The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) announcing the availability of more than $360 million that can be used by state, local and tribal governments to support climate and energy initiatives including energy efficiency, regional planning, and community education.

For the Planning Grants:

• Funding to support the preparation of Regional Plans for Sustainable Development that address housing, economic development, transportation, and environmental quality in an integrated fashion where such plans do not currently exist;
  
• Funding to support the preparation of more detailed execution plans and programs to implement existing regional sustainable development plans (that address housing, economic development, transportation, and environmental quality in an integrated fashion); and
  
• Implementation funding to support regions that have regional sustainable development plans and implementation strategies in place and need support for a catalytic project or program that demonstrates commitment to and implementation of the broader plan.
• Small metropolitan or rural areas. The grant amount awarded under the program to an eligible entity that represents a small metropolitan or rural area with a population of not more than 499,999 may not exceed $2,000,000.
• Large metropolitan areas. The grant amount awarded under the program to an eligible entity that represents a large metropolitan area with a population of 500,000 or more may not exceed $5,000,000.

The Appropriations Act also appropriates $40 million for a Community Planning Challenge (CPC) Grants Program. HUD will publish a separate NOFA for the CPC program.

For full eligibility and application details, please visit the links provided below.

• Notice of Intent: State Efficiency Grants--$30 million
• Advance Notice: Sustainable Communities Planning Grant Program--$100 million
• Weatherization Assistance Program--$210 million
• Food Service Equipment Grants--$25 million

Key Dates
- June 5: Applications due to HUD
- Approximately Aug. 2: Grant awardees announced

For more information visit the HUD Web site .