Illinois Environmental Protection Agency

The Brownfields to Brightfields Initiative announces the availability of funds from the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) State Energy Program (SEP) with supplemental appropriations authorized under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Illinois EPA Office of Energy intends to fund interconnection and installation planning costs associated with solar energy and battery storage development at publicly and privately owned brownfields in Illinois that have been assessed for and, if necessary, resolved of any contamination at the time of an award. Formerly contaminated lands pose as favorable solar energy and battery storage project sites due to their existing infrastructure and optimal locations. The Illinois EPA Office of Energy is soliciting proposals to distribute $350,000 across the state in order to expand renewable energy, battery storage, and land revitalization.

Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58)

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Through this funding opportunity, the Illinois EPA Office of Energy will support publicly and privately owned Brownfields in their efforts to develop renewable energy and battery storage projects in Illinois. Funding interconnection and installation costs helps close a critical gap in renewable energy expansion and supports contaminated land redevelopment. This program also supports the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act as the legislation requires that 3% of new solar renewable energy credits (RECs) from utility scale projects must be obtained from Brownfield sites.

Yes

Grantee is bound by the following Special Terms and Conditions as required by 2 CFR 200.101 and 2 CFR 200.326. - Applicable program regulations, including 10 CFR Part 420 - State Energy Program at http://eCFR.gov - DOE Assistance Regulations, 2 CFR part 200 as amended by 2 CFR part 910 at http://www.eCFR.gov - Public Law 117-58 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act - National Policy Requirements (November 12, 2020) at http://www.nsf.gov/awards/managing/rtc.jsp

Government Organizations; For-Profit Organizations; Nonprofit Organizations;

Applicants must be registered and pre-qualified through the GATA portal. Applicants must be in good standing with the Secretary of the State of Illinois. The project must be located in Illinois. The applicant must be able to provide up-front costs for the project with the understanding that reimbursement for eligible project costs will occur no more frequently than monthly.

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Project Grants

Government Services

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It is recommended that applications include appropriate supporting documentation (e.g. letters of support or agreements), if applicable.

The entire application process will be available through Amplifund - https://grants.illinois.gov/portal/. Potential applicants may address any problems with accessing the application package by contacting the Agency GATA Specialists at EPA.GATA@Illinois.gov.

All applications will be reviewed for completeness and adherence to the grant eligibility requirements described in this NOFO. Applications found to be complete and meet ALL eligibility requirements will be funded, on a first come first serve basis. The program will accept applications until all available funds have been awarded. Additional review processes include: • If the Agency determines that an applicant incorrectly calculated or indicated the project cost and/or total funding request based on the applicable cost estimate or eligible costs, and the Agency can correct the error, the application will still be accepted and reviewed. If the applicant is awarded the grant, the Agency will contact the applicant and request a decision from the applicant as to whether it will accept the award based on the Agency’s determination of the project cost and/or total funding requested. If the applicant does not accept the Agency’s determination, the application will be rejected. • If the amount of available grant funding is not sufficient to fund the application in its entirety, the review committee may evaluate the application to determine if a discrete portion or phase of the Project meeting the mission of this NOFO can be funded. • Illinois EPA staff will be responsible for reviewing applications. • Neither the State of Illinois nor Illinois EPA is obligated to make any award as a result of this NOFO. Grant applicants are not authorized to proceed with projects until the Director has signed the Grant Agreement.

Successful applicants will receive an award notification. This notification is not an authorization to begin performance or incur costs. The Uniform Grant Agreement between the Illinois EPA and the applicant will be sent to the applicant to sign and return. Once the Grant Agreement is fully executed by the Illinois EPA, a copy will be returned to the applicant. Only after the Grant Agreement has been signed by the Director of the Illinois EPA can expenses be incurred for grant reimbursement. Any expenses incurred outside of the project period (before or after) defined in the Grant Agreement are at the applicant's risk and are not eligible for reimbursement.

Applications will be accepted until all funds are expended or June 30, 2027.

30 Days

A merit-based evaluation appeal process is available to applicants who submit a complete application. Evaluation scores may not be protested. Only the evaluation process is subject to appeal. An appeal must be submitted in writing to the following address: Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Attn: Brownfields to Brightfields Initiative Evaluation Process Appeal, Office of Energy, 2520 W Iles Avenue P.O. Box 19276 Springfield, IL 62794-9276 Appeals must be received within 14 calendars days after the date that the grant award notice has been published by the Illinois EPA to grants.illinois.gov. The written appeal should include at a minimum the following: the name and address of the appealing party, identification of the grant, and a statement of reasons for the appeal. The Agency will acknowledge receipt of an appeal within 14 calendar days from the date the appeal was received. When an appeal is received, the execution of all grant agreements that the Illinois EPA intends to make under this NOFO shall be stayed until the appeal is resolved, unless the Illinois EPA determines the needs of the State require moving forward with execution of the grant agreements. The State need determination and rationale shall be documented in writing. The Agency will respond within 50 days or supply a written explanation to the appealing party as to why additional time is required. The appealing party must supply any additional information requested by the Illinois EPA within the time period set in the request. The Illinois EPA will resolve the appeal by means of written determination, which shall include, but not be limited to, review of the appeal determination, and rationale for the determination.

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No match required.

Restricted to eligible entities and projects identified in the NOFO.

Quarterly GATA Performance & Financial Reports, Quarterly Narrative Project Reports, Cumulative Close-out Reports, & Additional reports as required by U.S. Department of Energy

See Illinois Administrative Code 7000.90

Grantee shall maintain for three (3) years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report, adequate books, all financial records and, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other records pertinent to this Award, adequate to comply with 2 CFR 200.334, unless a different retention period is specified in 2 CFR 200.334, 44 Ill. Admin. Code 7000.430(a) and (b) or PART TWO or PART THREE. If any litigation, claim or audit is started before the expiration of the retention period, the records must be retained until all litigation, claims or audit exceptions involving the records have been resolved and final action taken.

859

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$5,000 to $175,000

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CODE of FEDERAL REGULATIONS Title 2: Grants and Agreements PART 200 - Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR 200) Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA), 30 ILCS 708/1 Illinois Administrative Code

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Springfield

https://epa.illinois.gov/topics/energy/business-and-industry-/brownfields-to-brightsfields-initiative-.html

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Resources and technical assistance guidance available: https://epa.illinois.gov/topics/energy/business-and-industry-/brownfields-to-brightsfields-initiative-.html

7/15/2026

None

FY 2027 : $350,000