Pennsylvania Grid Resilience Grants (PA GRG) Program

Pennsylvania Grid Resilience Grants (PA GRG) Program is sponsored by U.S. Department of Energy (through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection). This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

Pennsylvania Grid Resilience Grant Program | Department of Environmental Protection | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Grid Resilience Grant Program <b>What is the Pennsylvania Grid Resilience Grant Program (GRG)?

</b></p>\r\n<p>Funded by a state formula grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Section 40101D, titled Preventing Outages and Enhancing the Resilience of the Electric Grid, the GRG program is a funding opportunity to implement resilience measures throughout PA intended to mitigate the impact of electric grid disruptive events.

</p>\r\n<p><b>Round 2 –</b></p>\r\n<p>Approximately $10 million is available for new awards under Round 2 of this competitive grant program.

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is seeking applications for innovative, advanced, and transformative projects throughout PA that will result in a more resilient and reliable electric grid while promoting the expansion of clean energy generation, workforce benefits, and positive outcomes in rural and urban communities. Projects funded will have an initial Period of Performance of five years.

Awards may be extended to span the amount of time necessary for recipients to complete all project efforts, up to ten years. </p>\r\n<p>At least five percent of the program funding is being set aside for eligible entities that sell not more than 4,000,000 MWh of electricity per year. This funding portion is referred to as “Small Utility Set Aside.

”</p>\r\n<p><b>Grant documents</b></p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https://greenport. pa. gov/elibrary/GetDocument?

docId=6465859&DocName=PENNSYLVANIA%20GRID%20RESILIENCE%20GRANTS%20PROGRAM%20ROUND%202%20GUIDANCE%20DOCUMENT. PDF%20%20%3Cspan%20style%3D%22color%3Agreen%3B%22%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%20%3Cspan%20style%3D%22color%3Ablue%3B%22%3E(NEW)%3C%2Fspan%3E%205%2F13%2F2027\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">PA GRG Round 2 Guidance Document</a></li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https://greenport. pa.

gov/elibrary/GetFolder. aspx? FolderID=919027\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Concept Paper Application and Instructions</a></li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https://greenport.

pa. gov/elibrary/GetDocument? docId=6309289&DocName=ROUND%202%20FULL%20APPLICATION%20AND%20INSTRUCTIONS.

DOCX%20%20%3Cspan%20style%3D%22color%3Agreen%3B%22%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%20%3Cspan%20style%3D%22color%3Ablue%3B%22%3E(NEW)%3C%2Fspan%3E\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Full Application and Instructions</a> (DOCX)</li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https://greenport. pa. gov/elibrary/GetDocument?

docId=9774774&DocName=DETAILED%20BUDGET%20-%20PENNSYLVANIA%20GRID%20RESILIENCE%20GRANT. XLSX%20%20%3Cspan%20style%3D%22color%3Agreen%3B%22%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%20%3Cspan%20style%3D%22color%3Ablue%3B%22%3E(NEW)%3C%2Fspan%3E\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Detailed Budget - PA GRG</a> (XLSX)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n"}}"> What is the Pennsylvania Grid Resilience Grant Program (GRG)?

Funded by a state formula grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Section 40101D, titled Preventing Outages and Enhancing the Resilience of the Electric Grid, the GRG program is a funding opportunity to implement resilience measures throughout PA intended to mitigate the impact of electric grid disruptive events.

Approximately $10 million is available for new awards under Round 2 of this competitive grant program. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is seeking applications for innovative, advanced, and transformative projects throughout PA that will result in a more resilient and reliable electric grid while promoting the expansion of clean energy generation, workforce benefits, and positive outcomes in rural and urban communities.

Projects funded will have an initial Period of Performance of five years. Awards may be extended to span the amount of time necessary for recipients to complete all project efforts, up to ten years. At least five percent of the program funding is being set aside for eligible entities that sell not more than 4,000,000 MWh of electricity per year.

This funding portion is referred to as “Small Utility Set Aside.

” PA GRG Round 2 Guidance Document Concept Paper Application and Instructions Full Application and Instructions (DOCX) Detailed Budget - PA GRG (XLSX) An eligible entity that receives a grant award under the Program is required to match a minimum of 100 percent of the award amount if they are not considered a “Small Utility”, selling not more than 4,000,000 megawatt hours of electricity per year.

