Farm Energy Funding Opportunities

This competitive grant solicitation by the California Energy Commission through its Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program is soliciting technologies and/or scientific advances that will significantly reduce energy and water use in California’s food and dairy processing industries. This solicitation seeks new technologies, improvement in current technologies, fuel substitution or process optimization. This is an open solicitation seeking proposals from public, private and individual entities actively involved in electricity and natural gas efficiency research, development and demonstration. Approximately $2 million of FY 2007/08 PIER Electricity funding is available under this solicitation for grant awards. A maximum of $400,000 is available for each approved proposal.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) requests applications from qualified photovoltaic (PV) installers for eligibility in a financial incentive program for approved PV systems installed for eligible New York State customers. Incentives are available to customers who use an eligible installer for new grid-connected, end-use PV systems for all end uses and sectors. Incentives are capped at 10 kW for Residential customers and 50 kW for Non-Residential customers. Approximately $13.8 million is available for PV incentives until 2009. Incentives are granted on a first-come, first-served basis. In general, incentives for a typical residential or commercial system cover approximately 40-45% of the installed cost of a PV System.

The intent of this funding opportunity from the Department of Energy will be to select integrated biorefinery projects that have the necessary technical and economic performance data that validates readiness for the next level of scale up. This FOA contains two topic areas: Topic Area 1 requests applicants to operate an integrated pilot-scale biorefinery in order to validate the technology. Topic Area 2 requests that applicants design, construct and operate an integrated demonstration-scale biorefinery to validate the technology. Award ceiling is $40 million.

In May 2008, DOE issued the “20% Wind Energy by 2030” report. The report found that the Nation possesses affordable wind energy resources far in excess of those needed to enable a 20% scenario. However, major challenges need to be overcome and require action for 20% wind to be possible. An estimated $6 million is available under this competitive funding opportunity, in awards of up to $500,000, for addressing identified challenges.

This is a competitive grant solicitation for renewable-based energy secure communities research, development, and demonstration, sponsored by the California Energy Commission’s Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) Renewables Program. The integrated RE projects are targeted to be organized by leading California communities in collaboration with other private and public sector partners. Resulting integrated technical solutions will be replicable by sustainable communities in California, especially those aiming for zero net energy purchases, zero carbon, zero waste, sustainable transportation fuels, sustainable water, and sustainable local ecology.

California Energy Commission has issued a Program Opportunity Notice for Energy and Environmental Research in the fields of Air Quality, Aquatic Resources, Terrestrial Resources, and Community Scale Energy Research. The purpose of this solicitation is to select the Applicants best qualified to carry out public interest research on the interaction of energy and the environment in California. The goal of the Public Interest Energy Research Environmental Research Area (PIER-EA) is to develop cost-effective approaches to evaluating and resolving the environmental effects of energy production, delivery and use in California.

The Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation invests in clean energy development and land preservation efforts, working with communities and residents to improve environmental quality in Illinois. The Foundation funds projects in three core program areas: improving energy efficiency, developing renewable energy resources, and preserving and enhancing natural areas and wildlife habitat throughout Illinois. For competitive grants a letter of inquiry must be submitted by either January 20, 2009 or July 20, 2009.

The Wood Education and Resource Center (WERC), Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for cost-share demonstration projects that assist the WERC in meeting its mission of facilitating interaction and information exchange with the forest products industry that will enhance opportunities for sustained forest products production in the eastern hardwood forest region. Priority will be given to projects that accomplish one or more of the following items: • Maintain the economic competitiveness of primary and secondary hardwood industries. • Increase the knowledge and information about how the hardwood industry can contribute to the green building movement. • Increase the knowledge, information, and promotion of how carbon sequestration by wood products can provide a competitive edge to a sustainable hardwood industry. • Develop technology and markets to address urgent issues on a global or domestic scale. • Increase the sustainable use of woody biomass to meet our Nation’s needs for energy and raw materials. Projects may also develop or maintain local markets and forest industry infrastructure by using woody biomass for both energy and value-added products.

The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science, Office of Biological and Environmental Research (OBER), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES), announce their interest in receiving applications for genomics-based research that will lead to the improved use of biomass and plant feedstocks for the production of fuels such as ethanol or renewable chemical feedstocks. Specifically, applications are sought for fundamental research on plants that will improve biomass characteristics, biomass yield, or sustainability. Applicants from U.S. Colleges and universities, non-profit organizations, for-profit commercial organizations, state and local governments, and unaffiliated individuals are eligible.

SARE Educational Sponsorships provide financial support for educational events that advance SARE grantees or project results to beginning, minority, underserved and/or commodity producers and/or the extension and educational professionals that serve them. Sponsorships are available in the amount of $500-$5000. Sponsorships are available to organizations or individuals providing educational services to farmers, ranchers, or agricultural professionals. Rolling applications are accepted on a quarterly schedule with the following deadlines: December 15, April 15, July 15, October 15.

Up to $2,500 is available to support a workshop or event that promotes the production, commercialization, and use of biomass in Michigan. Workshops/events must take place in Michigan and occur between October 1, 2008 and June 15, 2009. Public and non-profit organizations are eligible to submit proposals. Funds will be awarded on a first come, first serve basis until all money is distributed.

Bioheat is a domestically produced, renewable fuel that can be manufactured from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled restaurant greases. In 2007 Maryland passed a Bio-Heating Oil Tax Credit. The statute provides for a $0.03/gallon tax credit up to $500 for individuals and corporations that purchase Bio-Heating Oil for the purpose of space and water heating. The statute defines Bio-Heating oil as at least 5% biodiesel. Program applications are available online.

