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 allocations are provided for:

• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (FY 2024, new)
• Affordable Connectivity Program
• Underground Injection Control Grants: Class VI Wells (actual allocations)
• Port Infrastructure Development (FY 2023 awards)
• Rural e-Connectivity (ReConnect) Broadband Pilot

 

AGRICULTURE

Department of Agriculture (USDA) Awards Fourth Tranche of Round 4 ReConnect Funding The program provides loans and grants for the cost of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide rural broadband. A list of awards is here.
 

COMMERCE

National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Posts Letter of Credit Waiver for BEAD Program Under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, prospective subgrantees must generally provide letters of credit to states amounting to 25% of their subawards before entering into funding agreements. The waiver modifies this requirement by providing alternatives and flexibility. More information is available in an accompanying blog post.
 

ENERGY

Department of Energy (DOE) Announces Availability of $70 Million for Sustainable Energy Resources for Consumers (SERC) Grants Under the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) The program provides funds for the installation of renewable energy systems and other technologies/solutions not covered by WAP formula grants. Applications are due February 16, 2024.
 
DOE Enters into Capacity Contract Negotiations for Three Projects Through Transmission Facilitation Program DOE announced a commitment of up to $1.3 billion through capacity contracts, through which DOE will purchase a percentage of total proposed capacity of the transmission lines.
 
DOE Releases Final National Transmission Needs Study The study is an assessment of existing data and current and near-term future transmission needs through 2040. DOE will host a webinar to provide an overview of the findings on November 8, 1:00 p.m. ET (registration required; see webinar link above).
 

ENVIRONMENT

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Allocates $48 Million to States and Tribes to Develop and Implement Underground Injection Control (UIC) Class VI Programs The IIJA appropriated $50 million for these grants, which support UIC programs to ensure that groundwater resources are protected while supporting the permanent sequestration of carbon dioxide (CO2). Allocations to 23 states and two tribes are available here, and additional information is here.
 
EPA Provides More Than $3 Million for 14 Projects in Massachusetts Coastal Communities The awards include roughly $1 million from the IIJA; remaining funds are from annual appropriations.
 
EPA Announces $17 Million to Clean Up Milwaukee Rivers and Lake Michigan The funds are from IIJA appropriations for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
 
EPA Announces Partnerships to Accelerate Lead Service Line Replacement in Wisconsin and New Jersey The partnerships are part of EPA’s Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerators Initiative and will provide targeted technical assistance services to help underserved communities reduce exposure to lead in drinking water.
 

HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Opens Applications for More Than $211 Million in Grants for Dams

• FY 2024 National Dam Safety Program (NDSP) State Assistance Grants ($26 million): Provides assistance to encourage the establishment and maintenance of effective state programs intended to ensure dam safety, protect human life and property, and improve state dam safety programs. Applications due February 29, 2024.
• FY 2024 Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams (HHPD; $185 million): Awards funds to eligible states for pass-through to governmental or nonprofit organizations for the rehabilitation of eligible high hazard potential dams that fail to meet minimum state dam safety standards and pose unacceptable risk to life and property. Applications due February 29, 2024.

 

HOUSING

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Issues Build America, Buy America Guidance The notice provides initial implementation guidance for programs administered by HUD’s Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD) for the Buy America Preference (BAP) under the IIJA.
 

INTERIOR

United States Geological Survey (USGS) Announces Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) Investment of $3.1 Million in Arizona
 

TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration (MARAD) Awards $653 Million in Port Infrastructure Development Program Grants for 41 Projects A full list of awards is here.
 
Department of Transportation (DOT) Issues Second Comment Period Extension for Proposed Electric Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey (eVIUS) Comments on the proposed information collection will now be accepted through December 6.
 
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Awards $16.4 Billion for 25 Passenger Rail Projects on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) Through the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program A list of awards is here. The funding includes IIJA advance appropriations for years beyond FY 2023 despite the selections being made under the funding opportunity for FYs 2022-2023. Awards for projects outside the NEC, for which roughly $4.5 billion is available for FYs 2022 and 2023, will be announced later.
 
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Distributes Federal-Aid Highway Obligation Limitation Under FY 2024 Continuing Resolution (CR) Funds are available for obligation through November 17.
 
FHWA Redistributes $101 Million in FY 2024 Contract Authority to States for the Period Covered by the CR These funds do not come with additional obligation authority and are subject to the obligation limitation set by the CR, as detailed in the preceding item.
 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Announces Availability of $20 Million for FY 2024 Contract Tower Program Applications are due December 1.

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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.
 

