DOE Implementation Grant

The Department of Energy is offering grants up to $300,000 to small and medium-sized manufacturers to improve energy efficiency. These grants can be used to implement recommendations from energy assessments performed by Industrial Assessment Centers. Below, eligibility criteria is summarized, and more info can be found here:

Open Solicitation

Grant Flyer

Eligibility Criteria 

All applicants must meet the Eligibility Criteria.

Company Eligibility

• Applicant is a manufacturer – that is, an entity that engages in the mechanical, physical, or chemical transformation of materials, substances, or components; or, applicant is a water or wastewater treatment facility.
• ‍Eligible applicants may fall under the following NAICs Codes
  • NAICS Code: 31-33 (Manufacturing)
  • NAICS Code: 1114 (Controlled Environment Agriculture)
  • NAICS Code: 22131-22132 (Water Supply Systems and Sewage Treatment Facilities)

• Applicants had gross annual sales of less than $100 million in the most recently completed fiscal year OR the year in which the assessment was completed (if different)
• Applicant annual energy bills were between $100,000 and $3.5 million in the most recently completed fiscal year OR the year in which the assessment was completed (if different).
• There were fewer than 500 of employees at the assessed plant site in the most recently completed fiscal year OR the year in which the assessment was completed (if different).
• Is the Applicant a domestic entity?
  • To qualify as a domestic entity, the entity must be organized, chartered, or incorporated (or otherwise formed) under the laws of a particular state or territory of the United States; have majority domestic ownership and control; and have a physical place of business in the United States.
    
    

Eligibility Based on IAC Report

• All proposed projects address recommendation(s) made in an IAC or CHP/Onsite Energy TAP assessment conducted since January 1, 2018, or another qualified assessment since January 1, 2021.
• No proposed project efforts have already been implemented.
• Minimum total project(s) implementation cost of $10,000.
  
  

Grant Prioritization

Applicants will be evaluated and prioritized on several other aspects of criteria once they have met all eligibility criteria, and their application is submitted. From Workstream 1 of criteria (Company Qualifications).

Impact and Feasibility (50%)

Are the projects recommended feasible and do they have a positive impact on the environment and the company?

1. Increased Efficiency & Production: Evaluates project's potential to improve factory performance.
2. Reduced Emissions: Focuses on greenhouse gas reduction, prioritizing net-zero goals.
3. Competitiveness & ROI: Assesses if the project enhances competitiveness with good return on investment.
4. Project Management Plan: Checks for a clear and well-resourced plan to implement the project.

Need for Financial Assistance/Cost Sharing (25%)

Does the applicant need financial assistance to carry out the projects?

1. Financial Need: Examines the company's need for grant money considering other funding and project costs.
2. Grant as Supplement: Ensures the grant adds to existing funds, not replaces them.
3. Alternative Funding Efforts: Evaluates if the company has pursued funding from other sources

Community Benefits (25%)

Does the project help the surrounding community? Is the owner of the company responsible and displays acts of integrity? Do they have outstanding partnerships with organizations serving workers facing barriers to employment?

1. Community Impact: Assesses if the project benefits a disadvantaged or energy community.
2. Company & Project Benefits: Considers if the company is a minority/woman/veteran-owned or small business, and if they involve such businesses in the project.
3. Responsible Employer: Evaluates if the company offers good working conditions and supports worker rights.