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). No new allocations are provided this week.
GENERAL
Administration Releases Resources to Celebrate Two-Year Anniversary of the IIJA
ENERGY
Department of Energy (DOE) Makes $3.5 Billion Available for Battery Materials Processing and Battery Manufacturing Awards will support expansion of domestic battery manufacturing. Concept papers are due January 9, 2024, and full applications are due March 19, 2024.
DOE Distributes More Than $31 Million Through Second Tranche Under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program The formula awards were issued to 19 state, local, and territorial governments.
DOE Announces Second Round Awards of $444 Million Through Carbon Storage Validation and Testing Program DOE selected 16 projects for negotiation, including nine for testing the feasibility of carbon dioxide storage complexes and seven for site characterization and permitting of such facilities. A description of selected projects is here.
DOE Awards $40.8 Million for 17 New Industrial Assessment Centers (IACs) and 10 Building Training and Assessment Centers (BTAC) Selectees will deliver technical assistance and conduct assessments at small- and medium-sized manufacturer (SMMs) and commercial and institutional buildings. They will also provide training and learning opportunities for students, union apprentices, and current energy workers. A detailed list of selected projects is here.
DOE Announces Availability of $3.9 Billion Through Second Round of Grid Resilience and Innovative Partnership (GRIP) Program The funding opportunity focuses on projects to improve electric transmission by increasing funding and advancing interconnection processes for energy projects, create solutions that link grid communications systems and operations to increase resilience and reduce power outages and threats, and deploy advanced technologies such as distributed energy resources and battery systems to provide essential grid services. Concept papers are due January 12, 2024, and full applications are due April 17, 2024.
ENVIRONMENT
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Announces Awards of More Than $90 Million for Recycling Grants EPA awarded more than $60 million for tribes and intertribal consortia through the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grant program and more than $33 million for 25 selectees through the Recycling Education and Outreach (REO) grant program. A list of selectees under both programs is available here; no funding detail is provided.
EPA Requests Information on Domestic Supply of Products Used in Water Infrastructure Projects Subject to Build America, Buy America Act (BABA) The information will support efforts to catalyze domestic manufacturing and jobs and support resilient supply chains to successfully deliver a wide range of water infrastructure products and projects. Comments are due December 30. EPA will host a webinar on the Request for Information (RFI) November 21, 1:00 p.m. ET (register).
EPA Updates Clean School Bus Rebate Program 2023 FAQs
HOMELAND SECURITY
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Announces Availability of $300 Million Through Second Round of Swift Current Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Program This sub-program aims to speed up the award of FMA funding to reduce the damage-repair cycle of repetitively flooded or substantially damaged properties. Applicants must meet certain criteria related to recent flooding events to be eligible. Applications are due January 15, 2025. Additional information is here.
FEMA Posts Webinar Recordings on FY 2023 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) and FMA Funding Opportunity
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Adopts Rules to Prevent Broadband Access Discrimination The rules implement provisions of the IIJA and aim to prevent discrimination based on income level, race, ethnicity, color, religion, or national origin. The commission also posted a fact sheet on the new rules.
INTERIOR
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and Partners Award $141.3 Million for 74 Projects Through America the Beautiful Challenge A list of awards, which include IIJA funds in unspecified amounts, is here.
Bureau of Reclamation Announces Availability of $50 Million for FY 2024 WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants Applications are due February 22, 2024.
Department of the Interior (DOI) Awards $51 Million for 30 Environmental Water Resource Projects
DOI Releases Orphaned Wells Program 2023 Report to Congress
TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Awards $34 Million for 10 Grants Through the Advanced Digital Construction Management Systems (ADCMS) Grant Program The awards are for FYs 2022 and 2023.
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to Co-Host Webinar on Working with Utilities During the Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles It will be held November 29, 2:00 p.m. ET (register at the link above).
FTA Announces Availability of $4.7 Million for Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility (ICAM) Pilot Program The program supports capital projects for the transportation-disadvantaged, with the goal to improve the coordination of transportation services and non-emergency medical transportation services. Applications are due February 13, 2024. FTA will host a webinar on the funding opportunity December 14, 3:00 p.m. ET (registration not required; join through the link at the bottom of this page).
FTA Proposes Revisions to State Safety Oversight (SSO) Regulations to Implement Changes Made by IIJA The proposed changes included ensuring that SSO agencies (SSOAs) have the authority to enter rail transit facilities without prior notice to perform safety inspections, requiring SSOAs to collect safety data from the rail transit systems they oversee, and developing and implementing risk-based inspection programs. Comments are due January 16, 2024.
FTA Posts Recording and Presentation from Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program (PTSCTP) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) Webinar Per changes made by the IIJA, the NPRM would streamline the PTSCTP communication process and clarify voluntary PTSCTP participation and refresher training requirements.