</p>\r\n<p>If the eligible entity sells not more than 4,000,000 megawatt hours of electricity per year, the required minimum match will be one third of the award amount. </p>\r\n<p>Matching funds means any new public or private investment in the proposed project made by an eligible applicant. Eligible applicants must provide letters documenting the financial commitment.

Eligible letters and matching fund use are discussed in the application requirements section of the PA GRG Round 2 Guidance Document. </p>\r\n"}}"> An eligible entity that receives a grant award under the Program is required to match a minimum of 100 percent of the award amount if they are not considered a “Small Utility”, selling not more than 4,000,000 megawatt hours of electricity per year.

If the eligible entity sells not more than 4,000,000 megawatt hours of electricity per year, the required minimum match will be one third of the award amount. Matching funds means any new public or private investment in the proposed project made by an eligible applicant. Eligible applicants must provide letters documenting the financial commitment.

Eligible letters and matching fund use are discussed in the application requirements section of the PA GRG Round 2 Guidance Document.

\r\n<li>an electric grid operator;</li>\r\n<li>an electricity storage operator; </li>\r\n<li>an electricity generator; </li>\r\n<li>a transmission owner or operator; </li>\r\n<li>a distribution provider; </li>\r\n<li>a fuel supplier; </li>\r\n<li>and any other relevant entity, as determined by DEP in consultation with DOE.

</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n"}}"> an electric grid operator; an electricity storage operator; an electricity generator; a transmission owner or operator; and any other relevant entity, as determined by DEP in consultation with DOE.

\r\n<li>weatherization technologies and equipment;</li>\r\n<li>fire resistant technologies and fire prevention systems;</li>\r\n<li>monitoring and control technologies;</li>\r\n<li>the undergrounding of electrical equipment;</li>\r\n<li>utility pole management;</li>\r\n<li>the relocation of power lines or the reconductoring of power lines with low sag;</li>\r\n<li>advanced conductors;</li>\r\n<li>vegetation and fuel load management;</li>\r\n<li>the use or construction of infrastructure for enhancing system adaptive capacity during disruptive events, including microgrids and battery storage subcomponents;</li>\r\n<li>Note: These projects are only eligible if used exclusively during disruptive events.

</li>\r\n<li>adaptive protection technologies;</li>\r\n<li>advanced modeling technologies;</li>\r\n<li>hardening of power lines, facilities, substations, or other systems; and</li>\r\n<li>the replacement of old overhead conductors and underground cables.

</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n"}}"> weatherization technologies and equipment; fire resistant technologies and fire prevention systems; monitoring and control technologies; the undergrounding of electrical equipment; the relocation of power lines or the reconductoring of power lines with low sag; vegetation and fuel load management; the use or construction of infrastructure for enhancing system adaptive capacity during disruptive events, including microgrids and battery storage subcomponents; Note: These projects are only eligible if used exclusively during disruptive events.

adaptive protection technologies; advanced modeling technologies; hardening of power lines, facilities, substations, or other systems; and the replacement of old overhead conductors and underground cables.

\r\n<li>Construction of a new –<ul>\r\n<li>electric generating facility; or</li>\r\n<li>large scale battery storage facility that is not used for enhancing system adaptive capacity during disruptive events; or</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n<li>Cybersecurity.

</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<p>Additionally, the following type of expenditures are ineligible:</p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Costs associated with preparation of the PA GRG application; land acquisition; permits; landscaping; advertising; business start up costs; indirect costs (i.e., general administrative and overhead, contingency funds, etc.); travel, lodging, subsistence; conference or meeting expenses including catering, conference equipment and room rental.

</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n"}}"> electric generating facility; or large scale battery storage facility that is not used for enhancing system adaptive capacity during disruptive events; or Additionally, the following type of expenditures are ineligible: Costs associated with preparation of the PA GRG application; land acquisition; permits; landscaping; advertising; business start up costs; indirect costs (i.e., general administrative and overhead, contingency funds, etc.); travel, lodging, subsistence; conference or meeting expenses including catering, conference equipment and room rental.

