Resilient Energy for Wastewater Infrastructure Grant Program

Resilient Energy for Wastewater Infrastructure Grant Program is sponsored by Illinois EPA. This program provides funding for projects related to resilient energy for wastewater infrastructure.

Euna Grants - Environmental Protection Agency - Resilient Energy for Wastewater Infrastructure Program Resilient Energy for Wastewater Infrastructure Program Resilient Energy for Wastewater Infrastructure Program Illinois EPA Office of Energy intends to fund the implementation of resilience projects at publicly owned wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs).

Wastewater infrastructure is vital for maintaining public health, environmental safety, economic stability and overall community functionality. Traditionally designed for reliability, these systems encounter new stressors from hazardous weather, aging assets, cyber threats, and population shifts. The REWI Program will fund solar and battery storage projects to increase energy resilience at wastewater treatment plants in Illinois.

By shifting from short-term recovery to long-term preparedness, local governments can enhance the durability of their wastewater systems. Abby Brokaw, Amy Roderick, John R. DeRosa Funding Opportunity Number Assistance Listings Number https://il.

amplifund. com/Public/Opportunities/Details/6b8fc98e-58ed-42c2-8eac-b292cf9db8a9 Federal Or Federal Pass Through Funding Source Description The U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) State Energy Program Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (SEP IIJA) funding provides technical assistance to advance state-led energy initiatives and maximize the benefits of decreasing waste per 10 CFR 420.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) Office of Energy is responsible for the state-level program development and management. Refer to 2 CFR 200, as amended by 2 CFR 910 regulations - Subpart E- Cost Principles and 44 Ill. Admin.

Code Part 7000 Expected Number of Awards Indirect Cost Description To charge indirect costs to a grant, the applicant must have an annually negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA). There are three types of NICRAs: - Federally Negotiated Rate. Organizations that receive direct federal funding may have an indirect cost rate that was negotiated with the Federal Cognizant Agency.

The State of Illinois will accept the federally negotiated rate. The applicant must provide a copy of the federal NICRA. - State Negotiated Rate.

The applicant must negotiate an indirect cost rate with the State of Illinois if they do not have a Federally Negotiated Rate or elect to use the De Minimis rate. - De Minimis Rate. An organization that has never received a Federally Negotiated Rate may elect a de minimis rate of 15% of modified total direct costs (MTDC).

Once established, the de minimis rate may be used indefinitely. The State of Illinois must verify the calculation of the MTDC annually in order to accept the de minimis rate. The indirect cost rate proposal must be submitted to the State of Illinois within 90 days of the award notice.

An applicant has the discretion not to claim payment for indirect costs. Applicants that elect not to claim indirect costs cannot be reimbursed for indirect costs.

Restrictions on Indirect Costs Submission Timeline Additional Information February 11, 2026 - Application period opens April 30, 2026 - Application period closes May 29, 2026 - Award notices distributed July 1, 2026 - Execute Uniform Grant Agreements (UGAs) June 30, 2028 - End of performance period July 30, 2028 - Final payment requests submitted Other Submission Requirements - 50% match required for facilities serving a population greater than 10,000 and not identified as an environmental justice area of concern (either category) - 25% match required for facilities serving a population of 10,000 or less and identified as environmental justice area of concern (does not have to be the entire service area and either environmental justice category is eligible for reduce match) - Uniform State Grant Application - Project Eligibility Criteria - Completed Budget Template - Programmatic Risk Assessment - National Environmental Protection Act Compliance Checklist - Conflict of Interest Disclosure Question Submission Information Question Submission Open Date Question Submission Close Date Question Submission Email Address EPA.

EnergyGrants@Illinois. gov Question Submission Additional Information Use subject line: Illinois REWI Program Technical Assistance Session Technical Assistance Session County Governments, City or township governments, Government Organizations Applicant Eligibility Information Applicants must be registered and pre-qualified through the GATA portal. Applicants must be in good standing with the Secretary of the State of Illinois.

The project must be located in Illinois. The applicant must be a publicly owned wastewater treatment plant. The applicant must be able to provide up-front costs for the project with the understanding that reimbursement for eligible project costs will occur no more frequently than monthly.

