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.
COMMERCE
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Launches BEAD Initial Proposal Progress Dashboard The dashboard shows each state’s progress toward submitting its initial proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. Eight major milestones must be completed by December 27. NTIA urges states to submit Volume I of the proposal for approval as soon as possible; upon Volume I approval and submission of Volume II, a state or territory can commence its challenge process.
ENERGY
Department of Energy (DOE) Posts Revised Formula Allocations for the Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund Capitalization Grant Program The revised allocations reflect the redistribution of unclaimed funds. The original formula allocations are here.
DOE Selects $3.46 Billion in Projects for Award Negotiation Through First Round of Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program The GRIP program is comprised of three separate IIJA appropriations:
- Preventing Outages and Enhancing the Resilience of the Electric Grid (utility and industry grants; $2.5 billion)
- Smart Grid Investment Matching Grant Program ($3 billion)
- Program Upgrading Our Electric Grid and Ensuring Reliability and Resiliency ($5 billion)
Awards, broken down by appropriation, are available here. DOE will host a webinar on the selections October 24, 2:30-3:30 p.m. ET (registration required).
ENVIRONMENT
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) Award $9.6 Million for Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction Projects in the Chesapeake Bay A list of awards is here.
EPA to Host Series of Webinars on Clean School Bus Program They will be held between November 2, 2023, and February 7, 2024.
INTERIOR
Department of the Interior (DOI) Issues Request for Information (RFI) to Inform Development of Orphaned Wells Regulatory Improvement Grants The IIJA provided $1.5 billion for Performance Grants under the Orphaned Well Site Plugging, Remediation, and Restoration program, including Matching Grants and Regulatory Improvement Grants (RIGs). The RFI seeks input on how to best structure the RIG program. Responses are due December 19.
TRANSPORTATION
Joint Office of Energy and Transportation Announces Round 7 Alternative Fuel Corridor (AFC) Designations The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program and Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program both provide eligibility based on AFC designations.
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to Host Webinar on $197 Million Rail Vehicle Replacement Program Funding Opportunity It will be held November 2, 1:30 p.m. ET (register at link above). Additional information on the program is here.
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Issues Notice of Information to be Collected Under SIRC Funding Opportunity The Strategic Innovation for Revenue Collection (SIRC) program will evaluate the feasibility of a road usage fee and other user-based alternative revenue mechanisms to help maintain the long-term solvency of the Highway Trust Fund through pilot projects at the state, local, and regional levels. Responses to the notice are due December 18.
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.
GENERAL
Treasury, DOE, Internal Revenue Service Open Applications for Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program The program provides a 10- or 20-percentage point tax credit boost for solar and wind projects in low-income or tribal communities.
AGRICULTURE
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Seeks Comment on Information Collection for Empowering Rural America (New ERA), Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) Applications The programs provide IRA financial assistance to support reduced greenhouse gas emissions and greater use of renewable energy in rural electric systems. Comments will be accepted through November 24.
COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Posts Effects of Sea Level Rise Awards The awards include five new projects funded by the IRA.
ENERGY
DOE Extends Concept Paper Deadline for Transmission Grants to Facilitate Siting of Interstate Electricity Transmission Lines The deadline was extended from October 31 to November 17. The due date for full applications remains April 5, 2024. Additional information is here.
ENVIRONMENT
EPA to Host Webinar on $3 Billion Clean Ports Program The webinar will cover EPA’s plans for the program. It will be held October 31, 1:00-3:00 p.m. ET (register).
HOUSING
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Awards $103.4 Million Under Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP) New loans and grants will finance renovation of 1,500 low-income households to be zero energy and resilient at 16 HUD-Assisted Multifamily Housing properties. The full list of grantees is here.
CORONAVIRUS
FFIS Updates COVID-19 State Allocations Spreadsheet New or updated figures are provided for:
- Emergency Connectivity Fund
- FEMA Public Assistance
GENERAL
Treasury Report Highlights Equitable Economic Recovery from Pandemic
EDUCATION
Department of Education (ED) Updates COVID Materials Updates include:
- October 10 and October 16 Newsflash, with recent communications, upcoming deadlines, and other resources
- American Rescue Plan (ARP) Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) maintenance of equity materials, showing local educational agencies (LEAs) excepted from meeting the requirement
- Links to ARP-ESSER state and LEA/school district plans
HEALTH
CMS Releases New Resource on Operationalizing Renewal Determinations When New Information is Reported The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) document covers state options when a child is initially determined eligible via an ex parte review, and the parent subsequently provides new information that could affect the child’s eligibility.
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
NUTRITION
TREASURY
Treasury Updates Capital Project Fund (CPF) Project and Expenditure Report User Guide A revision log on page 63 details the updates.
Treasury Releases Interim Report on Progress in Implementing State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)
Treasury Releases Report Card on Supporting Small Business Growth
GAO Report Details State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) Spending as of March 31, 2023 The General Accountability Office (GAO) found that states reported spending 45% of their awards, localities reported spending 38% of their awards, and that the largest category of spending was for lost revenue—$39.5 billion for states and $32.4 billion for localities.
OTHER NEWS
BUDGET UPDATE
Treasury Releases Final Monthly Treasury Statement for FY 2023 The statement shows a $1.7 trillion deficit for the year.