\r\n<li>All Concept Papers, Full Application and Supporting Documentation must be submitted online through the Commonwealth's <a href=\"https://grants. pa. gov/Login.

aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Enterprise eGrants system</a> (eGrants). Emails, hard copy mailings, or faxes will not be accepted. </li>\r\n<li>Applicants must submit a Concept Paper to be eligible to submit a Full Application.

</li>\r\n<li>The Concept Paper, Full Application, and required attachments must be complete, and the application must include all applicable items as outlined in the appropriate application instructions, and listed below. </li>\r\n<li>Please see Guidance Document, Concept Paper Instructions, and Full Application Instructions for more detailed information. </li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https://files.

dep. state. pa.

us/Energy/OfficeofPollutionPrevention/IIJA/PA_GRG_Concept_Paper_application_instructions. pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">PA GRG Enterprise eGrants System Step-by-Step Guide: Instructions for the Online Application</a> (PDF) - This is a guide for setting up an account and submitting your documents.

</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n"}}"> All Concept Papers, Full Application and Supporting Documentation must be submitted online through the Commonwealth's Enterprise eGrants system (eGrants). Emails, hard copy mailings, or faxes will not be accepted. Applicants must submit a Concept Paper to be eligible to submit a Full Application.

The Concept Paper, Full Application, and required attachments must be complete, and the application must include all applicable items as outlined in the appropriate application instructions, and listed below. Please see Guidance Document, Concept Paper Instructions, and Full Application Instructions for more detailed information.

PA GRG Enterprise eGrants System Step-by-Step Guide: Instructions for the Online Application (PDF) - This is a guide for setting up an account and submitting your documents. What Documents Do I Have To Submit?

Concept Paper</h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><b>Concept Paper Supplemental Form </b>- This Form can be found within the Concept Paper Instructions Document above</li>\r\n<li><b>Detailed Concept paper </b>- This should explain what the scope of your project is and how this project will impact each of the categories listed in the guidance document/full application.

</li>\r\n<li><b>Small Utility Verification</b> – If applicable</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>Full Application</h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><b><a href=\"https://greenport. pa. gov/elibrary/GetDocument?

docId=6309289&DocName=ROUND%202%20FULL%20APPLICATION%20AND%20INSTRUCTIONS.

DOCX%20%20%3Cspan%20style%3D%22color%3Agreen%3B%22%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%20%3Cspan%20style%3D%22color%3Ablue%3B%22%3E(NEW)%3C%2Fspan%3E\" target=\"_blank\">Full Application Supplemental Form</a> </b>- This Form can be found within the Full Application Instructions Document</li>\r\n<li><b>Detailed Project Narrative</b></li>\r\n<li><b>Detailed Budget </b>- This should clearly show all expenditures for both grant and match.

Depending on the cost of a contractor or an individual piece of equipment additional documentation may be requested as stated in the document. <b>Note: Ensure Consideration of Davis Bacon Act requirements if applicable, for more information on this budget requirement please see the full application instructions. </b></li>\r\n<li><b>Letters of Commitment </b>- The Letter of Commitment must state the exact amount committed to the match.

</li>\r\n<li><b><a href=\"https://files. dep. state.

pa. us/Energy/OfficeofPollutionPrevention/GRG/Environmental_Questionaire. pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Environmental Questionnaire (NETL Form 451.

-1--1-3 P. 1)</a></b><ul>\r\n<li>Along with the Questionnaire Adequate Maps of the Project site will have to be submitted. NETL recommends Google Earth in order to provide sufficient detail.

</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n<li><b>National Policy Requirement Waivers</b> - If Applicable</li>\r\n<li><b>Small Utility Verification (FORM EIA 861)</b> – If Applicable</li>\r\n<li><b style=\"font-size: 0.

875rem;\">Community Support Letters</b> (Optional)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n"}}"> Concept Paper Supplemental Form - This Form can be found within the Concept Paper Instructions Document above Detailed Concept paper - This should explain what the scope of your project is and how this project will impact each of the categories listed in the guidance document/full application.

Small Utility Verification – If applicable Full Application Supplemental Form - This Form can be found within the Full Application Instructions Document Detailed Project Narrative Detailed Budget - This should clearly show all expenditures for both grant and match. Depending on the cost of a contractor or an individual piece of equipment additional documentation may be requested as stated in the document.

