Energy Transition Community Grants:
Notice of Funding Opportunity At-A-Glance
(See DCEO Grant Webpage, Notice of Funding Opportunity, & Phase I Grant Application for complete information. Download this page as a fact sheet)
The Energy Transition Community Grants were created by the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (Public Act 102-0662) in 2021. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is in charge of the grant, and on Dec. 14, 2022 the first Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) was released.
Grant Uses:
Grants must be used to plan for or address the economic and social impact on the community or region of plant or mine retirement or transition. Examples of eligible uses are included in the NOFO (pg 1) and range from public infrastructure to workforce development to tourism and more.
Two-Phase Application Process:
In Phase 1, eligible local governments will provide an application to the Department that provides basic information about the entity and their eligibility. DCEO will identify whether each Phase 1 applicant is eligible and determine the amount of funds that each entity is eligible for, according to a funding formula (pg 2 of the NOFO). In Phase 2, Phase 1 applicants that have been provided an approved funding amount will prepare a more detailed application with a project narrative and budget on their intended use of the grant award.
Who is Eligible:
Local units of government, including municipalities, counties, school districts, and other taxing districts within 30 miles of a closed or closing plant/mine. Communities must be in an area that contains a fossil fuel power plant or nuclear power plant or coal mine that has closed or has significantly reduced operation within 6 years before the application or will be closed or have operation significantly reduced within 6 years following the application. Eligible applicants may include subgrantees on their application including local units of government, economic development organization, local educational institutions, and community-based groups.
If the eligible applicant is not the host city or village for an eligible plant or coal mine, the applicant must acquire a letter of support from the host city or village. If the mine or plant is in an unincorporated area, the county becomes the “host” and issues the letters of support.
Deadlines and Timeline:
- The deadline for the Phase 1 application is Jan. 20, 2023. Applicants eligible due to a plant or mine closure that occurred in 2016 must provide their Phase 1 application by Dec. 31, 2022.
- The deadline for Phase 2 applications will be April 12, 2023.
- Anticipated start date for awards is May 1, 2023. The period of performance is expected to be one to three years, but may exceed this if needed for a proposed eligible use of grant funds.
More Details:
- Grants will be issued annually to eligible communities.
- An entity must be registered in the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Grantee Portal, https://grants.illinois.gov/portal/, at the time of grant application. The NOFO (pg 3) identifies several requirements that will be verified in the portal.
- DCEO has identified a list of plants/mines in Section H of the NOFO (pg 11) that are within the 12 year window. Other closures may be eligible, and communities are encouraged to apply in Phase 1.
- Prior to submitting a Phase 2 application, grantees will be required to solicit community input and consultation with a diverse set of stakeholders.
Download this page as a fact sheet.
