Latest news with #GrantProgram
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
LIST: Austin federal grant funding losses include $50M for flood mitigation, $15M for public health
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The city of Austin is starting to see the direct impact of federal cuts on its services and staff. In a work session Tuesday, Austin City Council members talked about the city's five-year financial forecast. While much of that discussion surrounded the state cap on property tax, and the impact that state law has had on local government, federal cuts are also a major concern for Austin leaders. 'We find ourselves in real financial pressure for this upcoming budget cycle and the needs of our community are great and they are increasing as more services are cut at the federal level,' Austin Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes said. In a memo from the city of Austin's Intergovernmental Relations Office, staff said the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is ending a number of resiliency grants. The city of Austin expects to lose $50 million it was anticipating for hardening major infrastructure as a result. '[FEMA] is ending its Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grant Program and canceling all BRIC applications from Fiscal Years 2020-2023 if funds have not been distributed in communities. Staff is still reviewing the impact. There is an expected loss of a $50 million BRIC Flood Mitigation grant,' city staff wrote. A city spokesperson said that grant was earmarked for the Fallwell Lane Capital Renewal Project which would help protect the South Austin Regional (SAR) Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Austin Energy Sand Hill Energy Center (SHEC) from major flood events. 'It has been estimated that a single catastrophic flood event at the facilities could cause losses of over $1.6 billion at the site…both plants would be inoperable and unable to generate electricity or treat wastewater,' the city's website said. The city said that wastewater treatment plan represents half the wastewater treatment plant capacity for the city, and the energy center represents 24% of the base load power capacity. Because the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is cutting $11.4 billion in COVID-19-related funding, Austin Public Health (APH) said five grants and 27 full-time staff will be cut in their current capacity. APH said the city will work to move those employees to other vacant positions through the remainder of the fiscal year (end of September). 'To clarify, the annualized cost is $7.5M, but through multi-year grants, it may add up to approximately $15M. An additional 28 or more staff members may be affected by more cuts,' APH said. The city said because nearly all employees at the Institute of Museum and Library Services in Washington D.C. were placed on administrative leave, grants and contracts are unlikely to move forward. 'Austin Public Library (APL) submitted three grant applications that will no longer be considered, resulting in a loss of $275K in prospective funding,' the memo said. The Intergovernmental Relations Office said the Department of Energy has informed them it's finalizing a list of contracts to cancel. 'The City of Austin was notified that a $1 million grant for Advanced Grid Responsive Technologies for Existing Multifamily Properties may be included for cancellation,' staff wrote. The city's Intergovernmental Relations Office said it will continue to keep city leaders updated on further changes. 'We can only anticipate more,' Fuentes said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press
04-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Duke Energy Offers $500,000 To Support South Carolina First Responders
GREENVILLE, S.C., April 4, 2025 /3BL/ - South Carolina government agencies and nonprofits can now apply for grants up to $20,000 to fund training, life-saving equipment and innovative technology to aid in weather-related disaster planning and recovery operations. What's happening: Duke Energy Foundation is offering $500,000 through the 2025 Helping Emergency Response Organizations (HERO) Grant Program to support severe weather emergency preparedness across the Palmetto State. Why it matters: Hurricane Helene's impact on South Carolina was historic, widespread and deadly – forever changing lives and landscapes. The storm also forced communities and their first responders to rethink how they prepare for future severe weather events. Duke Energy Foundation microgrants will help local governments and nonprofits improve their planning and responses. How it works Application process: South Carolina nonprofits and governmental agencies can apply for individual grants up to $20,000 through April 25. Eligible projects: Funding is available to support equipment upgrades, communication tools, specialized training, planning initiatives, severe weather materials and kits, storm shelters and preparedness activities that benefit low-income communities. More info and application: Go to for complete details. By the numbers What they're saying Duke Energy FoundationDuke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders. Duke Energy Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. The company's electric utilities serve 8.4 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 54,800 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. Duke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition, keeping customer reliability and value at the forefront as it builds a smarter energy future. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage. More information is available at and the Duke Energy News Center . Follow Duke Energy on X , LinkedIn , Instagram and Facebook , and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition. Contact: Ryan Mosier24-Hour: 800.559.3853 View original content here . Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from Duke Energy Corporation
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Electric reliability improvements focus of new Texas Energy Fund program
Feb. 13—AUSTIN — The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) on Thursday approved a new rule establishing the Texas Energy Fund (TEF) Outside of ERCOT Grant Program (OEGP). The program will provide grants to Texas electric utilities and power generators outside of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) region. Grants can finance modernization, weatherization, reliability and resiliency enhancements, and vegetation management. "Every corner of our state faces unique weather threats and challenges, and ensuring every Texas electric utility and power generator maintains a resilient system is essential to providing reliable, affordable power to all Texans," PUCT Chairman Thomas Gleeson said in a news release. "The rule approved today will ensure that the TEF improves electric reliability for all Texans, whether inside or outside the ERCOT region." The new rule, TAC 16 §25.512, implements provisions of Senate Bill 2627, passed by the 88th Texas Legislature and signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott in 2023. It establishes procedures for applying for a grant under the OEGP, and the eligibility requirements and terms of the grant awards. The ERCOT region encompasses about 75 percent of the geographic area of Texas. Some electric utilities that serve Texas consumers are not located within ERCOT. According to the rule, Texas electric utilities and power generators outside of the ERCOT region may apply for grants for the following types of projects: facility modernization, facility weatherization, reliability and resiliency, and vegetation management. Those categories are defined in detail in the rule. Qualifying entities may not apply for grants to pay debt or construct or upgrade a facility not located in Texas, among other restrictions. Specifics regarding the grant application procedure, review process, and grant award amounts are outlined in the rule. Requirements for monitoring and assessing the performance of projects funded by the grants will be outlined in each individual grant agreement. The Outside ERCOT Grant Program is one of four Texas Energy Fund (TEF) programs created under the Powering Texas Forward Act, which was established by the Texas Legislature through passage of Senate Bill 2627 in 2023. The rule establishing the Outside ERCOT Grant Program adopted today is the third TEF rule adopted by the Commission. The In-ERCOT Generation Loan Program rule and the Completion Bonus Grant Program rule were adopted on March 21 and April 25th, 2024, respectively. Additional information about the Texas Energy Fund is available on the PUCT website: Texas Energy Fund.
