The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) opened applications Oct. 20 for $967.1 million in grid grants intended to limit power outages as electricity demand grows.
The allocations for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 cover states, territories, the District of Columbia, federally recognized tribes, Alaska Native Village Corporations and Alaska Native Regional Corporations. Recipients will choose which eligible projects to fund.
California’s state allocation is $69.8 million, compared with $50.3 million for Texas and $32.8 million for Alaska. Alaska’s state figure is separate from the amounts listed for Alaska Native entities.
A noncompetitive formula sets allocations using population, land area, the likelihood and severity of disruptions, and past spending to reduce those risks. Projects can include fire prevention, weatherization, moving electrical equipment underground, microgrids and battery storage.
DOE says the grants are meant to improve electricity reliability for communities and businesses. Lower electricity costs are also a stated goal, though the department gave no savings estimate.
The allocations are part of a wider grid program that includes $2.3 billion in formula grants for states and tribes and $2.5 billion in matching grants for industry. DOE said it had awarded nearly $1.3 billion through the formula program as of Oct. 25, 2024.
Existing recipients and new applicants can apply, DOE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory said. Applications are due Feb. 17, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
