Resilient Energy for Wastewater Infrastructure Program

Resilient Energy for Wastewater Infrastructure Program

Illinois EPA Office of Energy intends to fund the implementation of resilience projects at publicly owned wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Wastewater infrastructure is vital for maintaining public health, environmental safety, economic stability and overall community functionality. Traditionally designed for reliability, these systems encounter new stressors from hazardous weather, aging assets, cyber threats, and population shifts. The REWI Program will fund solar and battery storage projects to increase energy resilience at wastewater treatment plants in Illinois.

Details

• Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection
• Departments: Office of Energy
• CSFA Number: 532-30-3653
• CSFA Popular Name: REWI Grant Program
• Funding Opportunity Number: 26.3653.01
• Assistance Listings Number: 81.041
• Announcement Type: Initial Announcement
• Award Type: Competitive
• Total Funding Available: $7,000,000.00
• Expected Number of Awards: 10
• Funding Sources: Federal Or Federal Pass Through
• Capital Grant: No
• Indirect Costs Allowed: Yes
• Posted Date: 2026-02-11
• Award Period: 2026-07-01 – 2028-06-30

Funding Source Description

The U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) State Energy Program Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (SEP IIJA) funding provides technical assistance to advance state-led energy initiatives and maximize the benefits of decreasing waste per 10 CFR 420. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) Office of Energy is responsible for the state-level program development and management.

Funding Restrictions

Refer to 2 CFR 200, as amended by 2 CFR 910 regulations - Subpart E- Cost Principles and 44 Ill.Admin.Code Part 7000

Indirect Cost Description

To charge indirect costs to a grant, the applicant must have an annually negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA). There are three types of NICRAs:

Federally Negotiated Rate. Organizations that receive direct federal funding may have an indirect cost rate that was negotiated with the Federal Cognizant Agency. The State of Illinois will accept the federally negotiated rate. The applicant must provide a copy of the federal NICRA.

State Negotiated Rate. The applicant must negotiate an indirect cost rate with the State of Illinois if they do not have a Federally Negotiated Rate or elect to use the De Minimis rate.

De Minimis Rate. An organization that has never received a Federally Negotiated Rate may elect a de minimis rate of 15% of modified total direct costs (MTDC). Once established, the de minimis rate may be used indefinitely. The State of Illinois must verify the calculation of the MTDC annually in order to accept the de minimis rate.

The indirect cost rate proposal must be submitted to the State of Illinois within 90 days of the award notice. An applicant has the discretion not to claim payment for indirect costs. Applicants that elect not to claim indirect costs cannot be reimbursed for indirect costs.

Restrictions on Indirect Costs

No

State Award Notices

After Illinois EPA has reviewed applications for eligibility and completed competitive scoring, successful applicants will be notified of an award. Once funding award pre-requisites are completed, the Grant Agreement between the Illinois EPA and the applicant will be provided for grantee signature. The returned Grant Agreement will be fully executed by the Illinois EPA and a copy returned to the grantee.

Only after the Grant Agreement has been signed by the Illinois EPA Director or designee can expenses be incurred for project reimbursement. Any expenses incurred outside the grant period (before or after) are not eligible either as match or for reimbursement related to the grant award.

Administrative and National Policy Requirements

This funding opportunity is available through formula grant financial assistance under USDOE's SEP with appropriations provided by the IIJA under Section 40109. Official sources for program requirements include 10 CFR Part 420 (covering SEP), and 2 CFR Part 200, as amended by 2 CFR Part 910 (the USDOE Financial Assistance Rules).

The Grant Funds Recovery Act (30 ILCS 705) also governs all grant awards resulting from this funding opportunity.

Reporting

All grantees will be required to submit quarterly reports to Illinois EPA describing the projects and costs incurred during the reporting periods outlined in the Grant Agreement. Quarterly reports will be due on October 20, January 20, April 20, and July 20 over the duration of the project's performance period.

Additional Information

https://epa.illinois.gov/topics/energy.html