The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the allocation of over $7.3 million from the Industrial Assessment Centers (IAC) Implementation Grants program to support 37 small- and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) across the United States. The funding, part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, aims to improve energy efficiency, reduce climate pollution, and strengthen domestic manufacturing.
Supported by President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and managed by DOE’s Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains Office (MESC), the IAC Implementation Grants program offers up to $300,000 per manufacturer per funding round. These projects are expected to cut approximately 17,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, equivalent to the annual emissions of about 70 small businesses.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm stated, “The clean energy transition presents a world of new opportunities for the American workforce. The Biden-Harris Administration is training the next generation of workers to enable small-and-medium sized manufacturers to increase their energy efficiency all while lowering costs and reducing emissions.”
Jennifer M. Granholm Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy
| Official website
The grants will help SMMs leverage federal support and local expertise to identify cost-effective opportunities for improving energy efficiency, increasing competitiveness, and reducing emissions. For over four decades, the IAC Program has conducted more than 21,000 energy assessments at SMMs, typically identifying more than $150,000 in potential annual energy savings for each manufacturer.
This round includes $7.3 million in grant funding matched by nearly $20 million in industry investment. Projects range from onsite solar installations to waste heat recovery systems and improvements in lighting and HVAC systems. Fourteen projects will specifically benefit disadvantaged communities by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting local jobs.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, a total of 115 businesses across 34 states have been selected for more than $17 million through the IAC program to implement energy-saving improvements matched by almost $40 million in industry investment.
Selection for award negotiations does not guarantee funding; DOE and its intermediary ENERGYWERX will undergo a negotiation process with applicants before finalizing awards.
The IAC Implementation Grants funding opportunity remains open year-round with an initial envelope of $80 million. Eligible SMMs can apply anytime throughout the next year as funds remain available. The current application deadline is July 1, 2024; applications reopen on July 2 with another deadline on October 1.
Starting July 1st, eligible SMMs can receive up to $300,000 per project rather than per entity with multiple grants allowable per quarter provided each grant supports a unique project from qualifying assessments.
To support applicants further, monthly "office hour" sessions will be held starting July 11th.
More information on applying for grants or receiving no-cost assessments can be found through various links provided by DOE.
DOE's collaboration with ENERGYWERX under a Partnership Intermediary Agreement facilitates engagement with innovative organizations and non-traditional partners aiming at rapid development and deployment of clean energy solutions.
Learn more about MESC's mission focused on modernizing national energy infrastructure for a clean and equitable transition.
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