) FAQs The date listed after each question indicates when it was added or most recently amended.
Treasury Updates SSBCI Small Business Opportunity Program (SBOP) FAQs The date listed after each question indicates when it was added or most recently amended.
OTHER NEWS
BUDGET UPDATE
FY 2024 Budget Process Completed Congress has approved and the president has signed a second omnibus appropriations bill, which completes the FY 2024 budget process. FFIS has released its Jim Martin Table (with revised FY 2025 figures for the Community Development Block Grant [CDBG]) and its VIP Series, with initial state estimates for selected grants under the enacted FY 2024 budget and the president’s proposed FY 2025 budget.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
House Energy and Commerce Committee Approves Several Bipartisan Health Bills The committee approved bills to reauthorize several health programs—including Lifespan Respite Care (H.R. 6160), Emergency Medical Services for Children (H.R. 6960), Poison Control Centers (H.R. 7251), and Traumatic Brain Injury (H.R. 7208)—through FY 2029.
GENERAL
OMB Requests Information on Advancing Public Participation and Community Engagement with the Federal Government The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) seeks input from an array of sectors (including state governments) on participating in engagement activities with government agencies; leading practices in this space; and other recommendations on available methods, approaches, and tools that could assist in developing and implementing a framework for participation and engagement. Comments are due by May 17.
DOE and HHS Launch Clean Energy Connector Pilot The Clean Energy Connector tool is software that can be used by Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) administrators in Illinois, the District of Columbia, and New Mexico to connect community solar subscriptions to as many as 40,000 households with low incomes.
COMMERCE
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Launches New Permitting Tool The new map tool allows users to identify permit requirements and avoid potential environmental impacts when deploying broadband.
EDUCATION
Administration Approves Additional $5.8 Billion in Student Debt Relief for 78,000 Public Service Workers The approvals are the result of changes made to Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). State figures are provided in the press release.
ED Releases Two Videos Addressing Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
- Improving Results for Infants, Toddlers, and Children with Disabilities by Ensuring IDEA Compliance
- Leveraging Technical Assistance Centers to Support States’ Strong General Supervision Systems
Dear Colleague Letter Addresses Chronic Absenteeism The letter asks each state to commit to three key actions:
- Support schools in increasing attendance through the state’s Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) consolidated state plan.
- Access ED’s resources and training to promote regular school attendance—and encourage local educational agencies (LEAs) to do the same.
- Redouble efforts to invest remaining ARP funds in evidence-based strategies for improving regular school attendance.
ED Issues FAQs on Implementation of “Retention with the Same Employer” Performance Indicator Under Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
ED Initiates Evaluation of Full-Service Community Schools The program supports partnerships to help schools provide coordinated and integrated wraparound services to students and families, particularly in high-poverty schools. The study will be the first implementation evaluation of the program. Comments close April 24.
ENERGY
DOE Issues Pre-Solicitation Notice for Funding and Technical Assistance to Support Community-Led Clean Energy Transitions DOE intends to release a request for proposals (RFP) to support 2-4 communities in developing tailored, actionable decarbonization strategies. Teams of local governments, electric utilities, and community-based organizations can prepare to apply for a multi-year partnership with experts from DOE’s national laboratory. The RFP is expected to open April 1 and close June 14.
DOE Awards $34 Million to Advance Renewable Energy Grid Integration Tools
DOE Selects Second Cohort of Communities to Receive Technical Assistance for Clean Energy Action Plans
DOE Releases Atlantic Offshore Wind Transmission Study
DOE Releases Pathways to Commercial Liftoff: Next-Generation Geothermal Power Report
ENVIRONMENT
EPA Issues Letter to Governors on Water Sector Cybersecurity Concerns The letter includes links to resources from various federal agencies to help water systems reduce risk and improve protections against malicious actors.
EPA Issues Final Rule on Emissions Standards for Model Years 2027 and Later for Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles An unpublished version of the rule and supporting documents are available here; the rule is effective 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.
EPA Issues Final Rule Requiring Certain Facilities to Develop Response Plans for Worst-Case Discharge of Clean Water Act (CWA) Hazardous Substances The rule, which is available here, will be effective 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.
