Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA FS 2012 WBU
Apply for USDA FS 2012 WBU
- The Forest Service in the energy environment natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2012 Hazardous Fuels Woody Biomass Utilization Grant" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.674 Wood Utilization Assistance.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 23, 2012 and posted on Nov 21, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 2, 2012 Extension of timeframe. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $3,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $250,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 15 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) State governments For profit organizations other than small businesses Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Special district governments County governments Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities Private institutions of higher education Independent school districts Small businesses City or township governments.
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Opportunity Summary:
The 2012 Hazardous Fuels Woody Biomass Utilization (WBU) Grant is a U.S. Forest Service funding opportunity designed to move wood-based bioenergy projects from a concept stage toward a buildable, finance-ready plan. Run through the Forest Service State and Private Forestry Technology Marketing Unit at the Forest Products Laboratory, the program focuses specifically on paying for the engineering work that is often missing when communities or businesses try to secure construction financing. The overall goal is to strengthen community safety and resilience by creating practical markets for woody material removed during forest restoration, hazardous fuels reduction, insect and disease mitigation, storm recovery, and thinning of overstocked stands, so that this material can be converted into useful energy rather than left as waste or additional fuel on the landscape.
The grant is not meant to fund construction or equipment purchases directly. Instead, it targets the pre-construction engineering services needed to complete final design and cost analysis for a bioenergy facility using commercially proven technology. In plain terms, the Forest Service is trying to help applicants obtain the kind of professional engineering deliverables that lenders, investors, and other grant programs typically require before they will commit money to build a plant or install a system. The announcement explicitly points out that USDA Rural Development has loan and grant programs that may help with construction, but that applicants often cannot access those resources without solid engineering design documents and credible cost estimates.
Projects supported under this program must use woody biomass as the fuel source and must produce usable energy outputs such as thermal energy (heat/steam), electricity, or liquid or gaseous bioenergy. The solicitation gives clear examples of the kinds of engineering design efforts it expects to support: designing a woody biomass boiler system to generate steam for a sawmill, hospital, or school; designing a non-pressurized hot water biomass system for space heating or similar applications; or producing engineering design work for a biomass power generation facility. The common thread is that the proposal should be about engineering and planning work that meaningfully advances a project to the point where it can compete for and secure construction funding.
From a funding standpoint, the opportunity is a discretionary grant under CFDA 10.674 (Wood Utilization Assistance). The Forest Service anticipated making about 15 awards, supported by an estimated total funding pool of $3,000,000. Individual award amounts were expected to range from $50,000 (award floor) to $250,000 (award ceiling). A cost sharing or matching requirement applies, meaning applicants should be prepared to contribute non-federal funds and/or eligible in-kind support as part of the project budget.
Eligibility is broad and includes many public, private, and nonprofit entities that are positioned to develop or sponsor bioenergy projects. Eligible applicants include state, county, city/township, and special district governments; federally recognized tribal governments; independent school districts; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) and certain nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status); for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits). This wide eligibility reflects the program's community-oriented purpose, since woody biomass energy projects are often developed by partnerships among local governments, schools, hospitals, utilities, tribes, forestry organizations, and private companies.
Key dates for the 2012 cycle show the program was posted November 21, 2011, with an original closing date of March 31, 2012, later extended to April 2, 2012. The program was archived April 30, 2012. Applicants looking for details and supporting materials were directed to the Forest Products Laboratory Technology Marketing Unit website (www.fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu). The point of contact listed for access issues and program questions was Susan LeVan Green, Program Manager, reachable at 608-231-9518 or slevan@fs.fed.us.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the 2012 Hazardous Fuels Woody Biomass Utilization (WBU) Grant?
The 2012 Hazardous Fuels Woody Biomass Utilization (WBU) Grant is a U.S. Forest Service funding opportunity intended to help wood-based bioenergy projects move from an early concept stage to a buildable, finance-ready plan. It is administered through the Forest Service State and Private Forestry Technology Marketing Unit at the Forest Products Laboratory.
