HECG NOFO FY2025 Final 12 30 2024 508 compliant.pdf
This is a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) from the USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announcing the FY2025 High Energy Cost Grant Program with anticipated funding of $8-10 million. The grants will fund projects to acquire, construct, extend, upgrade or improve energy generation, transmission, and distribution facilities serving communities where average residential energy costs exceed 275% of the national average. Eligible projects include on-grid and off-grid renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements.
Applications are due by February 28, 2025, with electronic submissions required through Grants.gov by 11:59 PM ET and paper submissions postmarked by 4:30 PM ET. Individual grant awards will range from $100,000 to $3,000,000. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, nonprofits, for-profit businesses, tribes, and individuals, though projects must benefit communities rather than single households. The program operates under CFDA 10.859 and includes priority considerations for rural communities, tribal areas, and areas with extraordinary circumstances. Selected finalists are expected to be determined within 6 months of the application deadline, with a three-year performance period for awarded grants. Administrative costs are capped at 4% of the grant amount.
685KB PDF 12/29/24 Application Guide 2025 Final 12 30 2024.pdf
This is an application guide for the USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS) High Energy Cost Grant Program 2025 funding opportunity (RD-RUS-HECG25), with an application deadline of February 28, 2025. The program will provide up to $10 million in competitive grants to assist communities where average residential energy costs exceed 275% of the national average.
The guide details eligibility requirements, application procedures, and evaluation criteria for projects involving energy generation, transmission, and distribution facilities. Grant awards will range from $100,000 to $3,000,000, with scoring criteria emphasizing project design (65 points) and priority considerations (35 points). Eligible applicants include for-profit/nonprofit organizations, state/local governments, tribal entities, and individuals. Eligible projects include electric system improvements, renewable energy installations, and energy efficiency measures. Administrative expenses are capped at 4% of grant funds. The guide includes detailed worksheets, environmental questionnaires, and required federal forms for application submission through either grants.gov or paper submission to RUS headquarters in Washington, DC.
718KB PDF 12/29/24 Application Guide 2025 Final 12 30 2024 508 comp.pdf
This is an application guide for the FY2025 High Energy Cost Grant Program (RD-RUS-HECG25) administered by USDA Rural Utilities Service, with applications due February 28, 2025. The program will provide up to $10 million in competitive grants to assist communities where average annual residential energy costs exceed 275% of the national average.
The guide details eligibility requirements, application procedures, and evaluation criteria for grants ranging from $100,000 to $3,000,000. Eligible projects include improvements to energy generation, transmission, and distribution facilities; on-grid and off-grid renewable energy systems; and energy efficiency measures. Eligible applicants include state/local governments, tribes, nonprofits, for-profits, and individuals, though projects must benefit communities rather than single entities. Applications will be evaluated on criteria including project design (65 points), rurality (10 points), and other priority considerations (35 points). Administrative costs are capped at 4% of grant funds. The guide includes detailed worksheets, environmental questionnaires, and required federal forms in the appendices.
920KB PDF 12/29/24 HECG NOFO FY 2025-final-12.30.2024.pdf
This is a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) from the USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announcing up to $10 million in competitive High Energy Cost Grants for fiscal year 2025. Applications are due by February 28, 2025, with electronic submissions through Grants.gov due by 11:59 PM ET and paper submissions due by 4:30 PM ET.
The grants will fund projects that assist communities where average residential energy costs exceed 275% of the national average. Eligible projects include energy generation, transmission, and distribution facilities; on-grid and off-grid renewable energy systems; and energy efficiency improvements. Individual grants range from $100,000 to $3,000,000. Eligible applicants include state/local governments, tribal organizations, nonprofits, businesses, and individuals, though projects must benefit communities rather than single households. The program uses a 100-point evaluation system considering technical merit (65 points) and priority considerations (35 points). Award decisions are expected within 6 months of the deadline. Key requirements include compliance with Build America Buy America provisions, environmental reviews, and maintaining active SAM.gov registration. Administrative costs are capped at 4% of grant funds.
597KB PDF 12/29/24 FY2025 Environmental Questionnaire 508 comp.pdf
This is an Environmental Questionnaire (EQ) appendix document for the USDA Rural Utilities Service's (RUS) High Energy Cost Grant Program for FY2025. The questionnaire is a mandatory component of grant applications and requires applicants to assess potential environmental impacts of proposed projects in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).
The document outlines detailed requirements for environmental review across multiple areas including project description/location, land ownership/use, farmlands, wetlands, floodplains, coastal areas, protected species, and historic preservation. Applicants must provide comprehensive mapping, documentation, and analysis for each site affected by construction activities. No construction may begin until RUS grants final environmental approval. The questionnaire emphasizes consultation requirements with various agencies including State Historic Preservation Officers, Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Army Corps of Engineers. Applications without a completed EQ will be deemed incomplete and will not be reviewed or scored. The document provides extensive resources and contact information for completing the environmental review process.
181KB PDF 1/2/25