- The Small Utility Clean Energy Planning Grant Program, funded by congressionally approved and lawfully awarded funds from U.S. EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG), is designed to facilitate the transition of municipal and cooperative utilities to cleaner energy sources by supporting their planning efforts. The program will provide financial assistance for technical assessments, procurement strategies, and implementation planning to help these utilities secure renewable power purchase agreements (PPAs) and integrate clean energy generation into their portfolios.
- Through this grant program, municipal and cooperative utilities will receive funding to assess their energy needs, evaluate available renewable energy options, and develop procurement strategies that align with Illinois’ decarbonization goals. The initiative aims to equip utilities with the resources needed to navigate the complexities of clean power integration, ensuring compliance with state and federal climate policies while maintaining reliable and affordable electricity service.
Clean Energy Planning
Keeping Clean Power Goals on Track
Program Overview
Funding & Eligibility
- The program will allocate $2 million over a five-year period, with the goal of supporting between 8-12 municipal or cooperative electric utilities in their strategic clean energy planning, procurement, and implementation efforts.
- Funding can be used for projects that demonstrate a clear strategy to support clean energy transition planning, align with statewide CEJA goals, and facilitate the retirement, replacement, or re-contracting of fossil-fuel based electricity sources. Please check the NOFO for a list of eligible funding activities.
How to Apply
Applications are now open and due June 3, 2025. Please visit the Notice of Funding Opportunity for more information and to apply.