Budgets are tight throughout the U.S.; utilities need reliable power and smart grid solutions to keep the power on and prices down in times of crisis. The transition to low-carbon energy, disruptive technologies such as renewables and electric vehicle charging, and regulatory requirements for utilities to reduce their environmental footprints are forcing utilities to transition to smart grid solutions and fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) communications programs. But where will the money come from?
If you want to accelerate your TUNet deployment or bring Tantalus smart grid solutions into your community, don’t let the access to funding be a stumbling block. There are a variety of funding resources that Tantalus can help you access. Our funding consultants will provide your utility with a free review of all available grants.
Contact us today to review your funding options. Our team will help you select and apply for the Smart Grid solution(s) and/or Broadband Infrastructure program(s) that are the best fit for your utility. Click on any of the funding options listed below to see more detail or read our FAQ.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced almost $11 billion in funding that will help rural energy and utility providers bring affordable, reliable clean energy to their communities. These funds are available through the Empowering Rural America (New ERA) and the Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) programs.
Hear from Amanda Wood, our DC-based federal funding consultant, who brings her deep understanding of existing and emerging programs to give you guidance and answer your questions.
Amanda Wood, Becker, Senior Federal Advocacy Director at Becker & Poliakoff, provides an update on the various federal grant funding programs currently available in the United States (and territories) as well as anticipated funding through the implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. We can help your utility apply for the most effective funding source to facilitate your smart grid deployment.
As federal agencies begin to roll out plans for billions in new funding for deployment of smart grid technology as well as for electric vehicle and broadband infrastructure, plan ahead to make sure that you are prepared to compete for and capture your share of funding for your community. We’ll review new funding opportunities, requirements and projected timeline, and also review ongoing federal funding streams.
The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program supports public agencies as they undertake hazard mitigation projects, reducing the risks they face from disasters and natural hazards.
Projected Funding: $1,000,000,000
Allowable Uses:
The American Rescue Plan Act was the third major COVID-19 relief bill passed by Congress, the first under the Biden Administration. It directly funded state, city, and county governments to fill revenue holes caused by the pandemic and invest in projects to boost the economy, with a focus on infrastructure investment.
Projected Funding: $350,000,000,000
Allowable Uses:
Funds support innovative approaches to enhance the reliability and resilience of the nation’s energy infrastructure. This opportunity is expected to spur the development of next-generation tools and technologies that would reduce the risk of a cyber incident disrupting the energy system, including electricity generation, transmission, and distribution. The objective of this program is to enhance the reliability and resilience of the energy infrastructure. In the last round, projects focused on Real Time Intrusion for Energy Delivery Control Systems, Self-Healing Energy Delivery Control Systems, and Innovative Technologies that Enhance Cybersecurity in the Energy Sector.
Projected Funding: $8,000,000
Allowable Uses:
SHSGP supports the implementation of strategies to protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism and other catastrophic events. Grantees are expected to consider the most recent National Preparedness Report, which include cybersecurity, recovery-focused core capabilities, and enhancing the resilience of infrastructure systems.
Projected Funding: $415,000,000
Allowable Uses:
The Economic Development Administration (EDA) provides strategic investments to support economic development and attract private investment through infrastructure.
Projected Funding: $184,000,000 is available annually
Allowable Uses:
HMGP assists in implementing hazard mitigation projects following a Presidential major disaster declaration. FEMA’s hazard mitigation assistance provides funding for long term mitigation measures that reduce disaster losses in the future, including retrofits to utilities and other infrastructure to enhance resistance to natural hazards.
Projected Funding: varies greatly based on annual disaster declarations
Allowable Uses:
Provides resources required for implementation of the National Preparedness System and works toward the National Preparedness Goal of a secure and resilient nation. The EMPG’s allowable costs support efforts to build and sustain core capabilities across the prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery mission areas.
Projected Funding: $355,100,000
Allowable Uses:
The Transmission Infrastructure Program is a federal infrastructure financing program aimed at expanding and modernizing the electric grid. The program’s primary goal is to leverage federal funds to support the development of critical transmission and related infrastructure.
Projected Funding: $3,250,000,000
Allowable Uses:
This program supports smart grid initiatives, communications facilities for energy management, fiber to the meter for increased energy efficiency initiatives, and can aid in the support and deployment of broadband through the use of those facilities implemented for smart grid purposes.
Projected Funding: $5,500,000,000
Allowable Uses:
The Community Development Block Grant Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) Program is an opportunity for grantees to invest in areas impacted by recent disasters to carry out strategic and high-impact activities to mitigate disaster risks and reduce future losses. The program aims to Increase resilience to disasters and reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of loss of life, injury, damage to and loss of property, and suffering and hardship by lessening the impact of future disasters.
Projected Funding: varies greatly based on annual disaster declarations
Allowable Uses:
To bridge the widespread lack of affordable, reliable broadband access across the nation, this program offers grants to public-private partnerships to expand broadband access to every community and home nationwide. Grants are made to covered partnerships between state or local governments and broadband service providers for projects that deploy fixed broadband services to eligible service areas.
Projected Funding: $288,000,000
The American Rescue Plan Act was the third major COVID-19 relief bill passed by Congress, the first under the Biden Administration. It directly funded state, city, and county governments to fill revenue holes caused by the pandemic and invest in projects to boost the economy, with a focus on infrastructure investment.
Projected Funding: $350,000,000,000
Allowable Uses:
The ReConnect program offers grants and financing to facilitate broadband deployment in rural areas of the country that lack access to at least 10/1 Mbps. Funds support the costs of construction, improvement, and acquisition of facilities and equipment to provide broadband service to rural communities.
Projected Funding: $635,000,000
Allowable Uses:
We provide one-on-one service and will walk you and your utility through the process, including:
Contact our funding team at funding@tantalus.com or call us at 919-900-8970.
Tantalus is a technology company dedicated to helping utilities modernize their distribution grids by harnessing the power of data across all their devices and systems deployed throughout the entire distribution grid – from the substation to the EV charger located behind the meter. We offer smart grid solutions across multiple levels: intelligent connected devices, communications networks, data management, enterprise applications and analytics.
