On October 19, 2009, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued its competitive Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funding opportunity announcement. The announcement seeks innovative state and local government and Indian tribe programs, and will use up to $454 million in Recovery Act EECBG funds for these competitive grants awarded in the two topic areas described below. Applications are due to DOE by December 14, 2009, and the voluntary letters of intent are due by November 19, 2009.

Topic 1: Retrofit Ramp-Up, $390 million

The first topic area will award funds for innovative programs that are structured to provide whole-neighborhood building energy retrofits. These will be projects that demonstrate a sustainable business model for providing cost-effective energy upgrades for a large percentage of the residential, commercial, and public buildings in a specific community. DOE expects to make 8 to 20 awards under this topic area, with award size ranging from $5-75 million. Eligible entities include states, formula-eligible local and tribal governments, entities eligible under Topic 2, and nonprofit organizations authorized by the preceding entities.

Topic 2: General Innovation Fund, $64 million

The second topic area will award up to $64 million to help expand local energy efficiency efforts and reduce energy use in the commercial, residential, transportation, manufacturing, or industrial sectors. DOE expects to make 15 to 60 awards, with award size ranging from $1-5 million. Eligible entities include local and tribal governments that were not eligible to receive population-based formula grant allocations from DOE under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program; a governmental, quasi-governmental, or non-governmental, nonprofit organization authorized by and on behalf of a unit of local government (or Indian tribe) that was not an eligible entity; or a consortia of units of local governments (or tribes) that were not eligible entities.

For complete details on the availability of funds please visit http://www.eecbg.energy.gov/about/competitive_grants.html

Read the full post from the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Have you been wanting to green your home, but don’t have the green to do it? As part of the federal stimulus package, the government is offering a tax credit on various products that will help boost your home’s energy efficiency. The tax credit covers 30 percent of the purchase price–and, in some cases, the installation cost as well–of eligible products “placed in service,” or put into use, in existing primary residences (not new construction) between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2010. The maximum credit you can receive for all qualifying products during this period is $1,500.

I just received this message from the EPA State and Local Climate Energy Program. It includes announcements  of more than $96 million in funding opportunities for state, local, and tribal governments from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that can be used to support climate and energy initiatives including vehicle technology, energy efficiency, renewable energy, green building, waste management, training, and education. For full eligibility and application details, please visit the links provided below.

National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program–$64 million
EPA requests proposals for the National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program. Through this program, EPA seeks projects that will achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions in terms of tons of pollution produced and diesel emissions exposure, particularly from fleets operating in designated poor air quality areas. Eligible entities include regional, state, local, or tribal agencies or port authorities with jurisdiction over transportation or air quality, and nonprofit organizations. Up to 80 awards are anticipated. Proposals are due 12/8/09.
For more info:  http://www.epa.gov/air/grants_funding.html.

Clean Diesel Emerging Technologies–$8 million
EPA requests proposals for the Clean Diesel Emerging Technologies Funding Assistance Program. Eligible diesel emission reduction solutions are listed at: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/diesel/prgemerglist.htm. Eligible entities include regional, state, local or tribal agencies or port authorities with jurisdiction over transportation or air quality, and nonprofit organizations.  Six to 10 awards are anticipated. Proposals are due 12/8/09.
For more info: http://www.epa.gov/air/grants_funding.html.

SmartWay Clean Diesel Finance Program–$12 million
EPA requests proposals for the SmartWay Clean Diesel Finance Program. This program will support projects that reduce diesel emissions through the creation of national, tribal, regional, state, or local finance program(s). Eligible entities include regional, state, local or tribal agencies or port authorities with jurisdiction over transportation or air quality, and nonprofit organizations. Up to six awards anticipated. Proposals are due 12/8/09.
For more info: http://www.epa.gov/air/grants_funding.html.

Environmental Education–$3 million
EPA requests proposals for Environmental Education Grants. This program supports environmental education projects that promote environmental stewardship and help develop knowledgeable and responsible students, teachers, and citizens. Eligible entities include local and tribal education agencies, colleges or universities, state education or environmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, and local or state agencies that conduct educational, environmental programs. Up to 95 awards are anticipated. Responses due 12/15/09.
For more info: http://www.epa.gov/enviroed/grants.html.

Environmental Justice Small Grants Program–$1 million
EPA requests proposals for the Environmental Justice Small Grants Program. This program supports projects that address a local environmental and public health issue within an affected community. This year the program will emphasize the disproportionate impacts of climate change in communities with environmental justice concerns. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, energy efficiency, renewables, water efficiency, green jobs and green economy capacity building, and smart growth. Eligible entities include city, township, and county governments; tribal governments; and nonprofit organizations. Up to 40 awards are anticipated. Responses due 1/8/10.
For more info: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/environmentaljustice/grants/ej-smgrants.html.

Brownfields Job Training–$2.6 million
EPA requests proposals for Brownfields Job Training Grants. This program supports the delivery of environmental job training to communities that currently receive, or have received, financial assistance from EPA for brownfields-related work. Eligible entities include state, local, and tribal governments; regional councils or groups of local governments; and nonprofit organizations. Twelve to 13 awards are anticipated. Responses due 12/1/09.
For more info: http://www.epa.gov/oswer/grants-funding.htm#EPA-OSWER-ORCR-09-07

Green and Healthy Homes–$2.4 million
HUD requests proposals for the Green and Healthy Homes and Technical Studies Program. Through this RFP, HUD seeks to improve knowledge of the effects of residential green construction on both indoor environmental quality and occupant health, with a particular focus on children and other sensitive populations. Eligible entities include state, local, and tribal governments and academic, nonprofit, or for-profit institutions. Up to seven awards are  anticipated. Responses due 11/17/09.
For more info: http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/nofa09/grplead.cfm.