What is the main purpose of this grant?
The main purpose is to pay for the pre-construction engineering work that is often required to secure construction financing or other funding. The program focuses on producing professional engineering deliverables such as final design and credible cost analysis for facilities that use commercially proven technology.
What problem is this grant trying to solve for applicants?
Many communities and businesses cannot access construction loans, investments, or other construction-focused grant programs without solid engineering design documents and reliable cost estimates. This grant is meant to fill that gap by funding the engineering services needed to make a project "finance-ready."
Does this grant pay for construction, installation, or equipment purchases?
No. The opportunity is not intended to directly fund construction or equipment purchases. It targets the engineering and planning work that is typically needed before a project can be financed and built.
What types of projects does the WBU Grant support?
The grant supports woody biomass energy projects that are advancing toward implementation by completing pre-construction engineering. Projects must use woody biomass as the fuel source and must produce usable energy outputs such as thermal energy (heat/steam), electricity, or liquid or gaseous bioenergy.
What fuel source is required for projects funded under this program?
Projects supported under this program must use woody biomass as the fuel source.
What kinds of energy outputs are considered eligible?
Eligible outputs include usable thermal energy (heat/steam), electricity, or liquid or gaseous bioenergy.
What are examples of engineering work the solicitation expects to support?
Examples listed include: engineering design of a woody biomass boiler system to generate steam for facilities such as a sawmill, hospital, or school; engineering design of a non-pressurized hot water biomass system for space heating or similar uses; and engineering design work for a biomass power generation facility.
What is the overall community or landscape goal behind the program?
The overall goal is to strengthen community safety and resilience by creating practical markets for woody material removed during forest restoration, hazardous fuels reduction, insect and disease mitigation, storm recovery, and thinning of overstocked stands. This helps convert removed material into useful energy rather than leaving it as waste or additional fuel on the landscape.
What kind of technology is expected for supported projects?
The grant is aimed at projects using commercially proven technology, with funds used for final design and cost analysis to support a buildable plan.
What funding program is this grant associated with?
This opportunity is a discretionary grant under CFDA 10.674, Wood Utilization Assistance.
How much funding was expected to be available overall?
The Forest Service estimated a total funding pool of $3,000,000 for the 2012 cycle.
How many awards were anticipated?
Approximately 15 awards were anticipated.
What were the expected minimum and maximum award amounts?
Individual awards were expected to range from $50,000 (award floor) to $250,000 (award ceiling).
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. A cost sharing or matching requirement applies, so applicants should be prepared to contribute non-federal funds and/or eligible in-kind support as part of the project budget.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many public, private, and nonprofit entities, including: state governments; county governments; city/township governments; special district governments; federally recognized tribal governments; independent school districts; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) and certain nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status); and for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits).
Why is eligibility so broad for this program?
The program is community-oriented and recognizes that woody biomass energy projects are often developed through partnerships among local governments, schools, hospitals, utilities, tribes, forestry organizations, and private companies.
What were the key dates for the 2012 cycle?
The program was posted on November 21, 2011. The original closing date was March 31, 2012, and it was later extended to April 2, 2012. The program was archived on April 30, 2012.
Where were applicants directed to find details and supporting materials?
Applicants were directed to the Forest Products Laboratory Technology Marketing Unit website: www.fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu.
Who was the listed point of contact for questions or access issues?
The point of contact listed was Susan LeVan Green, Program Manager. Phone: 608-231-9518. Email: slevan@fs.fed.us.
Does the announcement mention other USDA resources for construction funding?
Yes. The announcement notes that USDA Rural Development has loan and grant programs that may help with construction, but it emphasizes that applicants often need engineering design documents and credible cost estimates to access those resources.
What stage of project development is this grant designed to support?
This grant is designed to move projects from concept toward a buildable, finance-ready plan by funding the engineering and cost analysis work typically needed before construction funding can be secured.
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