US: How to Apply for Geothermal Grant and Loan 2024

The purpose of this solicitation is to award grants to fund projects focused on geothermal energy and lithium recovery from geothermal brine that support local jurisdictions and private entities to advance the geothermal sector and related activities per Public Resource Code (PRC) Sections 3800-3827 and California Code of Regulations (CCR) Sections 1660-1665. 

Description:

This solicitation aims to support the goals of Senate Bill 100 (SB 100, De Leon, Chapter 312, Statures of 2018), Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32, Nunez, Chapter 488, Statutes of 2006), and SB 32 (Pavley, Chapter 249, Statutes of 2016) to meet the eligible renewable energy, zero-carbon energy, and greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.

The proposed projects must not exceed thirty-six (36) months in length – the project term must be in alignment with the proposed project scope and budget, and it is encouraged to explain that alignment in the Project Narrative (Attachment 3). The proposed projects are limited to addressing one of the eligible purposes allowed by the Geothermal Grant and Loan Program, as presented in Section I.C., Project Focus, per PRC Section 3823.

This solicitation will be conducted as a two-phase process. Phase one is for local jurisdictions that want to compete for technical assistance funds to develop and prepare the full proposal for this solicitation. Phase one applicants need to complete a 1) Technical Assistance Application Form, 2) Technical Assistance Project Summary, and 3) Technical Assistance Scope of Work. Phase two is for local jurisdictions and private entities to submit the full proposal, as indicated in Section I E. (Key Activities Schedule) of this solicitation.

See Part II of this solicitation for applicant and project eligibility requirements. Phase one and Phase two applications will be evaluated as follows: (1) proposal screening and (2) proposal scoring, as fully described in Section IV. Applicants may submit multiple applications, though each application must address only one of the eligible purposes identified in Section 1 C. (Project Focus) of this solicitation. If an applicant submits multiple applications, each application must be for a distinct project (i.e., no overlap to the tasks described in the Scope of Work).

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible Applicants:

• Business
• Tribal Government

This solicitation is open to private entities, defined as any individual or organization engaged in the exploration and development of geothermal energy for profit, per PRC Section 3809, and local jurisdictions, defined as any unit of Indian government, any city, county, or district. 

Eligible Geographies:

Federal agencies, national laboratories, state universities, and state agencies are not eligible for funding; however, they may be eligible as a project partner or subcontractor. Local jurisdiction and private entities are eligible for funding as grant recipients. They can also be a project partner and subcontractor.

Matching Funding Requirement:

Match funding is not required for local jurisdictions under Phase One or Phase Two. However, match funding is required in the amount of 100% of the requested grant funds for private entities for Phase Two.

For more information, go to: https://www.grants.ca.gov/grants/gfo-23-402-geothermal-grant-and-loan-program/