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Energy & Environment Innovation Funding
Total Funding: $99,999,999
Central Arkansas Award: $49,250,000
This transformative grant will fund projects throughout Central Arkansas, Northwest Arkansas, and the Arkansas River Valley, representing half the Natural State’s population. Metroplan is serving as the lead agency on the grant, one of only 25 funded nationally.
Funding Categories
Central Arkansas’ $49.25 million allocation will fund projects to sequester and reduce emissions by protecting and restoring natural areas, increasing efficiency, and improving access to active transportation.
Central Arkansas EEI Funding Summary
Pass-Through Funding
Pass-through funding will be awarded to eligible entities and/or project partners to implement carbon reduction programs. Eligible entities include city and county governments in the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which includes Pulaski, Faulkner, Saline, Lonoke, Grant, and Perry Counties. Other governmental agencies, special districts, or nonprofit organizations may apply in partnership with eligible entities.
| Program | Description | Grant Budget | Remaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Networks: Land Acquisition and Conservation | Grants to buy right-of-way or place conservation easements on natural areas around the Central Arkansas Regional Greenways. | $6,000,000 | $0 |
| Green Networks: Land Restoration and Tree Planting | Grants to plant trees/vegetation, and remove invasive plants/debris to increase the carbon sequestration potential of natural areas. | $9,500,000 | $6,784,000 |
| Green Networks: Bike-Pedestrian Infrastructure | Grants to design and construct Regional Greenways and other safe, convenient connections to transit, jobs, education, and essential services. | $8,000,000 | $2,318,400 |
| Transportation Efficiency: EV Fleet Conversion | Rebates for the replacement of existing fleet vehicles (cars and light-duty trucks) with EVs. | $1,000,000 | $330,000 |
| Transportation Efficiency: EV Charging Infrastructure | Rebates for the installation of EV charging ports. | $995,000 | $342,500 |
| Transportation Efficiency: Streetlight Conversion | Grants to cities and counties to work with utility providers to replace conventional streetlights with LED fixtures. | $5,000,000 | $916,060 |
| Building Efficiency: Energy Savings Performance Contracting Incentive | Grants to expedite and/or enhance public building energy savings and efficiency upgrades. | $3,500,000 | $3,500,000 |
Direct Funding
Central Arkansas’ CPRG award also includes subawards for specific carbon reduction and workforce development initiatives.
| Program | Description | Grant Budget |
|---|---|---|
| Green Networks/Transportation Efficiency: E-Bike Rebate Program | Point-of-sale rebates for e-bike purchases. | $1,500,000 |
| Building Efficiency: C-PACE Revolving Loan Fund | Low-interest loans to finance highly efficient energy systems in commercial building construction and rehabilitation. Managed by the Arkansas Advanced Energy Foundation. | $3,500,000 |
| Building Efficiency: Clinton National Airport Geothermal | Funding to the Clinton National Airport (LIT) to construct approx. 700 geothermal wells for a $25 million geothermal Central Utility Plant facility. | $7,750,000 |
| Workforce Development | Apprenticeships, trainings, and certification programs in energy efficiency, solar, and land restoration. Managed by Arkansas Advanced Energy Foundation. | $1,055,021 |