This funding opportunity will have two application review periods. The first in October 2024 and the second in April 2025. More information about the second application period will be announced at the beginning of next year.

Who is eligible?

This program is open to applicants listed below who satisfy the minimum qualifications and are available for work in Washington. Additional applicant eligibility requirements correspond to specific project categories. Eligible entities for awards include: Electric grid operators, Electricity storage operators, Electricity generators, Transmission owners or operators, Distribution providers, Fuel Suppliers and other applicants approved by DOE.

Only utilities with 4,000,000 MWH annual electricity sales or less, as defined by the Department of Energy (DOE), will be eligible to apply for this grant program. However, if there is money left over by the end of the second review period, we may open the opportunity to utilities of all sizes.

What projects are eligible?

Projects that increase the reliability and resiliency of power grids within small utility territories are eligible for this funding. Projects must improve the reliability and resilience of the grid against disruptive events, such as extreme weather, wildfires, and/or natural disasters. Some examples of eligible projects include fire-resistant technologies and fire prevention systems, the undergrounding of electrical equipment, utility pole management, projects that enhance system adaptive capacity, etc. To view the full list of eligible projects, see the Request for Applications (RFA). Other measures as determined or approved by DOE. All applications must be reviewed and approved by DOE before the final award is made.

Which projects are most competitive?

Projects that will be the most competitive will accomplish at a minimum, one of the following:

• Reduce the frequency of electricity service disruptions
• Reduce the duration of outages
• Reduce the number of customers impacted.

What is the timeline?

• August 22^nd: Application opens at 12:00am (midnight) PT
• August 29^th: Pre-application conference #1 at 3:00pm PT – (Registration not needed. Links will be active 5 minutes before meeting start time)
• September 11^th: Pre-application conference #2 at 10:00am PT – (Registration not needed. Links will be active 5 minutes before meeting start time)
• October 24^th, 2024: Completed applications must be submitted by 11:59am PT
• December 2024: Awardees and non-awardees notified
• December 2024 – February 2025: DOE evaluates successful applications for final award approval
• March 2025: Earliest date the contract may be signed

How to apply

The Clean Grid team will publish a Request for Applications (RFA) for each funding opportunity when it opens. The RFA will outline eligibility guidelines, evaluation criteria, and instructions for applying. Commerce will hold a pre-application conference before applications are due for each funding round to answer questions. Questions will also be accepted by email.

Applicants only need to submit one application per project to apply for grant funding, and they may submit applications for multiple projects. Commerce will evaluate each application across all potential programs and match projects to the relevant funding source(s). Applications will submitted on Zoom Grants.

Access the grid resiliency program documents (on Box) for full eligibility, evaluation criteria, application materials, instructions for applying, listening session resources, and weekly Q&A documents.