Opportunity Information: Apply for RD RUS HECG15
Apply for RD RUS HECG15
- The USDA-RUS in the business and commerce, community development, energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Assistance to High Energy Cost Rural Communities" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.859.
- This funding opportunity was created on Oct 28, 2015 and posted on Oct 28, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 14, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $3,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 12 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Opportunity Summary:
The USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is offering a competitive grant program called Assistance to High Energy Cost Rural Communities (Funding Opportunity Number: RD RUS HECG15; CFDA: 10.859). The program makes up to $10 million available to help rural communities facing exceptionally high home energy costs. The core purpose is to reduce the burden of energy expenses and improve the reliability and efficiency of local energy systems in places where the average annual residential spending for home energy is more than 275 percent of the national average.
Grant funds can be used for community-scale energy investments that acquire, construct, or improve energy generation, transmission, or distribution facilities that serve eligible high-cost communities. The opportunity is designed to support both traditional infrastructure and modern approaches, including on-grid and off-grid renewable energy projects. In addition, projects focused on energy efficiency and energy conservation measures are eligible, as long as they are tied to serving the broader community rather than an individual customer. A key boundary of the program is that projects cannot be structured primarily to benefit a single household or a single business; the intent is community energy services and broad public benefit.
The funding comes with clear limits on what it will not pay for. Applicants cannot use grant dollars to prepare the grant application itself, pay ongoing utility bills, purchase fuel, or cover routine maintenance and other normal operating costs. The program also prohibits spending on equipment, structures, or real estate that is not directly associated with delivering community energy services, which narrows allowable costs to items that are integral to the energy project rather than general-purpose purchases or unrelated property.
This is a discretionary, competitive grant opportunity (Funding Instrument Type: Grant) aligned with energy, community development, and business and commerce activities. The maximum award size is listed as $3,000,000, with an anticipated 12 awards, indicating RUS expects to fund multiple projects rather than a small number of very large ones. The application deadline for this solicitation was December 14, 2015 (original and current closing date), and it was posted October 28, 2015.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of entities that might lead community energy projects. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments; special districts; independent school districts; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits); and individuals, with additional eligibility details referenced in the official solicitation. The Notice of Solicitation of Applications is the controlling document for specific eligibility conditions, required application materials, and the scoring or selection criteria RUS uses to choose awardees.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant program?
The program is called Assistance to High Energy Cost Rural Communities, administered by the USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) and CFDA number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RD RUS HECG15 and the CFDA number is 10.859.
What is the main purpose of the program?
The purpose is to help rural communities that face exceptionally high home energy costs by reducing the burden of energy expenses and improving the reliability and efficiency of local energy systems.
How does the program define a "high energy cost" community?
Eligible high-cost communities are those where the average annual residential spending for home energy is more than 275 percent of the national average.
How much funding is available under this opportunity?
RUS is making up to $10 million available under this competitive grant program.
What is the maximum award amount?
The maximum award size listed for this opportunity is $3,000,000.
How many awards does USDA RUS expect to make?
The opportunity anticipates approximately 12 awards, suggesting multiple projects are expected to be funded.
Is this a competitive grant or a formula entitlement?
This is a discretionary, competitive grant opportunity.
What type of funding instrument is being offered?
The funding instrument type is a Grant.
What kinds of projects can grant funds support?
Grant funds can be used for community-scale energy investments that acquire, construct, or improve energy generation, transmission, or distribution facilities serving eligible high-cost communities.
Are renewable energy projects eligible?
Yes. The opportunity is designed to support both traditional infrastructure and modern approaches, including on-grid and off-grid renewable energy projects.
Are energy efficiency and energy conservation projects eligible?
Yes, energy efficiency and energy conservation measures are eligible, as long as they are tied to serving the broader community rather than an individual customer.
Do projects have to serve the community, or can they focus on an individual household or business?