Solid Waste Management–$3.4 million
USDA requests proposals for the Solid Waste Management Grant Program. This program supports projects that assist communities through free technical assistance and/or training geared toward reducing or eliminating pollution of water resources in rural areas, and improve planning and management of solid waste sites in rural areas. Eligible entities include public bodies, tribal governments, academic institutions, and nonprofit organizations. Up to 40 awards anticipated. Responses due 12/31/09.
For more info: http://www.usda.gov/rus/water/SWMG.htm.

Application deadline October 30
Planet Connect is accepting applications for their high school student grants. Students who have an innovative solution to an environmental problem at school or in the local community can receive $1,000 to support their project in addition to a local environmental internship. Applicants must be between the ages of 14 and 19 and enrolled in a U.S. high school program. Planet Connect is a component of Classroom Earth, a program of the National Environmental Education Foundation.
http://www.planet-connect.org/planet-connect-grants

Application deadline November 2
Prudential Spirit of Community Awards honor outstanding community service by young people in grades 5-12 at the local, state and national level. Ten honorees in grades 5-12 will be given a cash award of $5,000 plus a grant in the same amount to the nonprofit charitable organization of their choice for outstanding work in their communities.  http://spirit.prudential.com/view/page

The U.S. Department of Agriculture requests proposals for the Solid Waste Management Grant Program. This program supports projects that assist communities through free technical assistance and/or training geared towards reducing or eliminating pollution of water resources in rural areas, and improve planning and management of solid waste sites in rural areas. $3.4 million expected to be available, up to 40 awards anticipated. Responses due 12/31/09. For more info, contact LaVonda Pernell at lavonda.pernell@wdc.usda.gov or go to: http://www.usda.gov/rus/water/SWMG.htm. Refer to Sol# RDUP-SWMGRANT-093009-FY20.

Via GreenBiz. This is an incredibly useful database.

Established in 1995, the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) is an ongoing project of the North Carolina Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). It is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), primarily through the Office of Planning, Budget and Analysis (PBA). The site is administered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), which is operated for DOE by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

The DSIRE web site provides information about renewable energy and energy efficiency incentives and policies in effect in the United States. Relevant incentives and policies established by the federal government, state governments, local governments, electric utilities and non-profit organizations are included in DSIRE.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu today announced a new $450 million program designed to catalyze a nationwide energy upgrade that experts estimate could save $100 million annually in utility bills for households and businesses. The Recovery Act’s “Retrofit Ramp-Up” program will pioneer innovative models for rolling out energy efficiency to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses in a variety of communities.  Much like past roll-outs for cable TV or the Internet, DOE intends to create models that, when undertaken nationally, will save consumers billions of dollars on their utility bills and make the huge savings of energy efficiency available to everyone.

“Energy efficiency isn’t just low-hanging fruit; it’s fruit lying on the ground.  We have the tools to reduce energy use at home and at work and to provide huge savings to families and businesses on their energy bills.  But use of these technologies has been far too limited because we lack the simple and effective ways for people to access them,” said Energy Secretary Steven Chu.

“The ‘Retrofit Ramp-Up’ program will support large-scale models that can open new energy efficiency opportunities to whole neighborhoods, towns, and, eventually, entire states,” continued Secretary Chu.  “The Recovery Act will allow innovative communities to demonstrate a variety of sustainable business models that can be replicated across the country.”

The Request for Information (RFI) being issued today is for competitively-selected local energy efficiency projects.  This competitive portion of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program will target community-scale retrofit projects that make significant, long-term impacts on energy use and can serve as national role models for grassroots energy efficiency efforts.  DOE is seeking public comment on this newly funded program under the Recovery Act.  Public comment ends on September 28, 2009.

The Department of Energy is accepting feedback on both the competitively-selected portion of the EECBG program for up to $390 million for neighborhood-scale building retrofits, as well as up to $64 million for local governments that were not eligible to receive the formula grants announced earlier this year.  The EECBG program empowers local communities to make strategic investments to meet the Nation’s long-term goals for energy independence and leadership on climate change.

This first topic area under the funding solicitation will target a select number of innovative programs that are structured to provide whole-neighborhood building energy retrofits.  These will be projects that demonstrate a sustainable business model for providing cost-effective energy upgrades for a large percentage of the residential, commercial, and public buildings in a specific community.  Possible approaches could include innovative partnerships between the public and private sector, utility retrofit and audit programs, alternative financing, retail partnerships, and others.  The Department of Energy will award up to $390 million for these projects.

The second topic area for up to $64 million is reserved for cities, counties and State-recognized Indian Tribes that were not eligible to receive population-based formula grant allocations from DOE under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program.   These funds are intended to help expand local energy efficiency efforts and reduce energy use in the commercial, residential, transportation, manufacturing, or industrial sectors.

“The aim of the ‘Retrofit Ramp-Up’ program is to jump-start an industry that makes energy efficiency savings easy to access and available to everyone.  By encouraging partnerships between local governments and effective private enterprises, we hope tune-ups for buildings will become as accepted as tune-ups for cars.  These efforts will save Americans millions of dollars, reduce carbon pollution, and create new green jobs,” said Secretary Chu

The complete Request for Information is available HERE.  Public comment is requested by September 28, 2009. The Funding Opportunity Announcement is expected to be released in early October, following the public comment period.