FTA to Host Listening Session on Transit Worker Hours of Service and Fatigue Risk Management Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) It will be held December 5, 2:30 p.m. ET (register at the link above). The ANPR is available here.
TREASURY
Treasury Analysis Finds IIJA is Spurring Surge in Infrastructure Investments Full text of the analysis is here.
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. No new allocations are provided this week.
ENERGY
DOE Selects Nine Projects to Receive up to $169 Million to Expand Electric Heat Pump Manufacturing DOE is making the investment through Defense Production Act (DPA) funding in the IRA.
ENVIRONMENT
EPA Makes $14.25 Million Available for Competitive Grants to Reclaim and Destroy Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) The IRA appropriated $15 million for competitive grants to advance reclaim and innovative destruction technologies for HFCs through authorities under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act. EPA anticipates making four to nine awards to eligible applicants for projects that would reduce HFC emissions and increase reclaimed HFCs through new and improved technologies and strategies. Applications are due February 16, 2024. EPA will host a webinar on the opportunity December 7, 1:00 p.m. ET (register). Additional information is available here.
EPA Awards $8.8 Million Direct Grant for Measuring Wood Heater Pollution The award was issued to Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) and a nationwide network of partner air agencies, including in Alaska, Washington, and Idaho.
TREASURY
Treasury, IRS Propose New Rules to Drive Clean Energy Investments Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released proposed rules governing the Investment Tax Credit (ITC), to spur investment under the IRA. Comments are due 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.
CORONAVIRUS
FFIS Updates COVID-19 State Allocations Spreadsheet New or updated figures are provided for:
- FEMA Public Assistance
- Child Nutrition Emergency Operational Costs Reimbursements (Virginia)
GENERAL
Government Accountability Office (GAO) Issues Report on State Experiences with COVID Relief Funds GAO worked with budget staff in eight states to identify issues and challenges that might inform future relief efforts.
EDUCATION
Department of Education (ED) Updates COVID Materials Updates include:
- Civil rights data on students’ access to educational opportunities during the pandemic
- American Rescue Plan (ARP) Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) maintenance of equity materials
- Status of state maintenance of effort waiver requests
- ESSER I/ESSER II/ARP ESSER Recipient Data Collection Form
- Summary of key differences between ESSER FY 2023 reporting and ESSER FY 2022 reporting
- November 6 and November 13 Newsflash, with recent communications, upcoming deadlines, and other resources
HEALTH
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Establishes Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Long COVID The committee will make recommendations on research and innovation.
HUMAN SERVICES
ACF Releases Updated State and Territory Fact Sheets on ARP Child Care Stabilization Funding The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) fact sheets include data for the ARP’s Child Care Stabilization Program, through June 30, 2023.
TREASURY
Treasury Approves Washington, D.C.’s Plan for Funding Under ARP’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)
Treasury Posts State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) Obligation Interim Final Rule (IFR) Slides The slides provide an introduction and summary of the 2023 Obligation Interim Final Rule, which became effective November 20.
Treasury Releases Economic Recovery Learning Agenda The agenda is designed to identify research questions to understand the impact of domestic economic recovery programs.
Treasury Awards Second Round of SSBCI Technical Assistance Grants The department approved 20 grants totaling more than $50.8 million to provide legal, accounting, and financial advisory services to eligible small businesses applying for the SSBCI capital program and other government small business programs. A list and description of awards by state is here.
OTHER NEWS
BUDGET UPDATE
Second Continuing Resolution (CR) Features Staggered Expiration Dates The enacted CR (H.R. 6363) extends funding for some agencies through January 19 and others through February 2. It also includes a one-year extension of the 2018 farm bill. See FFIS Budget Brief 23-24 for more information.
GENERAL
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Updates Government-Wide Circulars Related to Regulatory Analyses OMB updated Circular A-4, which is intended to aid agencies in their analysis of the benefits and costs of regulations. The revisions will help ensure that agencies analyze the consequences of regulations using the most up-to-date economic and scientific understandings. OMB also updated Circular A-94, which provides guidance on benefit-cost analysis in the context of federal investments.
GAO Publishes Report on Cybersecurity Grant Programs for State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Governments The report highlights 27 grant programs managed by eight federal agencies that can be used for cybersecurity investments but are not specifically intended to fund these activities.
AGRICULTURE
Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Economic Research Service Releases 2023 Rural America at a Glance Report
USDA Awards $28 Million to Support Beginning Farmers and Ranchers A detailed award list is here. Recipients include institutions of higher education, nonprofits, and local development boards.