GENERAL
Census Bureau Posts 2022 State-to-State Migration Flow Statistics
COMMERCE
Economic Development Administration (EDA) Announces Tech Hub Designations, Strategy Development Grant (SDG) Recipients The 31 Tech Hubs are located across 32 states and Puerto Rico. The SDG recipients are not exclusively tech hub designees, but the second phase of funding is only open to designees. Applications for phase 2 are due February 29, 2024.
EDA Provides Update on Recompete Pilot Program More than 565 applications were submitted, identifying more than $6.6 billion in investment needs.
EDUCATION
ED Awards $14 Million Under First-Ever Fostering Diverse Schools Demonstration Grant Program Recipients are listed in the press release. The same release details 16 awards totaling $92 million under the Magnet School Assistance Program.
ED Awards More Than $11 Million to Preserve Native Languages, Increase Native Teacher Retention, and Support Tribal Educational Agencies A list of grant recipients under the new Native American Language Resource Centers (NALRC) program, the first-ever Native American Teacher Retention Initiative (NATRI) program, and the State Tribal Education Partnership (STEP) program is included in the press release.
ED Updates Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) Stronger Connections Grant Program FAQs
ED Releases 2021-2022 IDEA State Data Displays The data displays are used to provide a clear, quick, and accurate snapshot of each state’s/entity’s education data regarding children served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
ENERGY
DOE Releases Draft Application Guidance for FY 2024 Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) Applications are due either February 9 or May 3, 2024, depending on the program year end date.
ENVIRONMENT
EPA Issues Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Reduce Spread of Invasive Species by Large Marine Vessels The proposal supplements a proposed rule to regulate pollution discharges from marine vessels issued in October 2020. The supplemental notice shares new ballast water information from the Coast Guard and additional regulatory options EPA is considering for the final rule for ballast tanks, hulls and associated niche areas, and graywater systems. EPA will host two webinars on the proposal (register):
- November 8, 4:00-5:00 p.m. ET
- November 16, 9:00-10:00 a.m. ET
Comments on the issues identified in the supplemental notice are due December 18.
EPA Proposes Ban on All Uses of Trichloroethylene Comments are due 45 days after publication in the Federal Register.
EPA Rescinds Interpretive Memo Requiring States to Evaluate Cybersecurity Technologies Used by Public Water Systems The rescission is in response to ongoing litigation. The interpretive memo can be found here.
HEALTH
CMS Provides Clarification of Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Grants Closeout Process Based on recommendations from the Office of Inspector General (OIG), CMS provided clarification on the grant closeout process and actions states should take to improve grant administration.
CMS Releases Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Reports CMS released the Medicaid LTSS Annual Expenditures Report for Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2020 and the 1915(c) Waiver Programs Annual Expenditures and Beneficiaries Report, Analysis of CMS 372 Annual Reports for 2018-2019. These reports discuss LTSS rebalancing trends and patterns in expenditures for different home and community-based services (HCBS) and institutional care, nationally and across states.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Announces Plans for Collecting Refugee and Asylee Data on Medicaid Utilization
HUMAN SERVICES
ACF Launches Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) Data Dashboard The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) dashboard includes information for each state and territory and details on services, recipients, and expenditures.
HHS Hosting Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Briefing Today The briefing will cover funding available through LIHEAP. It is today at 1:30 p.m. ET. Join at the link above.
HOMELAND SECURITY
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Issues Memo on Using State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) and Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Funds for Certain Operational Expenses
FEMA Updates Maximum Assistance Amounts for Individuals and Households Program The maximum amounts apply to emergencies and major disasters declared on or after October 1, 2023.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Proposes to Modernize H-1B Requirements Comments are due December 22.
HOUSING
HUD Announces Expansion of ConnectHomeUSA Initiative A notice announces the program’s restructuring and expansion to between 50 and 100 new communities. The program was launched in 2015 to address the “homework gap” for students in grades K–12 living in public and Indian housing. Comments close December 18. A three-day virtual summit on the program will be held October 24-26. More details and a registration link are here.
HUD Posts Webinar on Allocating Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Costs
HUD Announces Metropolitan Areas Subject to Small Area Fair Market Rents (FMRs) in Housing Choice Voucher Program The notice lists the metropolitan areas subject to Small Area FMRs based on the requirement that HUD make new area designations every five years. Its effective date was October 1.
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
FCC Invites Comment on How Expansion, Enhancement of Broadband Health Mapping Tool Could Improve Maternal Care Comments will be accepted through November 20.
FCC Adopts Rules Adding Language, Functionality to Wireless Emergency Alerts The agency is also seeking partners to test solutions for delivering wireless emergency alerts during cell tower outages.
FCC: E-Rate Funding Can Be Used for School Bus Wi-Fi The E-Rate program uses universal service funding to support broadband in schools and libraries.
LABOR
Updated Rule on Wage Rates for Federally Funded Projects Takes Effect The update to Davis Bacon Act regulations was published in the Federal Register in August.
NUTRITION
FNS Posts Memo on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefit Issuance Under FY 2024 Continuing Resolution FNS will be able to provide SNAP benefits through the end of December and has already provided administrative funding for the same period. Nutrition Assistance Program grants for Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands are also fully funded through December.
FNS Releases SNAP State Options Report The report documents state choices among certain operational and policy options in the program’s administration.
FNS Posts Peer Review Plans for Upcoming Studies, Evaluations
FNS Posts SNAP Work Rules Screening Checklist, Flow Chart
FNS Provides Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Implementation Toolkit
- Timeline of reporting submission requirements
- Notice of intent (due January 1)
- Interim plan for operations and management template (requested by December 15)
- Checklist for governors