For more information on the EECBG program, visit www.eecbg.energy.gov.

Read the press release.

Marking a major milestone in the effort to spur private sector investments in clean energy and create new jobs for America’s workers, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced $502 million in the first round of awards from an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) program that provides cash assistance to energy production companies in place of earned tax credits. The new funding creates additional upfront capital, enabling companies to create jobs and begin construction that may have been stalled until now.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provides numerous tax incentives for individuals to invest in energy-efficient products.

Residential Energy Property Credit (Section 1121): The new law increases the energy tax credit for homeowners who make energy efficient improvements to their existing homes. The new law increases the credit rate to 30 percent of the cost of all qualifying improvements and raises the maximum credit limit to $1,500 for improvements placed in service in 2009 and 2010.

The credit applies to improvements such as adding insulation, energy efficient exterior windows and energy-efficient heating and air conditioning systems.

A similar credit was available for 2007, but was not available in 2008. Homeowners should be aware that the standards in the new law are higher than the standards for the credit that was available in 2007 for products that qualify as “energy efficient” for purposes of this tax credit. The IRS has issued Notice 2009-59 that will allow manufacturers to certify that their products meet these new standards.

Until the guidance is released, homeowners generally may continue to rely on manufacturers’ certifications that were provided under the old guidance. For exterior windows and skylights, homeowners may continue to rely on Energy Star labels in determining whether property purchased before June 1, 2009, qualifies for the credit. Manufacturers should not continue to provide certifications for property that fails to meet the new standards.

Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit (Section 1122): This nonrefundable energy tax credit will help individual taxpayers pay for qualified residential alternative energy equipment, such as solar hot water heaters, geothermal heat pumps and wind turbines. The new law removes some of the previously imposed maximum amounts and allows for a credit equal to 30 percent of the cost of qualified property. See Notice 09-41.

Plug-in Electric Drive Vehicle Credit (Section 1141): The new law modifies the credit for qualified plug-in electric drive vehicles purchased after Dec. 31, 2009. To qualify, vehicles must be newly purchased, have four or more wheels, have a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 14,000 pounds, and draw propulsion using a battery with at least four kilowatt hours that can be recharged from an external source of electricity. The minimum amount of the credit for qualified plug-in electric drive vehicles is $2,500 and the credit tops out at $7,500, depending on the battery capacity. The full amount of the credit will be reduced with respect to a manufacturer’s vehicles after the manufacturer has sold at least 200,000 vehicles.

Plug-In Electric Vehicle Credit (Section 1142): The new law also creates a special tax credit for two types of plug-in vehicles — certain low-speed electric vehicles and two- or three-wheeled vehicles. The amount of the credit is 10 percent of the cost of the vehicle, up to a maximum credit of $2,500 for purchases made after Feb. 17, 2009, and before Jan. 1, 2012. To qualify, a vehicle must be either a low speed vehicle propelled by an electric motor that draws electricity from a battery with a capacity of 4 kilowatt hours or more or be a two- or three-wheeled vehicle propelled by an electric motor that draws electricity from a battery with the capacity of 2.5 kilowatt hours. A taxpayer may not claim this credit if the plug-in electric drive vehicle credit is allowable.

Conversion Kits (Section 1143): The new law also provided a tax credit for plug-in electric drive conversion kits. The credit is equal to 10 percent of the cost of converting a vehicle to a qualified plug-in electric drive motor vehicle and placed in service after Feb. 17, 2009. The maximum amount of the credit is $4,000. The credit does not apply to conversions made after Dec. 31, 2011. A taxpayer may claim this credit even if the taxpayer claimed a hybrid vehicle credit for the same vehicle in an earlier year.

Treatment of Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit as a Personal Credit Allowed Against AMT (Section 1144): Starting in 2009, the new law allows the Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit, including the tax credit for purchasing hybrid vehicles, to be applied against the Alternative Minimum Tax. Prior to the new law, the Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit could not be used to offset the AMT. This means the credit could not be taken if a taxpayer owed AMT or was reduced for some taxpayers who did not owe AMT.

Questions and Answers

If you have questions about the energy incentives for individuals, these questions and answers might help.

Related Items:

• IR-2009-44, Energy-Saving Steps This Year May Result in Tax Savings Next Year
• Fact Sheet 2009-10, Energy Provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
• Energy Incentives for Businesses in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
• Flyers, posters and marketing products
• U.S. Department of Energy Energystar Web site
• The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: Information Center

The Bright Green Dream Challenge encourages teachers and students to evaluate their classroom environment and propose creative solutions for increasing energy efficiency, enhancing the learning environment and reducing their carbon footprint. The winning entry will receive a $15,000 sustainable classroom upgrade to be installed in their school later this year.

Toshiba America Foundation (TAF) grants support innovative projects designed by math and science teachers to make their classrooms more exciting and successful for students. Any K-12 teacher in a public or private school in the United States is eligible. Proposed projects must advance the teacher’s science and math teaching units. Grants are awarded in two categories: K-6 grants and 7-12 grants. K-6 teachers can receive up to $1,000 in grant money for their project. Funding is available for 7-12 teachers or teams of teachers that plan and lead projects in their own classrooms. Projects in the past have included biofuels research and water quality testing at a local lake.