AGRICULTURE

USDA Awards $5 Billion to Support Rural Development The amounts awarded are spread across multiple programs, as follows:

• Regional Conservation Partnership Program: $1.1 billion (Farm Bill and IRA funding; awards list).
• Agricultural Conservation Easement Program: $100 million (IRA funding, calendar year [CY] 2023 awards to date, no award list provided)
• Conservation Stewardship Program: $250 million (IRA funding, CY 2023 awards to date, no list provided)
• Environmental Quality Incentives Program: $250 million (IRA funding, CY 2023 awards to date, no list provided)
• Rural Infrastructure: $1.1 billion (awards list)
  • Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program: $5.9 million in grants
  • Electric Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program: $831 million in loans
  • Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants: $187 million in loans, $119 million in grants
• Rural Partners Network projects: $2 billion (multiple programs and funding sources including IRA and IIJA; awards list)
• Rural Energy for America Program: $145 million (IRA funding in part; awards list)

 

HOUSING

HUD Issues 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection for Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP) Supporting Documents and Processing Requirements Comments close January 2, 2024.
 

INTERIOR

Department of the Interior (DOI) Announces $63.4 Million for Colorado River Water Conservation Agreements in Arizona

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CORONAVIRUS

 
FFIS Updates COVID-19 State Allocations Spreadsheet New or updated figures are provided for:

• Emergency Connectivity Fund
• FEMA Public Assistance
• FEMA Funeral Assistance

 

EDUCATION

Department of Education (ED) Updates COVID Materials Updates include:

• Invitation to webinar for the Strategic Planning for Continued Recovery (SPCR) initiative, a year-long initiative to support states in sustaining strategies funded by American Rescue Plan (ARP) and other COVID-relief funds; November 9, 3:00 p.m. ET; register here
• October 30 Newsflash, with recent communications, upcoming deadlines, and other resources

 

INDEPENDENT AGENCIES

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Awards Additional $5 Million in Emergency Connectivity Funding for Schools and Libraries
 

TREASURY

Treasury Updates Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) Self-Service FAQs

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OTHER NEWS
 

BUDGET UPDATE

House, Senate Approve Spending Bills The table below indicates FY 2024 appropriations progress in the House and Senate, and FFIS’s Jim Martin Table lists proposed funding for selected grant programs. No appropriations bills have been enacted. With the current continuing resolution (CR) set to expire November 17, there is agreement that another CR will be required but no agreement on its duration or details.


 

GENERAL

FCC, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Announce Roundtable on Maternal Health and Broadband This hybrid event will take place November 17, 10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET (online at www.fcc.gov/live). It will bring together public and private sector leaders involved in maternal health to explore the intersection of broadband connectivity and maternal health. Register by November 15.
 

AGRICULTURE

USDA Seeks Comment on Proposal to Facilitate Carbon Storage on National Forest Land Comments will be accepted through January 2, 2024.
 

EDUCATION

ED Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) Posts Monthly Newsletter
 
Technical Assistance Circular Specifies Requirements for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) State Plans for Program Years (PY) 2024-2027 The requirements were provided to state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies.
 

ENERGY

DOE Extends Concept Paper Deadline for $9 Million Wholesale Electricity Market Studies and Engagement Program (WEMSE) Funding Opportunity to November 17 This new program aims to engage state and regional utilities and system operators in wholesale markets to potentially decrease their cost of electricity, often lowering energy bills for consumers. The funding opportunity is here.
 

ENVIRONMENT

EPA Announces Small Communities, Big Challenges: Rural Environmental Health Needs Competition EPA is offering 10 cash awards of up to $25,000 to local governments that identify innovative and inclusive approaches for working with citizens, community groups, and other interested parties in rural communities to identify and address environmental public health concerns. Submissions are due January 31, 2024. EPA will host a webinar on the competition on November 29, 2:00 p.m. ET (register).
 
EPA Awards $4.6 Million to Five Universities to Quantify and Mitigate Emissions from Municipal Solid Waste Landfills
 

HEALTH

HHS Announces Top Health Centers for Clinical Quality Excellence HHS announced the top health centers for their achievements in providing health outcomes and high-quality care for patients in rural and underserved communities. Information by state is available here.
 
HHS Outlines Actions to Improve Health of Rural Communities and Help Rural Health Care Providers
 
HHS and HUD Launch Housing and Services Partnership Accelerator The program will support states in developing or expanding innovative housing-related supports and services for Medicaid-eligible people with disabilities and older adults who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. An informational webinar will be held on November 13, 2:00 p.m. ET (register here). Letters of intent are due November 15 and final applications on December 1.
 
