NOFO #IFA-GRID-03 Federal Formula Grant Funding: Section 40101(d) – Preventing Outages and Enhancing the Resilience of the Electric Grid

Who can apply

Eligibility Per the US DOE minimum requirements, proposed projects must meet the requirements described below. 1. Eligible Entities “Eligible Entities” for subawards under this funding, pursuant to BIL Sec. 40101(d), include: •An electric grid operator, •An electricity storage operator, •An electricity generator, •A transmission owner or operator, •A distribution provider, •A fuel supplier, and •Other relevant entity, as may be determined by the Secretary of Energy. “Other relevant entity.” The State of Illinois has requested in its application and is working with the Secretary of Energy to approve the following additional eligible recipients: •Non-profit organizations, •Units of local government, •Critical facilities, •Illinois Municipal Utilities Association (IMUA) and •Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives (AIEC) as eligible recipients. “Small Utility” is an entity selling not more than 4,000,000 MWh of electricity per year. “Large Utility” is an entity selling more than 4,000,000 MWh of electricity per year. 2. Eligible Activities Eligible activities under this NOFO are limited to monitoring and control technologies as noted in this NOFO. 3. Non-Eligible Activities A subaward to an eligible entity under this grant Program may not be used for: A. construction of a a. new electric generating facility; or b. large-scale battery-storage facility that is not used for enhancing system adaptive capacity during disruptive events; or B. cybersecurity. 4. Non-Eligible Costs Project costs (including both federal and costs match portions) must be allowable in compliance with ALRD and 2 CFR Part 200/48 CFR Part 31.2, as applicable to the applicant. Unallowable costs under this NOFO, among others, include: a. acquisition of land or easements, except for improvements to real property for the purpose of grid hardening or resilience that are not considered acquisition of real property as noted in the ALRD; b. costs associated with any activities that are not eligible activities under this NOFO; c. costs associated with activities which encourage or support political activities such as the collection and dissemination of information related to potential, planned or pending legislation; d. lobbying costs and any costs to influence or attempt to influence, directly or indirectly, congressional action on any legislative or appropriation matters; e. cost that support or oppose union organizing, whether directly or as an offset for other funds; f. foreign travel costs or costs related to any work performed outside of the United States (unless a foreign work waiver has been granted by DOE) or costs prohibited as related to Foreign Government-Sponsored Talent Recruitment Programs; g. conference expenditures; h. cost share that includes: • federal funding or property (e.g., federal grants, equipment owned by the federal government); or • expenditures that were reimbursed under a separate federal program.