Funding Opportunity Number:     DE-FOA-0000119
Current Closing Date for Applications:     Aug 15, 2009
Expected Number of Awards:     56
Estimated Total Program Funding:     $296,000,000
Award Ceiling:     $37,000,000
Award Floor:     $100,000
CFDA Number(s):     81.127  –  Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program

Eligible Applicants:  State governments

The Recovery Act provides $296M to implement Section 124 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005) establishing DOE support for States rebate programs for residential ENERGY STAR appliance products (those that represent improvements in efficiency compared to the majority of products in the market). States will receive formula-based funding to establish or supplement established ENERGY STAR appliance rebate programs. Federal funds, awarded from this FOA, may be used to pay up to 50% of the administrative costs to carry out the rebate program. The Appliance Rebate Program Objectives are:

• Save energy by encouraging appliance replacement through consumer rebates
• Make rebates available to consumers
• Enhance existing rebate programs by leveraging ENERGY STAR national partner relationships and local program infrastructure
• Keep administrative costs low while adhering to monitoring and evaluation requirements
• Promote state and national tracking and accountability
• Use existing ENERGY STAR consumer education and outreach materials

Read the full post at Green, Inc.

The Treasury and the Energy Department today unveiled long-awaited new rules under which the government will pay up to 30 percent of the cost of renewable energy projects.

Youth Service America (YSA) will give $5,500 STEM grants to middle school science teachers and service-learning coordinators to strengthen their classroom practices through service learning. The grant will target students from disadvantaged circumstances in Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, and Washington.

Grantees will engage up to 75 students in grades 6–8 in a semester-long service-learning program. With a focus on environmental concerns, STEMester of Service’s goals will include addressing community problems, encouraging students to explore STEM careers and preventing early dropout.

The program components will include a $5,500 grant for teachers or service-learning coordinators; training and professional development; participation at YSA’s Youth Service Institute in Washington, D.C.; resources to help grantees plan and implement STEMemester of Service; and national recognition and visibility through YSA communications and outreach initiatives. The application deadline is July 15. Visit the YSA website to learn more and apply.

Read the full post from Chelsea Green Publishers.

Times are tough, and chances are your local public library has been feeling the pain.

Look, they were there for you in high school when you were broke and looking for the entire Michael Crichton backlist. They were there when you needed to get your hands on the latest Sue Grafton (but you kind of didn’t want it on your bookshelf). And do I even need to mention Harry Potter? Well, now’s your chance to give a little back.

In a first for book publishers, Chelsea Green is offering librarians a “Wish List” donation registry, allowing friends and patrons to donate new books to their library at a 40% discount with FREE shipping! All types of libraries are eligible to participate, including public, school, academic, and special libraries. And as a Thank You gift, when you order a book for your favorite library, we’ll even ship your personal book order for free. It’s a Win-Win.

If you’re a library and you’d like to apply now, click here.

Read the press release.

Beginning in June 2010, Kresge will only award capital challenge grants to colleges and universities building environmentally sustainable facilities.

The Fiscal Year 2009 Appropriations Bill authorized EPA to administer a $10 million competitive grant program to assist local and tribal governments in establishing and implementing climate change initiatives. The overall goal of the Climate Showcase Communities grant program is to create replicable models of sustainable community action that generate cost-effective and persistent greenhouse gas reductions while improving the environmental, economic, public health, or social conditions in a community. To apply please download the request for applications.

EPA will offer peer exchange, training, and technical support to grant recipients, and encourage replication across the country to promote the creation of sustainable climate management programs that are not only the foundation for stabilizing our climate but also create jobs and fulfill other local government priorities.

Eligibility for the program includes local governments (e.g., a county, municipality, city, town, township, local public authority, school district, special district, intrastate district, council of governments), federally recognized Indian tribal governments, and inter-tribal consortia.