EDUCATION
Administration Launches “Being Bilingual is a Superpower” to Promote Multilingual Education As part of its “Raise the Bar: Create Pathways for Global Engagement” initiative, ED will promote multilingual education and bolster high-quality language programs.
Policy Letter Provides Technical Guidance on Implementing Innovative Assessment Demonstration Authority (IADA) Among other things, the materials lift the cap on IADA to signal that ED is open to hearing from as many states as have interest in implementing the assessment. New guidance (available at the above link) clarifies existing authorities, outlines how they will support innovation and quality, and provides states with room to pilot and adopt innovative approaches.
ED Requests Comments on Entry Evidence and Evaluation & Exit Evidence Forms ED will use the information request forms for discretionary grant programs that use the standard ED 524–B Grant Performance Report form. Comments close January 16, 2024.
ED Requests Comment on Charter Online Management and Performance System (COMPS) Developer Grant Profiles ED is requesting authorization to collect data from Charter School Program grantees through a new online platform. Comments close December 20.
ENERGY
DOE Opens Program Year (PY) 2024 Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) Application Period Applications are due February 9 or May 3, 2024, depending on the PY end date.
DOE Proposes New and Revised Categorical Exclusions for Certain Energy Projects Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) would add a categorical exclusion for certain energy storage systems and revise categorical exclusions for upgrading and rebuilding transmission lines and for solar photovoltaic systems, as well as make conforming changes to related sections of DOE’s NEPA regulations. Comments are due January 2, 2024.
DOE Selects Five Teams to Receive $10,000 Cash Prize Under 2023 American-Made Sunny Awards for Equitable Community Solar
DOE Selects 13 Enhanced Geothermal Research Projects to Receive up to $44 Million
DOE Awards $2.7 Million for Six Wind Energy Safety Research Projects Details on the selected projects are available here.
ENVIRONMENT
EPA to Host Webinar on Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Loans to State Infrastructure Financing Authorities It will be held November 28, 2:00 p.m. ET (register at the link above).
EPA to Host WIFIA Office Hours Series The sessions are open forums for participants to ask questions about WIFIA, the application process, and more. They will be held at 3:00 p.m. ET on the following dates:
- December 13 (register)
- January 10, 2024 (register)
- February 14, 2024 (register)
- March 13, 2024 (register)
EPA Announces WIFIA Loans in Nebraska and Michigan
Administration Releases Fifth National Climate Assessment A series of webinars will be held to cover different aspects of the assessment from November 27 through March 15.
U.S. Geological Survey Seeks Comment on Information Collection Regarding Use of Water Resources Comments will be accepted through January 16, 2024.
EPA Seeks Comment on Draft Technical Guidance for Assessing Environmental Justice in Regulatory Analysis Comments will be accepted through January 15, 2024. EPA is hosting two Informational webinars on the draft guidance on December 6, 2:30 p.m. ET, and December 12, 3:00 p.m. ET. Links to join are available here.
EPA Posts Final Rule Regarding State Implementation Plans for Clean Air Act New Source Performance Standards for Existing Sources The rule takes effect December 18.
EPA Seeks Input Regarding Reporting of Animal Waste Air Emissions Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) The agency is soliciting comments under five categories: health impacts; implementation challenges; costs and benefits; small farm definition and potential reporting exemption; and national report on animal waste air emissions. Comments will be accepted through February 15, 2024.
EPA Seeks Comment on Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) for Proposed New Source Performance Standards for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New, Modified, and Reconstructed Fossil Fuel-Fired Electric Generating Units The agency also seeks comment on mechanisms to address potential reliability issues with respect to both the above-mentioned proposed standards and those proposed for existing units. Comments will be accepted through December 20.
HEALTH
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Posts FY 2023 Improper Payment Fact Sheet The fact sheet reports improper payment rates for CMS programs including Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The improper payment rates for Medicaid and CHIP declined significantly in FY 2023. In addition, most resulted from insufficient documentation, which is generally not indicative of fraud or abuse.
CMS Releases Final Rule to Increase Nursing Home Transparency The final rule requires nursing homes to disclose additional ownership and management information to CMS and states and makes this information public.
CMS Releases Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2025 In addition to proposed standards for issuers and marketplaces, the proposed rule includes several changes that affect Medicaid and CHIP, including expanding access and use of income data and providing greater flexibility for states to adopt income and/or resource disregards in determining eligibility for certain Medicaid individuals. A fact sheet outlining the changes is here.
CMS Posts 2024 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Spousal Impoverishment Standards, Medicare Savings Program Resources
HHS Releases Resources to Address Social Determinants of Health To accompany the administration’s released of the U.S. Playbook to Address Social Determinants of Health, HHS released a call to action and a Medicaid and CHIP Health-Related Social Needs Framework. CMS also released an informational bulletin, which discusses coverage of services and supports in Medicaid and CHIP.
