Building a Better KY - Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet

Better Kentucky Plan

Building Stronger Communities

“Over the last five years, as part of Gov. Andy Beshear's Better Kentucky Plan, Kentucky has been awarded more than $10 billion through the federal Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) to build stronger communities in every corner of the Commonwealth. Through the Energy & Environment Cabinet, more than $500 million from IIJA has gone towards reclaiming abandoned mine lands, redeveloping brownfields, capping orphaned oil and gas wells, improving water and wastewater infrastructure, increasing electric grid resiliency, improving energy efficiency, and more." – Secretary John S. Lyons

In addition to IIJA/BIL funding, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has provided additional state funding opportunities, as well as credits and incentives to consumers and businesses. Funding opportunities below include programs from both IIJA/BIL and IRA.

"Building a Better Kentucky Weekly Update"

Upcoming Dates

See "Funding Opportunities" section for specific program application deadlines.

Jun. 3: EEC/UK Workshop

"Brownfield Boot Camp: Northern Kentucky" (9:00 - 5:00p ET)
OneNKY Center, 209 Greenup Street, Covington, KY 41011
To register for this free in-person workshop, visit the EEC/UK event page.

Approaching Deadlines...

See "Funding Opportunities" below for additional deadlines:

May 11 - Ky. Specialty Crop Block Grants, see KDA's Program Page for more info
May 15 - OSG Green Infrastructure Assistance, letter of intent, see Water below
May 22 - PHMSA Natural Gas Distribution...Modernization, see Forestry...Safety below

Funding Opportunities

Search through the following list of grants and funding opportunities for Kentucky communities, schools, and businesses. Additional information and links to guidance will be posted on this page when they become available, so check back often!

Energy Efficiency & Resilience

Energy...Rural/Remote Areas

Funding Source: IIJA/BIL
Program Title: Energy Improvement in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA)
Purpose: To support small community-driven clean energy projects $500,000 to $5 million that address at least one of the resilient clean energy objectives outlined in 40103(c)(3) are addressed
Who can apply: State/local government; Indian Nations; non-profits; for-profits; institutions of higher education; consortia
Deadline: application period has passed
Questions: ERAGrant@hq.doe.gov

Rural Energy for America

Funding Source: Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)
Program Title: Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans & Grants
Purpose: To provide guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make efficiency improvements
Who can apply: Agricultural producers, small rural businesses
Deadlines: Awards have been halted, until updated regulations are developed to ensure compliance with EO14315
Where to Apply: USDA-RD via state energy coordinator
Questions? Contact Scott Maas, USDA-RD, 859-224-7319

Transmission Technology Upgrades

Funding Source: IIJA/BIL
Program Title: Speed to Power through Accelerated Reconductoring and other Key Advanced Transmission Technology Upgrades (SPARK)
Purpose: To meet load demand growth and resource adequacy, and to address critical national, interregional, and regional needs
Who Can Apply: based on topic area selected; in general domestic entities: Topic 1 Grid Resilience (grid operator, generator, distributor, etc.); Topic 2 Smart Grid (higher ed, for-profit, not-for-profit, state/local govt, etc.); Topic 3 Grid Innovation (state or combo of states, tribes, local govt, public utility commission) See NOFO for further details
Deadline: May 20, 2026
Where to Apply: DOE via Grants.gov (DE-FOA-0003580)
Questions? DE-FOA-0003580@netl.doe.gov

Weatherization Assistance

Funding Source: IIJA/BIL
Purpose: To increase the energy efficiency of dwellings owned or occupied by low-income persons, reduce their total residential energy expenditure and improve their health and safety
Who can apply: Low-income households
Deadline: Ongoing
Where to apply: Local Community Action Agency
Questions? Weatherization Assistance Program

More Programs...

Federal guidance on the following is forthcoming. Please check back closer to the identified time period for updates.

Appalachian Regional Energy Hub
Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles - 2024 awards
Clean School Bus Program (rebates, grants) - awards
Energy Auditor Training
Energy Champions Leading the Advancement of Sustainable Schools (CLASS) Prize
Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grants - Kentucky info
Energy Emissions Intensive Industries (RD&D)
Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) - 2024 deadline closed
Renew America's Schools
Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation
Revolving Loan Fund (EPA)
Rural Development Energy Programs
Transmission Facilitation Program
Transmission Siting and Economic Development Program - no additional awards will be made

Forestry/Nature and Safety

Community Wildfire

Program Title: Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG)

Purpose: To support plan development and implementation projects to reduce wildfire risks for high hazard potential communities

Who Can Apply: local government, non-profits, non-profits, etc.

