Assistance to High Energy Cost Communities

The purpose of this grant program is to assure access to adequate and reliable energy services for persons in extremely high energy cost communities by providing financial assistance to acquire, construct, extend, upgrade, and otherwise improve energy generation, transmission, or distribution facilities serving the community.

Eligible applicants include States, political subdivisions of States, for-profit and non-profit businesses, cooperatives, associations, organizations, and other entities organized under the laws of States, Indian tribes, tribal entities, and individuals. The governments and entities located in any U.S. Territory/possession or other area authorized by law to receive the services and programs of the Rural Utilities Service or the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended, are also eligible.

Projects must serve rural communities in which the annual average residential expenditure for home energy is at least 275 percent of the national average. Energy cost eligibility benchmarks are included in the published Notice of Funding Availability.

The authority to make awards is reserved to the Administrator of the USDA Rural Utilities Service.

Typically from 120 to 180 days. Selection of grant finalists will be announced approximately 90 to 180 days after the application deadline. Final Grant awards will be approved after completion of environmental review and other pre-obligation requirements.