Beneficiary Eligibility Information Credentials Documentation Eligibility Information Additional Eligibility Information - The project will improve energy resiliency at the Applicant's WWTP. - The Applicant can meet the match requirement. - The project can be completed by June 30, 2028.

- Applicant can submit final reimbursement request by July 30, 2028. Additional Information URL https://epa. illinois.

gov/topics/energy. html Award Administration Information After Illinois EPA has reviewed applications for eligibility and completed competitive scoring, successful applicants will be notified of an award. Once funding award pre-requisites are completed, the Grant Agreement between the Illinois EPA and the applicant will be provided for grantee signature.

The returned Grant Agreement will be fully executed by the Illinois EPA and a copy returned to the grantee. Only after the Grant Agreement has been signed by the Illinois EPA Director or designee can expenses be incurred for project reimbursement. Any expenses incurred outside the grant period (before or after) are not eligible either as match or for reimbursement related to the grant award.

Administrative and National Policy Requirements This funding opportunity is available through formula grant financial assistance under USDOE's SEP with appropriations provided by the IIJA under Section 40109. Official sources for program requirements include 10 CFR Part 420 (covering SEP), and 2 CFR Part 200, as amended by 2 CFR Part 910 (the USDOE Financial Assistance Rules).

The Grant Funds Recovery Act (30 ILCS 705) also governs all grant awards resulting from this funding opportunity. All grantees will be required to submit quarterly reports to Illinois EPA describing the projects and costs incurred during the reporting periods outlined in the Grant Agreement. Quarterly reports will be due on October 20, January 20, April 20, and July 20 over the duration of the project's performance period.

State Awarding Agency Contacts Illinois EPA |Office of Energy Neither the State of Illinois, nor Illinois EPA is obligated to make any award as a result of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Illinois EPA Office of Energy will accept applications from publicly-owned WWTPs in the State of Illinois.

An entity may not apply for a grant until registered and pre-qualified through the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) website, www. grant. illinois.

gov , Grantee Links Tab. Registration and pre-qualification are required annually. During pre-qualification, verifications are performed including a check of federal Debarred and Suspended and Illinois Stop Payment List status.

An automated email notification to the entity alerts them of "qualified" status and informs how to remediate a negative verification (e.g. inactive UEI, not in good standing with the Secretary of State). A federal Debarred and Suspended status cannot be remediated.

Review and Selection Process Applicants are reviewed based on eligibility, technical merit, impact, and project feasibility, and awarded based on the merit of the following criteria. Category Scoring Criteria Points 1. Project Feasibility and Readiness a.

Energy efficiency assessment · The facility has had an energy efficiency assessment completed by a 3 rd party vendor within the last 5 years. (10 points) · The facility has not had an energy efficiency assessment completed within the last 5 years. (0 points) b.

Energy efficiency upgrades completed · The facility has completed energy efficiency upgrades within the last 5 years. (10 points) · The facility has not implemented any energy efficiency upgrades to the facility within the last 5 years. (0 points) 20 2.

Resiliency Planning · The entity has a complete energy resiliency plan for the WWTP facility and has provided it as part of the application. (30 points) · The entity commits to completing a resiliency plan for the WWTP facility as part of the overall project as demonstrated in the application. (15 points) · The entity does not plan to develop an energy resiliency plan as part of the project.

(0 points) 30 3. Integration of Solar Energy Generation, Battery Backup and Critical Systems Efficiency a. 0.

5 points awarded for each percentage of the facility’s energy to be offset by solar energy production. (up to 50 points) b. Points allocated to battery storage to maintain critical systems operation: · Battery storage proposed as part of the project (15 points) · No battery storage proposed as part of the project (0 points) 65 4.

Environmental Justice, Equity and Community Benefit ( EJ Start ) · Facility’s service area identified for both minority population and low income. (10 points) · Facility’s service area identified for either minority population or low income. (5 points) · Facility does not provide service to an environmental justice area of concern.

(0 points) 10 Anticipated Announcement Dates Applicants will be notified of an award within 60 days of the funding opportunity closing date based on Illinois EPA Office of Energy review.