Note: Ensure Consideration of Davis Bacon Act requirements if applicable, for more information on this budget requirement please see the full application instructions. Letters of Commitment - The Letter of Commitment must state the exact amount committed to the match. Environmental Questionnaire (NETL Form 451.

-1--1-3 P. 1) Along with the Questionnaire Adequate Maps of the Project site will have to be submitted. NETL recommends Google Earth in order to provide sufficient detail.

National Policy Requirement Waivers - If Applicable Small Utility Verification (FORM EIA 861) – If Applicable Community Support Letters (Optional) Concept Papers will be received any time after the grant opening date of June 2, 2025, until the deadline of August 8, 2025, at 11. 59 PM*. All Concept Papers must be submitted online through the Commonwealth's <a href=\"https://grants.

pa. gov/Login. aspx\">Enterprise eGrants system</a>.

Emails, hard copy mailings, or faxes will not be accepted. </p>\r\n<p>Full Applications will be received any time after the second grant opening date of September 1, 2025, until the deadline of November 6, 2025, at 12:00 PM*. All Full Applications must be submitted online through the Commonwealth's <a href=\"https://grants.

pa. gov/Login. aspx\">Enterprise eGrants system</a>.

</p>\r\n"}}"> Concept Papers will be received any time after the grant opening date of June 2, 2025, until the deadline of August 8, 2025, at 11. 59 PM*. All Concept Papers must be submitted online through the Commonwealth's Enterprise eGrants system .

Emails, hard copy mailings, or faxes will not be accepted. Full Applications will be received any time after the second grant opening date of September 1, 2025, until the deadline of November 6, 2025, at 12:00 PM*. All Full Applications must be submitted online through the Commonwealth's Enterprise eGrants system .

How Will the Project Be Evaluated?

The following criteria is what will be evaluated:</p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Targeting Investments to Worst Performing Circuits</li>\r\n<li>Improving Grid Reliability and Resilience</li>\r\n<li>Increasing Economic Resilience</li>\r\n<li>Ensuring Workforce Benefits</li>\r\n<li>Improving Environmental Benefits and Decreasing Greenhouse Gases (GHGs)</li>\r\n<li>Improving Outcomes in Rural and Urban Communities</li>\r\n<li>Project Readiness</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p>For more information or to see the metrics that will be reviewed please see the Guidance Document.

</p>\r\n"}}"> The following criteria is what will be evaluated: Targeting Investments to Worst Performing Circuits Improving Grid Reliability and Resilience Increasing Economic Resilience Ensuring Workforce Benefits Improving Environmental Benefits and Decreasing Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) Improving Outcomes in Rural and Urban Communities For more information or to see the metrics that will be reviewed please see the Guidance Document.

Other Considerations Before You Apply As a Federally Funded Grant, the Davis Bacon Act will apply to <u>most</u> projects please ensure that you are knowledgeable on if DBA will apply to you and consider both the prevailing wage and weekly payroll requirement in your application as it can have a big impact your expected budget. </p>\r\n<p>Please see the Davis Bacon Frequently Asked Questions sheet below.

</p>\r\n"}}"> As a Federally Funded Grant, the Davis Bacon Act will apply to most projects please ensure that you are knowledgeable on if DBA will apply to you and consider both the prevailing wage and weekly payroll requirement in your application as it can have a big impact your expected budget. Please see the Davis Bacon Frequently Asked Questions sheet below.

Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) Build America Buy America (BABA) As a Federally Funded Grant, Build America Buy America applies to all projects. When creating your application and budget please ensure that this is considered and that either the equipment will be able to comply with BABA or that you are prepared to submit a waiver request.

</p>\r\n<p>For more information on the BABA waivers please visit the following link: <a href=\"https://www. energy. gov/management/doe-buy-america-requirement-waiver-requests\">DOE Buy America Requirement Waiver Requests | Department of Energy</a></p>\r\n"}}"> As a Federally Funded Grant, Build America Buy America applies to all projects.

When creating your application and budget please ensure that this is considered and that either the equipment will be able to comply with BABA or that you are prepared to submit a waiver request.

For more information on the BABA waivers please visit the following link: DOE Buy America Requirement Waiver Requests | Department of Energy Shapiro Administration Awards over $15 Million to Strengthen Rural Electric Grid and Prevent and Shorten Power Outages for Nearly 60,000 Pennsylvanians