Deadline: 2025 deadline has passed

Where to Apply: USDA via Grants.gov

Questions? Contact SM.FS.usfs_cwdg@usda.gov

Natural Gas Distribution Safety

Funding Source: IIJA/BIL
Program Title: Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization Grant
Purpose: To repair, rehabilitate, or replace natural gas distribution pipeline system or portions, or to acquire equipment to (1) reduce incidents, fatalities and (2) avoid economic losses
Who Can Apply: Local government, publicly owned utilities, 501(c)(3) non-profits See NOFO link below for additional details.
Deadline: May 22, 2026
Where to Apply: PHMSA via Grants.gov (693JK326NF0013)
Questions? Contact PHMSAPipelineBILGrant@dot.gov

Timber Production

Funding Source: Other federal
Program Title: Timber Production Expansion Guaranteed Loan Program
Purpose: To provide financial support to qualified lenders whose loan applicants want to establish, reopen, expand, or improve a sawmill or other wood processing facility that process ecosystem restoration byproducts from USDA Forest Service National Forest System lands
Who Can Apply:  See fact sheet for eligibility
Deadline:  rolling until funds expended
Where to Apply: Local lender
Questions?  Contact TPEP@usda.gov

Wood Infrastructure

Funding Source: IIJA/BIL
Program Title: 2026 Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance Program
Purpose: To provide financial assistance to facilities that purchase and process byproducts from ecosystem restoration projects in areas at risk of unnaturally severe wildfire, insect, or disease infestation.
Who Can Apply: For-profits, state/local govt, school districts, not-for-profits, and more
Deadline: April 22, 2026
Where to Apply: grants.gov (USDA-FS-WPIA-2026)
Questions? Contact Jeff High, sm.fs.wood.innovations@usda.gov

Wood Innovation

Funding Source: IIJA/BIL
Program Title: 2026 Wood Innovations Grant
Purpose: To reduce wildfire risk, improve forest health, reduce costs of forest management, and promote economic and environmental health of communities through innovative uses of hazardous fuels and other wood residues
Who Can Apply: non-profits, governments, businesses, higher education, special purpose districts, etc.
Deadline: April 22, 2026
Where to Apply: USDA via Grants.gov (USDA-FS-WOOD-INNOVATIONS-2026)
Questions? Contact Collin Buntrock, sm.fs.wood.innovations@usda.gov

More Programs...

Federal guidance on the following is forthcoming. Please check back closer to the identified time period for updates.

Reclamation, Remediation, and Prevention

Abandoned Mine Land...

Funding Source: IIJA/BIL
Program Title: Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Reclamation Program
Purpose: To abate problems caused by historic coal mining (pre-May 18, 1982)
Who Can Apply: registered state vendor contractors
Deadline: See each RFB for deadlines
Where to Apply: Finance Cabinet Vendor Self Service Portal
RFB#s: RFB-212-26, 25025AMLMAML (Floyd), 4/8/26 @ 9:30a ET
RFB-219-26 24059AMLBAML (Boyd), 4/16/26 @ 9:30a ET
RFB-237-26 Re-Ad of RFB-176-26 23117AMLBAML (Pike), 4/22/26 @ 9:30a ET
Learn More: Ky. Division of Abandoned Mine Lands
Contractor Workshop Slides / Additional Contractor Info
Questions? Contact James Cable,

Economic Revitalization

Funding Source: Other Federal
Program Title: Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization (AMLER)
Purpose: to support economic and community development goals in areas that have been impacted by the downturn of coal production
Who Can Apply: ...
Where to Apply: AMLER Program Site
Learn More: AMLER presentation PDF / Video
Deadline: May 11, 2026 by 4:00p ET
Questions? Contact Ian.Rison@ky.gov or Hannah.Radosevich@ky.gov

Orphaned Well Plugging

Funding Source: IIJA/BIL
Program Title: State Orphaned Well Program
Purpose: To assist in activities related to plugging, remediation and reclaiming orphaned wells on state and private lands
Who can apply: Registered state vendor contractors
Deadline: varies by RFP
Where to apply: Finance Cabinet Vendor Self Service Portal
RFP#s: TBA
TBA
Important: Contractor Meeting Slides
DOL Davis-Bacon Prevailing Wage Seminars
Learn More: Kentucky's IIJA Orphan Well Plugging Dashboard
Questions? Contact Ky. Division of Oil & Gas, 502-573-0147

To report orphaned wells in your area, email OrphanWells@ky.gov. 

More Programs...

Federal guidance on the following is forthcoming. Please check back closer to the identified time period for updates.