HHS Announces New Plan to Address Language Barriers The plan sets forth guidance, best practices, and action steps for HHS divisions to develop their own, agency-specific language access plans.
HHS Publishes Final FY 2025 FMAPs The Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) is used to determine federal funding for Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Contingency Funds, Child Support collections, Child Care Mandatory and Matching Funds of the Child Care and Development Fund, Title IV–E Foster Care Maintenance payments, Adoption Assistance payments and Kinship Guardianship Assistance payments, and CHIP. The FMAPs were also reported in FFIS Issue Brief 23-12.
HUMAN SERVICES
ACF Proposes New Rule to Strengthen Head Start Workforce and Support Quality Programming The proposed rule would:
- Increase wages to align with preschool teachers in public school settings
- Improve benefits
- Ensure better integration of mental health supports in program services
- Improve child health and safety
- Improve family engagement services
- Modernize the processes for programs to identify and meet community needs
Comments are due January 19.
ACF Posts Slides from Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) and Title IV-E Prevention Services Data Open Office Hours ACF discussed updates to the National Child Welfare Data Management Systems, revised technical bulletins, and observations from state data submissions.
ACF Posts Guidance on Interagency Collaboration Between Child Welfare and Education Agencies ACF reminded states of the school enrollment and educational stability requirements for students in foster care.
ACF Provides TANF Report, Instructions The ACF-199 and ACF-209 reports are effective for FY 2024 and beyond.
ACF Provides TANF Caseload Reduction Report The agency is transmitting the renewed form and instructions for completing it.
ACF Provides Information on Refugee Data Submission System for FY 2023 The data collection is used for allocating FY 2024 funding under the Refugee Support Services program and to analyze service data.
ACF Seeks Assistance with Timely Placement of Unaccompanied Children into the Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Program The letter outlines possible state actions.
ACF Seeks Comment on Information Collection Regarding Role of Head Start in Early Care and Education Financing Landscape, Effects of Use of Multiple Funding Sources Within a Single Head Start Program Comments will be accepted for 30 days after publication.
ACF Issues Book of Tables on Key Cross-State Variations in Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Policies as of October 1, 2022 The report describes the ways in which policies vary within the context of federal program requirements and includes dozens of detailed tables showing each state’s/territory’s policy choices. A companion report provides a graphical overview of some of the policy differences.
HOUSING
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Issues Small Area Fair Market Rent Implementation Guidance for FY 2024 Designated Metropolitan Areas
Office of Inspector General (OIG) Identifies Top Management Challenges Facing HUD in FY 2024
HUD Posts Updated Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Achievement Metrics Score The notice describes updates that HUD has implemented to track the performance of public housing agencies (PHAs) that receive Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program coordinator grants and that were brought onto the Moving to Work (MTW) Demonstration after December 15, 2015.
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
Election Assistance Commission Requests Comment on 2024 Election Administration and Voting Survey (EAVS) The 2024 EAVS asks election officials questions concerning voting and election administration. Comments close January 15, 2024.
FCC Finalizes Rules Enhancing Privacy and Connectivity for Domestic Violence Survivors The rules implement provisions in the Safe Connections Act of 2022 facilitating line separation from family plans and providing for emergency support for voice and broadband services for those in financial hardship, among other things.
FCC Introduces Third Iteration of National Broadband Map Locations lacking access to high-speed broadband have dropped from 8.3 million in May to 7.2 million now.
LABOR
Department of Labor (DOL) Selects 12 States, District of Columbia to Participate in National Expansion of Employment Opportunities Network Initiative The initiative aims to increase competitive integrated employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Government agencies in the selected states will receive consulting, capacity-building support, and ongoing mentoring.
DOL Posts Initial FY 2024 Funding Allotments, New Guidance for Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) Program The first memo provides allotments for state workforce agencies based on the first FY 2024 continuing resolution, through November 17. The updated procedural guidance applies to the WOTC certification process. The new guidance takes effect three months after its November 20 issuance date.
NUTRITION
TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Reopens Comment Period on Planned Re-Envisioning of the Emergency Medical Services Education Agenda for the Future: A Systems Approach Comments will now be accepted through March 31, 2024.
NHTSA Requests Comment on Nondiscrimination Guidelines for Financial Assistance Recipients Comments will be accepted through January 16.
FHWA Issues New Information Collection for Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Regulations for Federal and Federally Assisted Programs Federal law prohibits the provision of relocation assistance and payments to persons not legally present in the United States. The information collected consists of a certification of residency status from affected persons to establish eligibility for relocation assistance and payments. Comments on the information collection are due January 19, 2024.
Department of Transportation (DOT) Awards $3.4 Million for 13 Grants Through the New Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program