The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced $173.8 million in new grant and loan awards under its Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP), bringing the total funding awarded under this program to a total of $544 million, or more than 50% of funding being awarded through this program. The funds will be used for substantial energy efficiency renovations at this 146-unit property, which is home to low-income individuals and families.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced up to $6 billion for 33 projects in over 20 states to decarbonize energy-intensive industries, reduce industrial greenhouse gas emissions, support good-paying union jobs, revitalize industrial communities, and strengthen manufacturing competitiveness. Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, the projects will create and maintain thousands of jobs and accelerate the commercial-scale demonstration of emerging industrial decarbonization technologies.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is awarding $20 million to 20 airport-owned airport traffic control towers across the country, spanning 17 states. The funding will be used to upgrade existing or build new control towers, delivering on President Biden's Investing in America agenda that is rebuilding our infrastructure in every corner of the country. 

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) opened applications for the 2024 Renew America's Schools Prize, which will award $180 million to districts across the country engaging in strategic partnerships to build capacity and implement energy upgrades at K-12 schools, lowering energy use and costs, improving indoor air quality, and fostering healthier learning environments. The 2024 Renew America's Schools Prize is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The Inflation Reduction Act added Section 6417 to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Under this new section, certain taxpayers may make an elective payment, which will treat certain eligible taxpayers as making a payment against their federal income tax liability in lieu of claiming certain energy tax credits. Tax-exempt entities, state or local governments, and other specified taxpayers may make a Direct Payment Election for all applicable tax credits. Other taxpayers are eligible to make a Direct Payment Election with respect to some or all of the tax credits available under Sections 45Q, 45V, and 45X.

Maine will receive $15 million to help communities recover from coastal infrastructure damage in the Fiscal Year 2024 Commerce, Justice, and Science appropriations bill. The legislation includes $10 million through the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to repair and renovate infrastructure affected by recent storms and $5 million to establish a new program at the Economic Development Administration (EDA) for working waterfronts.  

The U.S. Department of the Interior announced that more than $120 million will fund 146 projects to help tribal communities plan for and implement projects to tackle severe climate-related environmental threats to their homelands. This investment from the Inflation Reduction Act, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and annual appropriations will help tribes proactively plan for and adapt to these threats and safely relocate critical community infrastructure, where necessary.

The Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe in Nevada will receive $29.8 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to create new outdoor recreation opportunities around Pyramid Lake and connect the communities of Sutcliffe, Nixon, and Wadsworth. Funding was made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act.

The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced the availability of $500 million in Federal Fiscal Year 2024 funding through MARAD's Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP). Investments made under the PIDP focus on modernizing the Nation's coastal and inland waterway ports as well as strengthening its supply chains and economic security for generations to come. Funding was made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Program.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association's PowerXchange annual meeting that USDA is moving forward on clean energy investments in 23 states to reduce pollution and strengthen rural America's power grid. This is the first of five awards totaling $139 million under the Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) program. USDA also announced $2.2 billion in funding awarded to 39 projects to help ensure over 2 million people in rural areas have access to reliable electricity.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced new efforts to increase the supply of housing in the year ahead. These efforts include: 1) updated guidance for the American Rescue Plan's (ARP) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF); 2) clarifications to the ARP's Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program, and 3) an extension of the Federal Financing Bank's (FFB) financing support for a risk-sharing initiative between the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and state and local housing finance agencies.

Revolving Loan Fund WebCourse Week is returning with the intro level on May 13-14 followed by the advanced level on May 15-16. Register for one or both of these courses to learn from experts about developing, implementing, and managing efficient and impactful revolving loan fund programs.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) through its Loan Programs Office (LPO) announced the offer of a conditional commitment of up to $1.5 billion for a loan guarantee to Holtec Palisades to finance the restoration and resumption of service of an electric nuclear generating station in Covert Township, MI. The project aims to bring back online the Palisades Nuclear Plant, which ceased operations in May 2022, and upgrade it to produce baseload clean power until at least 2051.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development announced that it is investing $76.5 million to expand the Red Mesa Tapaha Solar Farm. The expansion is expected to provide clean energy to approximately 36,000 homes, businesses, and farms — in addition to providing more than 200 local construction jobs. The Red Mesa Tapaha Solar Farm is a 500-acre project that is expected to bring power to nearly 20 communities across Utah.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is celebrating World Water Day and releasing its 2023 Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) annual report. The report highlights $3 billion in water infrastructure investments across the country. These investments in local communities protect public health and the environment, create good-paying jobs, and help support affordable water bills compared to alternative financing options.    

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the allocation of nearly $70 million to 38 tribal communities through the Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) program to support the development of housing for families living on Indian reservations and in other Indian areas.

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced that it has raised lending limits for its Title I Manufactured Home Loan Program, a move designed to align the FHA with market forces and to encourage more lenders to participate in the program as the Biden administration makes a renewed push on affordable housing. The new, nationwide Title I limits are effective for FHA case numbers assigned on or after March 29, 2024.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded approximately $40.5 million for 60 grant projects through the Organic Market Development Grant program. These projects will support the development of new and existing organic markets, support the infrastructure to improve processing capacity, explore emerging technologies to promote organic products, and purchase equipment to help meet the increasing demand for organic commodities.

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.7 million grant to the Economic Development Authority of Floyd County, VA, for roadway and wastewater infrastructure improvements to support business growth. This grant will provide the infrastructure needed to support Phase 2 development of the Floyd Regional Commerce Center. This EDA investment will be matched with $680,000 in local funds.