The Colorado Governor's Energy Office will partner with facilities or farm owners and anaerobic digester experts in supporting the costs of a feasibility study. The intention of this program is not for GEO to incur the total costs of the feasibility study, but rather share a percentage of the expense with other entities. The feasibility study will include a site visit from a technical consultant to assess the potential of the project site. If the feasibility study indicates a likelihood of success for the project, GEO will continue to explore ways in which support can be given. GEO support may be in the form of project implementation funding, leveraging outside fiscal support or technical advice.

The DTE Energy Foundation's LEAD Program focuses its contributions and involvement to support programs dedicated to developing the human and economic potential of the communities the company serves. Nonprofits in communities where DTE Energy does business may apply for grants in the areas of leadership, environment, education, and development (among others) by the annual deadlines of December 15, April 15, and August 15.

The Iowa Energy Center announces its solicitation for Conference and
Small Demonstration Projects for FY 08-09. This RFP seeks to provide
funds to develop and present conferences, workshops, exhibits, events
and small demonstrations in support of the Center’s mission areas of
energy efficiency and renewable energy. Proposals will be accepted on a
continuous basis from July 1, 2008 – June 30, 2009.

Of the $70 million in funding committed to the Biofuels Initiative at the University of Tennesee, more than $8 million has been set aside for a farmer incentive program. This program will pay farmers on a per acre basis to produce switchgrass in advance of a mature market for the new energy crop. Plans are to plant an additional 2,000-3,000 acres in spring 2009 and another 2,000-3,000 acres in spring 2010. Applications will be accepted for switchgrass production in the pilot program for the 2009 and 2010 planting seasons. The 2008 contracts paid farmers a rate of $450 per acre per year to grow switchgrass for a three-year term. The farmers are supplied with high quality switchgrass seed and technical assistance from UT Extension.

Biodiesel produced in Missouri by a facility that is at least 51 percent owned by Missouri agricultural producers or which uses feedstock that is at least 80 percent of Missouri origin, is eligible for a grant in any fiscal year equal to thirty cents per gallon for the first 15 million gallons produced from Missouri agricultural products and ten cents per gallon for the next 15 million gallons. To obtain a grant from the fund, biodiesel producers must be eligible, licensed, and must submit a formal grant application.

CCEF’s On-Site Renewable Distributed Generation (OSDG) Program is a financial support program for renewable energy installations at Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional facilities in Connecticut. Through this program, CCEF will offer financial support to buy down the cost of renewable energy generating equipment. The level of support for individual awards will vary based on the specific technology, efficiency and economics of the installation. The total available grant amount for a given project will be limited to $4 million ($850,000 for PV projects). Applications for this Program will be accepted on a rolling submission basis.

Projects that use solar, wind, hydro, geothermal or biomass to produce energy, displace energy, or reclaim energy from waste may qualify for a tax credit. Renewable resource projects must replace at least 10 percent of the electricity, gas, or oil used. The energy can be used on site or sold. The tax credit is 50 percent of eligible project costs.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture will award up to $150,000 for the 2009 Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant Program. Competitive grants for up to $25,000 are awarded to individuals or groups for on-farm sustainable agriculture research or demonstration projects in Minnesota. The program objectives are to research and demonstrate the profitability, energy efficiency, and benefits of sustainable agriculture practices and systems from production through marketing.

North Dakota's Renewable Energy Program provides financial assistance as appropriate to foster the development of renewable energy, including wind, biofuels, biomass, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, and hydrogen. As appropriate, the North Dakota Industrial Commission shall provide funding for research, development, marketing and educational projects or activities. Grant round deadline dates will be May 1 and November 1 of each year.

The focus of the Renewable Energy Business Development Grant Program is to support domestic renewable energy production through the development of renewable energy businesses and component manufacturers. Projects that develop and expand the renewable energy sector and corresponding supply chain while improving the economy of the State through new business development are being targeted.

WNC AgOptions, a program established in 2004 and managed by N. C. Cooperative Extension Centers in the West District, will continue assisting mountain farmers transitioning from tobacco and other crops through 2011. Awards totaling $675,000 over a three-year period will be granted to western NC farmers. This grant was put in place to lessen the economic distress caused by soaring input and energy costs and the lingering effects of the state's drought conditions. Current and former tobacco growers are the primary audience for the program; however, any farmers living in tobacco-dependent communities are eligible. In 2009, WNC AgOptions will award demonstration contracts valued at $3,000, $6,000 or $9,000 through a competitive application and review process.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), administrator of the New York State Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) program, is accepting applications to receive financial incentives to support the purchase, installation, and operation of Anaerobic Digester Gas (ADG)-to-Electricity Systems. $11 million is available for financial incentives to support the installation and operation of anaerobic digester gas (ADG)-to-electricity systems in New York State, with up to $1 million available per ADG System. Funding is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Utah offers a state income tax credit for renewable energy systems. The investment tax credit for residential systems is 25 percent of the equipment and installation cost up to a maximum of $2,000. Commercial systems receive a 10 percent investment tax credit up to a maximum of $50,000. The technologies included are: solar electric, solar thermal, passive solar, wind, hydropower, ground source heat pumps, water source heat pumps, direct use geothermal, geothermal for electricity, and biomass.