A 50 percent cost match or cost share is required for this program with the exception of tribal governments and intertribal consortia, which are exempt from matching requirements. The cost share and/or match can be in the form of cash or as in-kind contributions, such as use of volunteers and/or donated time, equipment, salary, expertise, etc.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requests proposals for the Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Grant Program. This program supports urban jurisdictions with the greatest lead-based paint hazard control needs, in undertaking programs for the identification and control of lead-based paint hazards in eligible privately owned rental and owner-occupied housing units. $117 million expected to be available, individual awards NTE $7.07 million. Responses due 7/20/09. For more info, contact Bill Nellis at (202) 402-7686 or go to: http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/nofa09/grpleadcombo.cfm. Refer to Sol# FR-5300-N-06.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requests proposals for Targeted Grants to Reduce Childhood Lead Poisoning. This RFP will support activities to reduce incidences of childhood lead poisoning in vulnerable populations. $1 million expected to be available, up to 20 awards anticipated. Responses due 8/14/09. For more info, including Regional contacts, go to: http://epa.gov/lead/pubs/rfp20090513.pdf. Refer to Sol# EPA-HQ-OPPT-2009-06.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requests proposals for the Environmental Finance Center (EFC) Grant Program. Under this program, EFC’s will be established across the nation to provide regulated parties with finance-related training, technical assistance, finance studies, and other analytical support to help them develop solutions to the critical “how-to-pay” issues associated with meeting environmental goals. $24 million expected to be available, up to 10 awards anticipated. Responses due 7/15/09. For more info, contact Timothy McProuty at efcgrant@epa.gov or go to: http://www.epa.gov/efinpage/efcgrants/index.htm. Refer to Sol# EPA-OCFO-CEF-09-01.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requests proposals for Advancing Public Health Protection through Water Infrastructure Sustainability. Projects should clearly demonstrate an integrated, multi-disciplinary approach that leads to advances in design, operation, and management of the water infrastructure and should directly tie those advances to public health protection in conjunction with improving water efficiency and reducing energy requirements. $6 million expected to be available, up to 8 awards anticipated. Responses due 8/17/09. For more info, contact Angela Page at page.angelad@epa.gov or go to: http://www.epa.gov/ncer/rfa/2009/2009_star_water_infrastructure.html. Refer to Sol# EPA-G2009-STAR-F1.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture requests proposals for the New Era Rural Technology Competitive Grants Program (RTP). This program supports technology development, applied research, and/or training, with a focus on rural communities, to aid in the development of a workforce for bioenergy, pulp and paper manufacturing, or agriculture-based renewable energy. $750K expected to be available, up to 25 awards anticipated. Responses due 7/20/09. For more info, contact RTP@csrees.usda.gov or go to: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/rfas/new_era.html. Refer to Sol# USDA-CSREES-RTP-002295.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture requests proposals for the Critical Agricultural Materials Program. This program supports the development and demonstration of novel, environmentally friendly technologies for use in paints, coatings, and adhesives for composites. Priority will be given to proposals that include a life cycle analysis, comparing biobased products with a fossil-based counterparts, using the Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability model (BEES) developed by the NIST. $1 million expected to be available, up to 2 awards anticipated. Responses due 7/7/09. For more info, contact Carmela Bailey at cbailey@csrees.usda.gov or go to: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/rfas/cam.html. Refer to Sol# USDA-CSREES-OP-002325.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture requests proposals for the Small Business Innovation Research Program – Phase I. SBIR supports U.S. owned, small business R&D projects that address important problems facing American agriculture and have the potential to lead to significant public benefit if the research is successful. Research areas include, but are not limited to: Biofuels and Biobased Products; Air, Water, and Soils; Rural Development; Aquaculture; and Animal Manure Management. $18.5 million expected to be available, individual awards NTE $90K. Responses due 9/3/09. For more info, contact sbir@csrees.usda.gov or go to: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/rfas/sbir_rfa.html. Refer to Sol# USDA-CSREES-SBIR-002363.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) requests applications for Global Climate Change Education (GCCE): Research Experience, Teaching and Learning. Each funded proposal is expected to make use of NASA’s unique contributions in climate science to enhance students’ academic experiences and/or to improve educators’ abilities to engage their students. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to: 1) Global Climate Change Science Research Experiences for Undergraduate or Community College Students, and 2) Improving Teacher Competency for Global Climate Change Education. $8 million expected to be available, up to 25 awards anticipated. Notice of Intent to apply due 7/2/09, final proposals due 8/3/09. For more info, contact Lin Chambers at gcce-questions@lists.nasa.gov or go to: http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?method=init&solId={6950C5E7-9903-AFEA-2AB0-A839C6F510B4}&path=open. Refer to Sol# NNL09ZB1005C.

The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for the Industrial Energy Efficiency Grand Challenge. This RFP will support the development of transformational industrial processes and technologies that reduce the energy intensity or greenhouse gas emissions of the system by a minimum of 25 percent while providing a return on investment of 10 percent or greater. $15 million expected to be available, up to 50 awards anticipated. Responses due 7/14/09. For more info, contact Michael Schledorn at michael.schledorn@go.doe.gov or go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=47812. Refer to Sol# DE-FOA-0000113.

The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for the Deployment of Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Systems, District Energy Systems, Waste Energy Recovery Systems, and Efficient Industrial Equipment. This RFP will enable deployment of industrial technologies that provide 25% or greater improvement in energy efficiency over the currently-utilized equipment. The amount of funding available and number of awards anticipated not available at the time of this writing. Responses due 7/14/09. For more info, contact Debra Ball at ball@netl.doe.gov or go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=47763. Refer to Sol# DE-FOA-0000044.

The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for Energy Efficient Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Through this RFP, DOE seeks the development of new technologies to dramatically improve energy efficiency in ICT systems with an the emphasis on new technologies that can be commercialized within the next 3 – 5 five years, and to demonstrate through field testing highly energy efficient, emerging technologies that are ready for or are in the initial stage of commercial introduction. $50 million expected to be available, up to 15 awards anticipated. Responses due 7/21/09. For more info, contact Michael Schledorn at michael.schledorn@go.doe.gov or go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=47742. Refer to Sol# DE-FOA-0000107.

The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for the Net-Zero Energy Commercial Building Initiative Supporting Consortium. The intent of this initiative is to establish a Supporting Consortium (SC) representing commercial building design, equipment, operation, finance, and other groups. The main goal of the SC is to collect information on current and next generation technologies for individual components and systems to provide a knowledge base of information to industry in supporting DOE’s goal of establishing net-zero energy performance for all U.S. commercial buildings by 2050. $1 million expected to be available, 1 award anticipated. Responses due 7/14/09. For more info, contact Richard Rogus at rogus@netl.doe.gov or go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=47706. Refer to Sol# DE-FOA-0000105.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture requests proposals for Renewable Energy Feasibility Grants. This program will provide support to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to conduct feasibility studies for renewable energy systems. $6 million expected to be available, up to 150 awards anticipated. Responses due 7/31/09. For more info, including state specific contacts, go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=47628&mode=VIEW. Refer to Sol# RDBCP-09-REAP-FEASIBILITY.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture requests proposals for Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements. This program will provide support to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. $51.6 million expected to be available, up to 1,100 awards anticipated. Responses due 7/31/09. For more info, including Regional contacts, go to: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-12178.pdf. Refer to Sol# RDBCP-09-REAP-RES-EEI.