Renewable Energy

Battery Materials Processing, Manufacturing

Funding Source: IIJA/BIL
Program Title: Battery Materials Processing and Battery Manufacturing and Recycling Grants
Purpose: To strengthen critical domestic manufacturing and supply chains while increasing critical minerals production by up to 15% by 2030 for key critical materials used in batteries and other applications through projects that will develop domestic facilities toward battery materials processing, manufacturing, and recycling
Who Can Apply: Institutions of higher education; national laboratories; non-profit/for-profit entities; state/local govt; consortia of prior see NOFO for additional details
Deadline: April 24, 2026
Where to Apply: DOE via energy exchange (DE-FOA-0003585)
Questions? DE-FOA-0003585@netl.doe.gov

EV Charging - Level 2

Funding Source: VW Settlement
Program Title: EV Level 2 Charging Station Rebates
Purpose: To support the installation and operation of level 2 electric vehicle charging equipment at public places, workplaces, or multi-unit dwellings across Kentucky
Who Can Apply: for profits, non-profits, government, multi-family housing owners
Maximum Award: 50% of eligible costs, up to $25,000 ($375,000 available)
Deadline: first-come, first-served until funds expended or Aug. 1, 2027, whichever comes first
Where to Apply: (beginning 4/13/26) Office of Energy Policy program site
Questions? Hailey Mullins

EV Charging - Level 3

Funding Source: VW Settlement
Program Title: EV Level 3 Charging Station Rebates
Purpose: To support the installation and operation of level 3 (DC fast) electric vehicle charging equipment at public commercial and general aviation airports in Kentucky
Who Can Apply: Kentucky airports
Maximum Award: 50% of eligible costs; $3,123,638 available
Deadline: first-come, first-served until funds expended or Aug. 1, 2027, whichever comes first
Where to Apply: (beginning 4/13/26) Office of Energy Policy program site
Questions? Hailey Mullins

Hydrogen Hubs...

Funding Source: IIJA/BIL
Program Title: Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs)
Purpose: To support the development of six (6) to 10 regional clean hydrogen hubs to improve clean hydrogen production, processing, delivery, storage, end use
Learn More: Kentucky Hydrogen Hub Workgroup
DOE's H2Hubs Webinar Recording
Questions? Kentucky efforts, Kenya Stump, 502-782-7083

Low Income Communities...

Funding Source: Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)
Program Title: Clean Electricity Low-Income Communities Bonus Credits
Purpose: Provides a 10 or 20 percentage point increase to the investment tax credit for qualified clean electricity facilities with a maximum net output of less than five megawatts (AC)
Who Can Apply: Applicants investing in qualified electricity generation facilities (see above link for details)
Deadline: 2026 - rolling deadline until funds expended or Aug. 7, 2026, whichever comes first
Questions? contact LICBonusSupport@hq.doe.gov

Solar for All

Funding Source: Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)
Program Title: Solar for All
Purpose: to expand the number of low-income and disadvantaged communities primed for residential solar investment
Who Can Apply: TBD
Deadline: currently the subject of litigation
More Information: Ky Solar for All Status
Info about residential rooftop solar

More Programs...

Federal guidance on the following is forthcoming. Please check back closer to the identified time period for updates.

Waste Management

EV Battery Recycling

Funding Source: IIJA/BIL
Program Title: Electric Drive Vehicle Battery Recycling and Second Life Applications
Purpose: For research, development, and demonstration of second-life applications for electric drive vehicle batteries, as well as technologies and processes for final recycling and disposal of ev batteries.
Who Can Apply: Higher educ., for-/not-for-profit entities, state/local government, and consortia of these
Deadline: FY23 deadline has passed
Where to Apply: DOE via Grants.gov
Questions? Contact BIL-Batterymanufacturing@hq.doe.gov

More Programs...

Federal guidance on the following is forthcoming. Please check back closer to the identified time period for updates.

Water

Clean Water SRF

Funding Source: IIJA/BIL
Program Title: Clean Water State Revolving Fund
Purpose: To provide financial assistance for wastewater infrastructure, storm water, and non-point source projects
Who can apply: Projects listed on Kentucky's annual Clean Water Intended Use Plan/Priority list
Where to apply: Local Area Development District
Learn More: Division of Water - CWSRF
Questions? See Division of Water SRF Contacts
See also Kentucky Infrastructure Authority

Drinking Water SRF

Funding Source: IIJA/BIL
Program Title: Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
Purpose: To provide financial assistance to help water systems and states achieve the objectives of the Safe Drinking Water Act (1996)
Who can apply: Public Water Systems
Where to apply: Local Area Development District
Learn More: Division of Water - DWSRF
Questions? See Division of Water SRF Contacts
See also Kentucky Infrastructure Authority

Green Infrastructure

Funding Source: IIJA/BIL
Program Title: Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant (OSG)
Purpose: To support rural and disadvantaged communities seeking to use green infrastructure and nature-based solutions to address stormwater issues
Who Can Apply: municipal entities, priority to rural or disadvantaged
Deadlines: Letter of Intent, May 15, 2026 / Applications, July 10, 2026
Where to Apply: EEC-DOW program portal
Questions? contact dale.booth@ky.gov