EPA Releases 2023 Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Annual Report
EPA Selects 10 Communities to Receive Technical Assistance Through Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities Program EPA and local communities will pursue development strategies that expand on existing Brownfields efforts and advance clean air, clean water, equitable development, and other local goals.
HEALTH
HHS Secretary Renews Public Health Emergency (PHE) for Opioid Crisis The PHE has been in effect since 2017.
White House Hosting Webinar on Challenge to Save Lives from Overdose The administration launched the Challenge earlier this month as a nationwide call-to-action for organizations and businesses to increase training on and access to life-saving opioid overdose reversal medications. The webinar is March 27, 11:15 a.m. ET. Register here.
HHS Releases Affordable Care Act (ACA) Enrollment Data HHS released three reports highlighting current enrollment trends (including state estimates), enrollment trends by race and ethnicity, and how ACA Marketplaces have evolved during the first 10 years.
Federal Office of Rural Health Policy Announces 2024 Preview Webinar The webinar will preview anticipated funding opportunities and other activities for the year. It will be held April 3, 3:00 p.m. ET. Register at the link above.
HUMAN SERVICES
ACF Report Shows Consistent Decrease in Children in Foster Care ACF released Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) data for FY 2022. The report shows the number of children in foster care has decreased for the fourth consecutive year. Trends in foster care and adoption from FY 2013 – FY 2022 and the state dataset are available here.
ACF Announces Availability of FY 2024 Children’s Justice Act Grants ACF provided tentative state allocations, eligibility requirements, and grant application procedures.
ACF Provides Details on FY 2024 Community-Based Grants for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect Program ACF provided guidance and instructions for the application and annual reports, as well as tentative allocations.
ACF Releases Preschool Development Grant Report to Congress The report highlights grant activities between January 2019 and December 2021.
ACF Posts FY 2025-2027 Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Plan for States and Territories The release includes guidance for submitting the plan.
ACF Provides Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) Rates in FY 2024 and FY 2025 for State Child Support Agencies The rates are used for Title IV-A collections.
ACF Posts Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Annual Report Toolkit The toolkit provides links to communications, forms, guidance, and webinars to aid in the submission of the annual report.
ACF Revises State Plan Template for Grants to States and Replacement Designees for Refugee Resettlement The guidance outlines changes and provides information for submitting the plan.
ACL Announces Older Americans Act Webinar on Fiscal Policies and Procedures The Administration for Community Living (ACL) webinar will be held April 4, 2:00 p.m. ET. Register here.
ACL Seeks Input on Priorities for Elder Justice Coordinating Council Comments are due April 24.
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) Publishes Connect America Fund (CAF) Compliance Process Report CAF supports the deployment of broadband service to unserved and underserved rural communities.
JUSTICE
Department of Justice Launches National Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) Resource Center The center will provide training and technical assistance to agencies implementing ERPOs and to other stakeholders. More information and resources are available on its website.
Office on Violence Against Women Posts Pre-Application Webinar for Transitional Housing Program
LABOR
Department of Labor (DOL) Introduces Competitive Integrated Employment Transformation Hub Among many other resources, the hub provides information for state agencies on funding options.
DOL Issues Corrected Funding Allotments for Unemployment Insurance (UI) Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) Grants The initial table, published in February, reflected calculation errors in the formula’s hold-harmless provision.
DOL Alerts WIOA Grantees of Implementation Timelines for Recent Final Rule on Effectiveness in Serving Employers Primary Indicator of Performance
NUTRITION
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Posts Webinar on Proposed Rule Regarding Serious Deficiency Process in Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) The comment period for the proposed rule closes May 21.
FNS Publishes Toolkit for State Use of Non-merit Personnel in Administration of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) The agency also posted a memo to accompany the toolkit.
FNS Posts Guidance on Paid Lunch Equity Requirements for School Year 2024-2025
FNS Transmits 2024-2025 Income Eligibility Guidelines
- Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
The guidelines are effective from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.
TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Proposes Minimum Safety Standards for Rail Transit Roadway Worker Protection Comments are due May 24.
FHWA Seeks Comment on New Information Collection Regarding Crashworthiness of Roadside Safety Hardware Comments are due May 21.