The Student Conservation Association requests proposals for the Green Your School Contest. This is a national competition that awards projects that have, or will, improve the environmental health of the school. $10K available, 3 awards anticipated. Responses due 10/9/09. For more info, go to: http://www.thesca.org/green-your-school.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is accepting applications from organizations interested in initiating a Nature of Learning program in their communities.

The Nature of Learning is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge System’s community-based environmental education initiative. The program uses National Wildlife Refuges as outdoor classrooms to promote a greater understanding of local conservation issues, encourage an interdisciplinary approach to learning, and utilize field experiences and student-led stewardship projects to connect classroom lessons to real world issues. The program also involves a partnership among local schools, community groups, natural resource professionals, and local businesses.

Schools or nonprofit organizations, including “Friends” groups, Cooperative and Interpretive Associations, Audubon Chapters, etc., are eligible to apply for funding. Programs must involve a partnership among a local school(s), community group (e.g., Refuge Support Group), and National Wildlife Refuge. Projects must be completed within eighteen months.

First year start-up grants are available for up to $10,000. Second year follow-up grants of up to $5,000 are available to support continued implementation of the Nature of Learning program. Matching contributions are not required; however, strong preference will be given to applications that leverage the grant award with contributions from project partners.

Via Docuticker.

State, Federal Regulators offer criteria for DOE Smart Grid Stimulus Funding
Source: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

State and federal regulators today outlined a list of criteria for the Department of Energy to consider when it starts providing grant and other funding for Smart Grid projects under the 2009 stimulus bill.

The regulators, members of the Smart Grid Collaborative jointly sponsored by the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), developed the criteria as a consensus for establishing preconditions under which Smart Grid projects would be funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

“Getting a smart grid established in America is very important,” FERC Commissioner Suedeen Kelly said. “We believe we can do this in a way that expands opportunities for consumers while keeping the grid safe, secure and reliable. We want the money that Congress has dedicated to this effort to be put to its best use. The criteria we propose today are a consensus among 19 states and FERC on the best way that DOE can efficiently and effectively fund smart grid demonstration projects.”

+ Full Document (PDF; 23 KB)

Application deadline: April 15, 2009

Help lead the conservation actions needed to shape a greener, healthier future. Apply to become a TogetherGreen Fellow. Each year, 40 new Fellows will get broad-based training, assistance and opportunities to help them conduct their own innovative, results-oriented conservation projects, serve as conservation role models, inspire and engage diverse audiences and communities, build leadership skills and connect with other U.S. and international conservation leaders. Applicants may be budding volunteer leaders or mid-career environmental professionals. They must have a passion for conservation, the desire to learn and grow and a commitment to making a difference. http://www.togethergreen.org/People/Fellows.aspx

Read the full story in Water Efficiency.

Today the Environmental Protection Agency released its official guidance for the portion of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) that includes the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) programs. As you may recall, the ARRA allocated 20 percent of the $6 billion appropriated to the CWSRF and DWSRF programs to green activities such as water efficiency projects. The EPA guidance refers to the funding for these types of projects as the Green Project Reserve. States are required to make a concerted effort to fund activities under the Green Project Reserve.

The Illinois Rain Garden Initiative is designed to empower students and communities to confront local flooding concerns, restore native Illinois prairie habitats, and learn about green solutions to storm water management.  The Lt. Governor’s Office will award 20 grants of $500 each to plant rain gardens.

This year we are pleased to announce that as part of the grant, we will be awarding rain barrels that can be integrated into the rain gardens for a more sustainable project. Eligible organizations include: public institutions, non-profit groups and schools.

For more information and application materials, please visit: www.raingarden.il.gov or contact Jamie Campbell at 312-814-6671.

*** DOE Funding for Alternative Fuels & Clean Cities

The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory, on behalf of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, is seeking applications for projects covering a range of commercial technology deployment and educational activities under the Clean Cities Transportation Sector Petroleum Reduction Technologies Program.

Applications should address only one of the three areas of interest, which are:

1. Refueling Infrastructure for Alternative Fuels
2. Incremental Costs of Dedicated Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFVs)
3. Education and Outreach Workshops for Petroleum Reduction Fuels and Technologies

Up to $6 million is expected to be available, with up to 24 awards anticipated. Responses are due February 27, 2009. For more information, contact Janet Laukaitis at janet.laukaitis@netl.doe.gov or go to https://e-center.doe.gov/iips/faopor.nsf/0ba000b968a07c9885256c3f0067b90d/1a2666e72e53ddbe85257527005b80df?OpenDocument.

Refer to Solicitation #DE-PS26-09NT01236-00.

***Forest Service Funding for Urban Forestry

The U.S. Forest Service requests proposals for the 2009 Urban and
Community Forestry Challenge Cost Share Grant Program. This program will support the establishment of sustainable urban and community forestry projects that have a national or widespread impact and application. A total of $1 million in funds is expected to be available, with up to 12 awards anticipated. The funds will be divided into two main categories: Innovation Grants and Best Practices Grants.

Innovation Grants will focus on one of the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council’s identified priority areas. One or more grants may be awarded from the $500,000 available in this category. Best Practices Grants are smaller grants intended to improve existing or develop new best practices related to urban forestry. A maximum of $50,000 per application can be awarded from the $500,000 available in this category.