HHS Issues Call to Action for Adolescent Health and Well-Being HHS outlined principles, goals, and a set of initial actions. The release also includes a toolkit to spur collaboration in states and communities.
 
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Posts July 2023 Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Monthly Enrollment Report
 
CMS Releases Tribal Protections in Medicaid and CHIP Managed Care Oversight Tool The toolkit provides resources for states, managed care plans, and Indian Health Care Providers (IHCP) to maximize the benefits of Medicaid and CHIP managed care for American Indian and Alaska Native enrollees.
 
CMS Provides Guidance to States on Oversight of Rural Emergency Hospitals The guidance is a result of a final rule that established these hospitals as a new Medicare provider type and codified the conditions the hospitals must meet to participate in Medicare and Medicaid.
 
CMS Finalizes CY 2024 Physician Payment Rule The final rule modifies Medicare payment policies and expands access.
 

HUMAN SERVICES

ACF Releases First Quarter Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Awards The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) awarded $91 million in FY 2024 funding. It also notified grantees that they may continue to apply the higher eligibility rate of 200% of the federal poverty level for services provided through the end of the CR (November 17).
 
ACF Announces New Cohort of CSBG Training and Technical Assistance Award Recipients The release includes a listing of the agreements and descriptions of activities.
 
ACF Awards $2.1 Million for Affordable Housing and Supportive Services Demonstration Program The new pilot program is focused on enhancing wraparound and supportive services for residents in affordable housing. The grant recipients will serve individuals and families in Alaska, Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oklahoma, and Virginia.
 
ACF Announces Webinar on Third Party Data Verification for LIHEAP Applications The webinar is November 29, 2:30 p.m. ET (register here).
 
ACF Awards $3.8 Million for FY 2023 Youth Homeless Prevention Demonstration The press release lists the 11 grant recipients.
 

HOMELAND SECURITY

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Expects to Make an Additional 64,716 H-2B Visas Available for FY 2024 These are in addition to the 66,000 congressionally mandated H-2B visas.
 

HOUSING

HUD Issues Notice for Housing Inventory Count (HIC) and Point-in-Time (PIT) Count Data Collection for Continuum of Care (CoC) Program and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program The HIC and PIT data play a critical role in the CoC Program Competition and HUD will continue to emphasize through its scoring the significance of the data reported and the process for the data collection.
 

INTERIOR

National Park Service (NPS) Awards Nearly $2.4 in Chesapeake Gateways Grants
 

JUSTICE

Office of Justice Programs Continues Announcing FY 2023 Awards Recent announcements include awards through the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office and the Office of Violence against Women (OVW).
 

LABOR

Department of Labor (DOL) Posts Guidance on WIOA State Plans for Program Years 2024-2027
 
DOL Posts Memo on Nondiscrimination Requirements for Entities Receiving WIOA or Other DOL Support Discrimination based on actual or perceived religion, shared ancestry, or ethnic characteristics is prohibited.
 

NUTRITION

Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Publishes Annual Report on Eligibility and Program Reach for Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) The report covers data from CY 2021, during which only 51% of eligible families participated in WIC. A separate page presents charts and data.
 
FNS Seeks Comment on Information Collection for WIC Breastfeeding Award of Excellence Applications Comments will be accepted through December 4.
 
FNS Posts Updated List of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Broad-based Categorical Eligibility Implementation by State The list includes the asset and gross income limits of non-cash Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or state maintenance of effort (MOE) funded programs used to confer SNAP eligibility.
 
FNS Updates SNAP Waivers Database
 
FNS Posts Video of Farm to School State Formula Grant Annual Reporting and Indicators Training
 
FNS Creates Webpage on SNAP Performance Indicators The page includes a link to a recently updated overview of Case and Procedural Error Rates (CAPER).
 
FNS Updates Lists of Community Eligibility Provision Status of Local Education Agencies and Schools
 

TRANSPORTATION

DOT Requests Information to Inform Consideration of Potential Updates to Accessibility Requirements for Transportation Facilities Under the Americans with Disabilities Act Comments should be submitted on or before January 5, 2024.
 
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Issues Interim Guidance on Asset Disposition for Certain Purposes The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY 2022 included a new provision that allows FTA to authorize the transfer of real property acquired or improved with federal assistance, but no longer needed for the originally authorized purpose, to a local governmental authority, nonprofit organization, or other third-party entity if certain statutory criteria are met. The guidance is available in FAQ format here.
 
FTA Releases 2022 National Transit Database (NTD) Annual Data Products The set of files includes data on ridership, operating expenses, service levels, funding sources, and more from transit providers nationwide.