Projects must be structured to deliver community energy services and broad public benefit. Projects cannot be structured primarily to benefit a single household or a single business.
What are some examples of allowable project categories mentioned in the opportunity?
The solicitation describes eligible uses broadly as investments in energy systems such as generation, transmission, and distribution, including renewable (on-grid or off-grid) options and community-oriented energy efficiency and conservation measures.
What costs are explicitly not allowed under this grant?
Grant dollars cannot be used to:
- Prepare the grant application
- Pay ongoing utility bills
- Purchase fuel
- Cover routine maintenance or other normal operating costs
- Buy equipment, structures, or real estate not directly associated with delivering community energy services
Can the grant be used to pay for a community's ongoing utility bills?
No. The program prohibits using grant funds to pay ongoing utility bills.
Can the grant be used to purchase fuel?
No. The program prohibits spending grant dollars to purchase fuel.
Can the grant be used for routine maintenance and operating expenses?
No. Grant funds cannot cover routine maintenance or other normal operating costs.
Can the grant pay for preparing the application or grant-writing costs?
No. Applicants cannot use grant dollars to prepare the grant application.
Can funds be used to buy real estate or buildings?
Only if the purchase is directly associated with delivering community energy services. The program prohibits spending on equipment, structures, or real estate that is not directly tied to the community energy project.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility includes a wide range of entity types, including:
- State, county, and local governments
- Special districts
- Independent school districts
- Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities
- Federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations
- Public and private institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status)
- For-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits)
- Individuals
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations are listed as eligible applicants.
Are nonprofits required to have 501(c)(3) status to apply?
No. The eligibility list includes nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status.
Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. For-profit organizations, including small businesses and other for-profits, are listed as eligible applicants.
Can individuals apply for this grant?
Yes. Individuals are included in the list of eligible applicants, with additional eligibility details referenced in the official solicitation.
Which document controls the official eligibility conditions and application requirements?
The Notice of Solicitation of Applications is identified as the controlling document for specific eligibility conditions, required application materials, and the scoring or selection criteria used by RUS.
Where can applicants find the scoring or selection criteria?
The scoring or selection criteria are referenced as being contained in the Notice of Solicitation of Applications, which is the controlling document.
What is the application deadline for this specific solicitation?
The application deadline (original and current closing date) for this solicitation was December 14, 2015.
When was this funding opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on October 28, 2015.
What general activity areas does this grant align with?
This opportunity is aligned with energy, community development, and business and commerce activities.
Does the program support both traditional infrastructure and modern energy approaches?
Yes. The program is designed to support traditional energy infrastructure as well as modern approaches, including renewable energy options that can be on-grid or off-grid.
Is the intent primarily private benefit or broad public benefit?
The intent is broad public benefit through community energy services. Projects should not be primarily structured to benefit a single household or business.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RD RUS HECG15) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Assistance to High Energy Cost Communities Apply for RD RUS HECG17 Funding Number: RD RUS HECG17 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Utilities Programs Category: Business and Commerce, Community Development, Energy Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Assistance to High Energy Cost Communities Apply for RD RUS HECG19 Funding Number: RD RUS HECG19 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Utilities Programs Category: Business and Commerce, Community Development, Energy Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Assistance to High Energy Cost Communities Apply for RD RUS HECG20 Funding Number: RD RUS HECG20 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Utilities Programs Category: Business and Commerce, Community Development, Energy Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Assistance to High Energy Cost Communities Apply for RD RUS HECG21 Funding Number: RD RUS HECG21 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Utilities Programs Category: Business and Commerce, Community Development, Energy Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Assistance to High Energy Cost Communities Apply for RD RUS HECG23 Funding Number: RD RUS HECG23 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service Category: Business and Commerce, Community Development, Energy Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| High Energy Cost Grants Apply for RD RUS HECG25 Funding Number: RD RUS HECG25 Agency: Rural Utilities Service Category: Business and Commerce, Community Development, Energy Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
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