Responses are due February 17, 2009. For more information, contact Nancy Stremple at nstremple@fs.fed.us or go to http://www.fs.fed.us/ucf/nucfac. Refer to Solicitation #USDA-FS-2009.

ESTCP is seeking innovative environmental technology demonstrations as candidates for funding. The solicitation for the FY 2010 ESTCP program was released on January 8, 2009. This solicitation is open to both federal and non-federal organizations. The due date for all pre-proposals is March 5, 2009. More specific information about the solicitation is available under the Opportunities option.

WEBINAR FOR THE ESTCP SOLICITATION – JANUARY 15. Through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Technology Innovation Program, ESTCP Director Dr. Jeffrey Marqusee will conduct an online seminar “ESTCP Funding Opportunities” on January 15, 2009, from 2:00-4:00 PM EST. This “how to play” briefing will offer valuable information for those who are interested in new funding opportunities within ESTCP. During the online seminar, participants may ask general questions about the funding process, the current ESTCP FY 2010 solicitation, and the proposal submission process. To learn more about this online seminar or to register, visit www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/estcpfunding.

Deadline: February 1, 2009; June 1, 2009; and October 15, 2009

The NEA Foundation (http://www.neafoundation.org/) supports a variety of efforts by teachers, education support professionals, and higher education faculty and staff to improve student learning in public schools, colleges, and universities across the United States. The foundation is accepting applications for the following grant programs:

The Learning & Leadership Grants program provides opportunities for teachers, education support professionals, and higher education faculty and staff to engage in high-quality professional development and lead their colleagues in professional growth. Grants to individuals fund participation in professional development experiences such as summer institutes and action research. Grants to groups fund collegial study, including study groups, action research, lesson study, and mentoring experiences for faculty or staff new to an assignment. The grant amount is $2,000 for individuals and $5,000 for groups.

The Student Achievement Grants program provides grants of $5,000 each to improve the academic achievement of students by engaging in critical thinking and problem solving that deepen knowledge of standards-based subject matter. The work should also improve students’ habits of inquiry, self-directed learning, and critical reflection. Proposals for work resulting in low-income and minority student success with honors, advanced placement, and other challenging curricula are particularly encouraged. Grant funds may be used for resource materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, software, and scholars-in-residence.

Applicants must be practicing U.S. public school teachers in grades K-12, public school education support professionals, or faculty and staff at public higher education institutions.

MTV Switch and Ashoka GenV have launched the Dream It. Do It. Challenge. Come up with a creative idea for how you can make our planet cooler or greener and MTV Switch will help you launch your own environmental project or “venture.” Ashoka GenV will give you support and even seed funding of up to US$1,000 to put your ideas into action.

The best projects may be featured in a half hour MTV documentary scheduled for Earth Day 2009. Also, The Lemelson Foundation will award five project leaders a trip to Boston, USA to take part in a roundtable discussion on climate change at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Eligibility Criteria

1. The challenge is open to all youth between the ages of 12 and 20 in North America and Europe and 12 and 24 everywhere else. (Proof of age will be required before grants can be approved.)
2. Each participant is limited to one grant
3. Each participant will be required to submit an action plan showing what activities will be carried out and how the grant will be spent.
4. Each participant will need to form a team with at least two other youth to qualify for funding.
5. Participants under age of 18 must have parental or guardian support and approval to receive grants and launch projects.
6. Ideas and action plans should be submitted before December 31, 2008 in English, Spanish, Portuguese or French.

Assessment Criteria

Grants will be awarded to projects that best meet the following criteria:

1. Innovation – Project includes a new solution or new approach to addressing an environmental issue.
2. Impact – Project has potential to produce significant or measurable impact on the issue it addresses.
3. Sustainability – Project has potential to produce on-going positive change. In other words, it’s not a one time event.
4. Youth-led and youth-driven – Leaders of the project should be between 12 and 20 (North America and Europe) and 12 and 24 (everywhere else).

General Guidelines

1. Deadline – The last date to submit a project idea is December 31, 2008.
2. Grants – Up to 25 grants will be awarded for this challenge.
3. Entries – Submit an idea first. If your idea meets our criteria (see above), we will send you an application (an “action plan”) to apply for a grant. We welcome all ideas, even if they are similar to ideas other youth have submitted.

Read the press release from The Carbon Trust.

The Carbon Trust today launches the Algae Biofuels Challenge with an ambitious mission: to commercialise the use of algae biofuel as an alternative to fossil based oil by 2020. The Algae Biofuels Challenge is a multi-million pound UK R&D initiative that could see the Carbon Trust commit £3m to £6m of funding in the initial stages.  The Department for Transport recently announced it will be contributing to the funding of this initiative.

Read the press release.

The UPS Foundation, the charitable arm of UPS [NYSE: UPS], today announced five grants totaling more than $1 million to support a variety of environmental programs and organizations worldwide.

The grants, which include funds for planting trees, conservation, youth education and volunteerism, reflect the establishment of environmental stewardship as a new focus area by the Foundation.

