Massachusetts Program
In August, 2023, the Commonwealth was awarded approximately $9.2M from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under the formula grant opportunity "Preventing Outages and Enhancing the Resilience of the Electric Grid," established by Section 40101d of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also know as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
In collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER), MassCEC developed a proposed program that aims to:
- Identify and fund projects that can improve energy reliability and resilience, while reducing the cost and number of outages for communities and underserved populations
- Support clean energy and decarbonization solutions, including building electrification
- Advance MassCEC and DOER equity, environmental and energy justice priorities
- Create good-paying jobs with the free and fair choice to join a union
In early 2024, MassCEC will post a Request for Proposals soliciting from eligible subawardees applications that align with the Massachusetts Program Narrative. Prior to releasing that RFP, MassCEC is soliciting feedback on draft guidelines for subawards.
Draft Program Guidelines
Feedback Welcome: December 21, 2023 - February 2, 2024
General Background
MassCEC seeks feedback on draft guidelines for subawards from the funding opportunity "Preventing Outages and Enhancing the Resilience of the Electric Grid, Formula Grants to States and Indian Tribes," as defined in section 40101(d) of the IIJA.
The feedback form provided below solicits feedback in areas of interest to MassCEC. However, all feedback and questions are welcome. MassCEC will respond to questions and provide clarification in a public forum with the Final RFP.
Intended Respondents
MassCEC welcomes responses from all stakeholders. In particular, we are hoping to gather perspectives from eligible subawardees, as defined by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and detailed in the Draft Guidelines. We are also seeking perspectives from communities interested in hosting a project. Respondents are welcome to answer all the questions or only a portion of them. At the end of the feedback form is a space to indicate interest in participating in a follow-up conversation with MassCEC staff. Thank you for your time and insights!
Public Records Law
As a public entity, MassCEC is subject to Massachusetts’s Public Records Law, codified at Chapter 66 of the Massachusetts General Laws. Thus, any responses, documentary material, data, or other information received by MassCEC from any person or entity providing feedback is a public record subject to disclosure. Those who elect to submit feedback are responsible for considering the nature of information they submit and shall not send MassCEC any confidential or sensitive information.
How to Provide Input
Stakeholders may respond to an online form or download and email a completed version of a Word document to grid@masscec.com. Stakeholders may also give feedback at office hours sessions.
Office Hours
Please sign up for Net Zero Grid email updates to receive notifications (https://www.masscec.com/subscribe, select “Net Zero Grid”).
Please direct any questions to grid@masscec.com.
Additional Program Materials
Federal Program Background
As part of upgrading and modernizing infrastructure, DOE's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments will address the climate crisis and support efforts to build a clean and equitable energy economy that achieves zero carbon electricity by 2035 and put the United States on a path to achieve net-zero emissions economy-wide by no later than 2050 to benefit all Americans.
"Preventing Outages and Enhancing the Resilience of the Electric Grid” will provide $459 million annually over a period of five years to States and Indian Tribes to improve the resilience of the electric grid against disruptive events. Under the program, the DOE will provide grants to eligible applicants to improve the resilience of their electric grids. These grants offer a unique opportunity to advance the capabilities of States and Indian Tribes to address current and future resilience needs.