Grid Resiliency and Reliability Grants

Montana's Energy Infrastructure Resilience Grant Program will be releasing a second round of funding in Spring 2026. More information to be announced soon.

Eligible entities that can apply for sub-grant funding include the following recipients:

• Electric grid operator.
• Electricity storage operator.
• Electricity generator.
• Transmission owners or operators.
• Distribution providers.
• Fuel suppliers.

Examples of qualifying resiliency measures include, but are not limited to:

• Weatherization technologies and equipment.
• Fire-resistant technologies and fire prevention systems.
• Monitoring and control technologies.
• Undergrounding of electrical equipment.
• Utility pole management.
• Relocation of power lines or the reconductoring of power lines with low-sag, advanced conductors.
• Vegetation and fuel-load management.
• Use or construction of distributed energy resources for enhancing system.
• Adaptive capacity during disruptive events, including—
  • microgrids
  • battery-storage subcomponents
• Adaptive protection technologies.
• Advanced modeling technologies.
• Hardening of power lines, facilities, substations, of other systems.
• Replacement of old overhead conductors and underground cables.

Sub-grantees must follow Federal requirements to utilize funding for qualifying projects through the Montana sub-grant program. Requirements include domestic material sourcing, prevailing wage conditions, and cost matching. See the terms below for more information on requirements, limitations, and cost matching.

Federal Requirements

• Regular reports on financials, project progression, and metrics.
• Projects must comply with the Federal:
  • National Environmental Policy Act
  • Build America Buy America Act
    • Domestic material sourcing requirements
  • Davis-Bacon Act
    • Prevailing wage requirements

Federal Limitations

• Funding cannot be used for: Cybersecurity, new generation facilities, large-scale battery storage not used for adaptive capacity.
• Grant funded projects cannot have a cost recovery for any portion of the project.

Cost Matching

Matching funds are required for entities that receive a subgrant with the amount based on the annual amount of electricity sold. In addition to the match requirements detailed below, grant recipients will be required to provide a 15% cost share on the federal award.

• Entities that sell more than 4,000,000 MWh of electricity per year will be required to match 100% of the amount of the sub-grant.
• Entities that sell 4,000,000 MWh or less of electricity per year require a 33% match of the total sub-grant.
• Small Utilities: Funds must be made available to small utilities (less than 4,000,000 MWh per year), based on the percentage of customers served by those utilities.

What if an eligible entity has multiple projects or the same project but multiple locations? Do we have to apply for separate projects and/or locations?

• Yes, if the applying entity is applying for funding on multiple eligible projects, or the same project in multiple locations, the entity must submit a separate application for each project and/or location.

Can we be reimbursed on project activities than began before receiving approval from the U.S. Department of Energy?

• Recipients are only eligible for reimbursements on project activities that occurred after a contract has been fully executed.

Are there waivers available for Build America Buy America (BABA)?

• Yes, the 3 primary waivers include the Non-Availability, Unreasonable Cost, and Public Interest waivers. The most common type used for grid resilience projects is the non-availability waiver. DOE’s waiver process is very slow, so we highly encourage applicants who anticipate needing a BABA waiver to submit the waiver to DEQ as early as possible after application selection. More information can be found on DOE’s website.

Is Davis-Bacon a requirement for all entities?

• Yes, Davis-Bacon Act (DBA) requirements apply to work that involves construction, alteration, or repair paid for with federal funds.

Do we need to submit weekly certified payroll reports?

• Yes, certified payroll reports will need to be submitted for work involving construction, alteration, or repair. The certified payroll reports will be submitted through LCPtracker.

Do I need to submit certified payroll reports to LCPtracker during the design phase?

• No, certified payroll reports are only required for laborers performing construction activities.

What is LCPtracker?

• LCPtracker is a third-part software application contracted by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for the submission of weekly, certified payroll reports. LCPtracker allows for certified payroll reports and workforce data to be uploaded and electronically signed. For more information on LCPtracker visit DOE's website.

What kind of training is available for LCPtracker?

• Contractors/subrecipients will need to complete the LCPtracker Contractor Training presented by LCPtracker. Sign up for the training by emailing training-DOE-BIL-DBLS@lcptracker.com.

What reporting requirements are associated with this grant?

• Subrecipients are required to submit Quarterly Progress Reports quarterly and an Annual Metrics and Impact report due December 30.

Presentation Slides

Presentation Slides:

• Department of Environmental Quality Presentation on grid resilience funding objectives, background, reporting metrics, and updates.
• LBNL Presentation on grid resilience metrics for utilities.
• Baringa Consulting Presentation on resilience planning and investment options for extreme weather hazards in Montana.