The new grant awards include:

• $300,000 to The Nature Conservancy to assist with tree-planting efforts in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, conservation initiatives for rural residents in the Yunnan Forest in China and reforestation efforts in East Africa’s Highland Forest.
• $300,000 to the Earth Day Network to support its national civic engagement project to educate youth about environmental issues and provide teachers with lesson plans and environmental impact online tools.
• $220,000 to Keep America Beautiful (KAB) to support its environmental education initiatives, including the creation of KAB affiliates on college campuses, support for a community volunteer initiative, a challenge grant for KAB affiliates and an environmental partnership grant for UPS Global Volunteer Month to encourage employee participation.
• $200,000 to the National Park Foundation to fund youth-engagement programs, including First Bloom, which provides children in urban locations (grades 4 through 6) with hands-on environmental learning.
• $50,000 to the Arbor Day Foundation to plant one tree for each of the first 50,000 UPS customers to begin using UPS electronic billing solutions, which eliminate the need for paper invoices.

At the beginning of 2008, The UPS Foundation adopted a new global philanthropic strategy to strengthen its impact and better leverage UPS’s capabilities. In addition to the new environmental sustainability focus area, the Foundation’s other focus areas include community safety, non-profit effectiveness, economic and global literacy and diversity.

Solicitation Closing Date: December 23, 2008: 4:00 pm Eastern Time

SUMMARY OF PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Synopsis of Program:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as part of the P3 Award Program, is seeking applications proposing to research, develop, and design solutions to real world challenges involving the overall sustainability of human society. The P3 competition highlights the use of scientific principles in creating innovative projects focused on sustainability. The P3 Awards program was developed to foster progress toward sustainability by achieving the mutual goals of economic prosperity, protection of the planet, and improved quality of life for its people– people, prosperity, and the planet – the three pillars of sustainability. The EPA offers the P3 competition in order to respond to the technical needs of the world while moving towards the goal of sustainability. Please see the P3 website (http://www.epa.gov/P3) for more details about this program.

Award Information:
Anticipated Type of Award: Grant
Estimated Number of Awards: Approximately 50 awards for Phase I; Approximately 6 awards for Phase II
Anticipated Funding Amount: Approximately $950,000 total for all awards
Potential Funding per Award: Up to $10,000 per Phase I grant for one year including direct and indirect costs. Proposals for Phase I grants requesting an award of more than $10,000 will not be considered. Upon the successful completion of Phase I, Phase I grant recipients will have the opportunity to apply for Phase II funding of up to $75,000 for two additional years including direct and indirect costs (see Background section for more information). Proposals for Phase II grants requesting an award of more than $75,000 will not be considered. Cost-sharing is not required for either Phase I or Phase II grants.

Eligibility Information:
Public nonprofit institutions/organizations (limited to degree-granting public institutions of higher education) and private nonprofit institutions/organizations (limited to degree-granting private institutions of higher education) located in the U.S. are eligible to apply. See full announcement for more details.

Read the press release.

Do you have an idea to change the world? Now’s your chance! The Brita Products Company is challenging college students nationwide to put their environmental passion into action and develop programs to green their campuses.

The College FilterForGood Eco-Challenge aims to empower eco-conscious students to create projects that improve the environment on their campuses. Five college students will be chosen to each receive a $10,000 grant to bring their ideas to life. Proposals will be evaluated on creativity, environmental benefit, educational impact and best use of time and budget. Applications can be submitted by individual students on their own or as a part of a club or class.

Read the press release.

Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer today announced that 639 individuals and businesses in 43 states and the Virgin Islands have been selected to receive $35 million in grants and loan guarantees for renewable energy systems or to improve energy efficiency in farm and business operations.

• Complete list of recipients

Read the full story in Philanthropy News Digest.

Google.org, the philanthropic arm of the Internet search giant, has announced $10.7 million in grants to three organizations working to advance Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) energy technology.

While the traditional geothermal approach relies on finding naturally occurring pockets of steam and hot water, EGS expands the potential of geothermal energy by replicating these conditions, fracturing hot rock, circulating water through the system, and using the resulting steam to produce electricity in a conventional turbine. A recent MIT report on EGS estimates that just 2 percent of the geothermal heat located in the continental United States at a depth between three and ten kilometers — within the range of current drilling technology — is the equivalent of more than 2,500 times the country’s total annual energy use.

As your students return to campus, provide them with an opportunity to make the campus a better place, while building their resumes.

National Wildlife Federations Campus Ecology program awards fellowship grants to undergraduate and graduate students who are committed to reduce their campus carbon footprint; projects including: greenhouse gas inventories, climate action plans, energy conservation and efficiency, habitat restoration, convening climate action gatherings and more will be considered.

Grant awards:
Up to $2000 for Undergraduate Students
Up to $5000 for Graduate Students
Fall deadline: October 1, 2008. Additional submission deadlines throughout the year. Visit www.nwf.org/fellows for details about the Campus Ecology Fellowship program.

Proposals due: October 24, 2008
Proposals Selected: December 15, 2008
Funding available: May 1, 2009 through August 31, 2010

The Illinois Water Resources Center (IWRC) requests proposals to fund one graduate student from a college or university in Illinois who is conducting research that will lead to publication of a thesis related to Illinois water resources issues.

Graduate students from colleges and universities in Illinois who are enrolled as of August 2009 are eligible to apply. IWRC will fund one M.S. or Ph.D. student at 50% for 9-12 months to conduct research on Illinois water resources issues. Funding is available for a 9 to 12 month period between May 2009 and August 2010.

IWRC will pay the departmental student stipend rate, fringe benefits, tuition, and fees for the selected student. The student’s department must provide travel, supplies, space, equipment, and all indirect costs, which can be used as match. The matching requirement for IWRC grants is two non-federal dollars for each federal dollar received.

The proposal must be submitted by a faculty member. The graduate student to be funded should be listed as a co-PI. Proposals to support unknown future graduate students will not be considered.