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Home My WebLink AboutPR 23767: TRANSFORMATIVE ENERGY FUNDING OPPORTUNITY FOR PARK IMPROVEMENTS AND ENHANCEMENTS www.PortArthurTx.gov INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM Date: May 14, 2024 To: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Through: Ron Burton, City Manager From: Chandra Alpough, Director of Parks and Recreation RE: P.R. 23767—U. S. Department of Energy Local Government Energy Program: Communities Sparking Investment in Transformative Energy Funding Opportunity for Park Improvements and Enhancements Introduction: The intent of this Agenda Item is to request the City Council's approval of P.R. No. 23767 authorizing the City Manager to apply for a funding opportunity through the U.S. Department of Energy Local Government Energy Program: Communities Sparking Investment in Transformative Energy for park improvements and enhancements. Background: The City of Port Arthur has made "quality of life" for citizens a priority. The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of State and Community Energy Program has a funding opportunity titled Communities Sparking Investments in Transformative Energy. This funding opportunity will allow the City of Port Arthur to build community cohesion,integrate solar solutions and increase renewable energy projects in the city. The grant ranges from $900,000.00 to $3,600,000.00. If awarded,there is a 5%cost share requirement that will be met through volunteer time,staff time, philanthropic funds and other contributions. Applying for this funding opportunity will allow for the implementation of high-impact clean energy projects as we continue to move forward with improving the quality of life as well as enhancing and improving the park system. The deadline for submitting the full application is May 31, 2024. Budget Impact: None Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council approve P.R.No.23767 authorizing the City Manager to apply for a funding opportunity through the U.S. Department of Energy Local Government Energy Program: Communities Sparking Investment in Transformative Energy for park improvements and enhancements. "Remember,we are here to serve the Citizens of Port Arthur" P.O.Box 1089 X Port Arthur,Texas 77641-1089 X 409.983.8182 X FAX 409.983.8294 P. R. # 23767 05/14/2024 ca RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO APPLY FOR A FUNDING OPPORTUNITY THROUGH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENERGY PROGRAM: COMMUNITIES SPARKING INVESTMENT IN TRANSFORMATIVE ENERGY, FOR PARK IMPROVEMENTS AND ENHANCEMENTS WHEREAS,the City Council has made"quality of life" for citizens a priority; and, WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of State and Community Energy Program has a funding opportunity titled Communities Sparking Investments in Transformative Energy, with an application deadline of May 31,2024; and, WHEREAS, this funding opportunity allows for implementation of high-impact clean energy projects in disadvantaged communities, energy communities, small and medium sized jurisdictions and tribal communities; and, WHEREAS, the grant range is from $900,000.00 to $3,600,000.00 over a 12 month to 36-month performance period; and, WHEREAS, if awarded, there will be a 5% cost share requirement that will be met through volunteer time, staff time,philanthropic funds, and other contributions; and, WHEREAS, the City of Port Arthur wishes to apply for the funding opportunity through the U.S. Department of Energy Local Government Energy Program: Communities Sparking Investment in Transformative Energy; and, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS: Section 1. That the facts and opinions in the preamble are true and correct. Section 2. The City Council authorizes the City Manager to apply for the funding opportunity, "Communities Sparking Investments in Transformative Energy," through the U.S. P. R. #23767 05/14/2024 ca Department of Energy Local Government Energy Program, as detailed in Exhibit"A,"by May 31, 2024 Section 3. That a copy of the caption of this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the City Council. READ, ADOPTED AND APPROVED THIS day of A.D. 2024, at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Port Arthur, by the following vote: AYES: (Mayor) Councilmembers: NOES: Thurman"Bill"Bartie Mayor ATTEST: Sherri Bellard City Secretary APPROVED AS TO FORM: r„ + ram .f-s M. Black rim City Attorney APPROVED AS TO • D MINISTRATION: qa1411 Ron Burton, CPM City Manager P. R. #23767 05/14/2024 ca (1 (IWY01/710L*t°1L— Chandra Alpough, CPM Director of Parks and Recreation APPROVED AS TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS: Lynda Boswell Director of Finance Clifton Williams, CPPB Purchasing Manager Exhibit "A" U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) Local Government Energy Program: Communities Sparking Investment in Transformative Energy (C-SITE) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Number: DE-FOA-0003229 FOA Type: Assistance Listing Number: 81.086 FOA Issue Date: February 27, 2024 Informational Webinar: See Infrastructure eXCHANGE website for details Submission Deadline for Full Applications: May 31, 2024, 5:00 p.m. ET Submission Deadline for Replies to Reviewer Comments: July 10, 2024, 5:00 p.m. ET Expected Date for SCEP Selection Notifications: August 2024 Expected Timeframe for Award Negotiations: September— December 2024 • To apply to this FOA, applicants must register with and submit application materials through Infrastructure Exchange at https://infrastructure- exchange.energy.gov/Default.aspx, SCEP's online application portal. • Applicants must designate primary and backup points-of-contact in Infrastructure Exchange with whom SCEP will communicate to conduct award negotiations. If an application is selected for award negotiations, it is not a commitment to issue an award. It is imperative that the applicant/selectee be responsive during award negotiations and meet negotiation deadlines. Failure to do so may result in cancelation of further award negotiations and rescission of the selection. • Unique Entity Identifier(UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM) - Each applicant (unless the applicant is excepted from those requirements under 2 CFR 25.110) is required to: (1) register in the SAM at https://www.sam.gov before submitting an application; (2) provide a valid UEI number in the application; and (3) maintain an active SAM registration with current information when the applicant has an active federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a federal awarding agency. DOE may not make a federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable UEI and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully -: a SCE complied with the requirements by the time DOE is ready to make a federal award, DOE will determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a federal award to another applicant. NOTE: Due to the high number of UEI requests and SAM registrations, entity legal business name and address validations are taking longer than expected to process. Entities should start the UEI and SAM registration process as soon as possible. If entities have technical difficulties with the UEI validation or SAM registration process they should use the HELP feature on SAM.gov. SAM.gov will address service tickets in the order in which they are received and asks that entities not create multiple service tickets for the same request or technical issue. Additional entity validation resources can be found here: GSAFSD Tier 0 Knowledge Base -Validating your Entity. Questions about this FDA?Email LGEP@hq.doe.qov Problems with Infrastructure Exchange?Email InfrastructureExchangeSu port(a hq.doe.gov Include FOA name and number in subject line. le SCEP nnrt....NM ENERGY wocwma Modifications All modifications to the FOA are [HIGHLIGHT in the body of the FOA. Mod. No. Date Description of Modification 11111-- 4/16/24 1. Added Community Engagement Plan (Optional) under Section IV.C. Content and Form of the Full Application 2. Added Community Benefits Plan (Optional) under Section IV.C. Content and Form of the Full Application Questions about this FOA?Email LGEP(a hq.doe.gov Problems with Infrastructure Exchange?Email infrastructureExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov Include FOA name and number in subject line. SCEP nntt acaw.+.w,iv cncac reocwua Executive Summary Program Overview This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is for the launch of a new annual program, issued by the US Department of Energy (DOE)'s Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP). This funding opportunity, titled Communities Sparking Investments in Transformative Energy (C-SITE), supports SCEP's overall mission and is funded through SCEP's Local Government Energy Program (LGEP). LGEP will provide direct financial awards and technical assistance to recipients through this FOA, as well as capacity-building support through additional upcoming technical assistance offerings. This funding opportunity provides an anticipated $18 million for local governments and federally recognized Indian Tribes to implement municipally-or Tribal-led high-impact clean energy projects in disadvantaged communities, energy communities, small- and medium-sized jurisdictions, and Tribal communities. DOE retains the right to make partial awards and to reallocate funds in the event of undersubscription, ineligibility and/or increased program funds. Program Goals: • Deliver direct local community benefits of clean energy, such as reduced energy costs and improved air quality, through implementation of community-led energy projects or programs. • Spark additional investments in communities that create long-term local economic development opportunities and support community revitalization. • Advance community-identified energy priorities and right to self-determination. • Build capacity and partnerships in local governments and Tribes. Total Number Minimum Maximum Period of Funding of Award Size Award Size Topic Area Title Performance Awards $18 million 5-20 $900,000 $3,600,000 Transformative Project 12-36 months Implementation For this new program, DOE provides one topic area for all applicants to invite a broad range of diverse projects illustrating a variety of technologies, approaches, and models tailored to local community contexts and poised to spark additional investments in their communities. Projects may span a range of geographic scopes and wide variety of technology areas, including, but not limited to, building efficiency and/or electrification, clean transportation, energy infrastructure upgrades, microgrid development and deployment, renewable energy, and workforce development. All projects must include meaningful community engagement. While partnerships are not required, DOE will prioritize projects with clear demonstrated support from local community partners and relevant decision-makers, as well as projects proposing significant benefits to workers and local residents, and the ability to spur local Questions about this FOA?Email LGEP@hq.doe.gov Problems with Infrastructure Exchange?Email InfrastructureExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov Include FOA name and number in subject line. SCEP economic development or community revitalization, utilize existing community assets or transform liabilities into assets, and spark additional investments. Eligible Applicants Per Congress, eligible prime recipients for this FOA are restricted to local governments or Tribal governments representing ANY of the following kinds of communities: 1. Disadvantaged communities; 2. Energy communities; 3. Small- and medium-sized jurisdictions. See more eligibility information below, including the program eligibility map. Communities not included on the map may provide additional information demonstrating their eligibility. Cost Share The cost share requirement for this FOA is reduced to 5%and may be met through staff time, municipal or Tribal budgets, philanthropic funds, or other contributions from a third-party entity to support project implementation or increase impact. The cost share must come from non-federal sources unless otherwise allowed by law and may also be met through the contribution of in-kind services that advance the proposed project. Potential Project Examples Illustrations of potential projects funded through this award may include, but are not limited to: • Energy efficiency upgrades and on-site battery storage for a community resilience hub/s located in a disadvantaged community. • Tribal partner-owned solar plus storage microgrid independent power project providing power to remote households. • Municipally-owned utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installation on reclaimed industrial land accessing relevant tax credits. • Downtown revitalization led by public/private partnership creating energy efficient buildings primed for reuse for business or community use. • Electric vehicle ride-sharing program aimed at serving low-income residents to increase mobility and access to economic opportunities. Appendix C provides additional examples of projects that may be funded through this award. Application Process To be considered for this funding opportunity, applicants must: 1. Submit a Full Application to Infrastructure Exchange. Full applications will go into further details of the project proposal, team qualifications, budget and workplan, community engagement, and community benefits. Full applications are due by May 31, 2024 at 5pm ET. Questions about this FOA?Email LGEP@hq.doe.qov Problems with Infrastructure Exchange?Email InfrastructureExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov Include FOA name and number in subject line.