A working group comprised of members from Commerce as well as the Oklahoma offices of the Secretaries of Energy and the Environment was convened early in the process to establish priorities that would best serve the interests of Oklahoma, taking into consideration the requirements of DOE.Thereafter, a separate advisory committee evaluated 85 proposals submitted from all over the state and ultimately selected 40 projects to receive funding and an additional pool of money to be set aside to fund energy efficient projects in Oklahoma Main Street communities.

Many of the recommended projects are for building energy efficiency improvements while others include solar and wind renewable energy projects and alternative fuel vehicles. Among the criteria used in selecting projects were immediate job creation; use of current technology; use of Oklahoma companies; and demonstrating the state’s commitment to sustainability.

“We are very pleased to recommend these projects for funding,” says Secretary of Commerce and Tourism Natalie Shirley.”These projects provide an opportunity for some of Oklahoma’s smaller communities to benefit from stimulus funding. But more importantly, they allow the communities, their citizens and businesses to think and act strategically to be good stewards of the environment through energy efficiency and conservation.”

According to Commerce Community Development Director Vaughn Clark, the agency will prepare grant contracts for the recommended projects to ensure projects can begin as quickly as possible after approval from the DOE. The ARRA gives preference to projects that can be started and completed expeditiously. Funds will be provided to the state on a staged schedule to ensure project funds are being spent properly and that jobs are being created.
Following is the list of recommended projects that have been submitted by Commerce to the DOE for EECBG funding (Download the Word document):

Eligible Applicants: National labor-management organizations with local networks; or statewide or local nonprofit partnerships. All applicants are expected to work in conjunction with partnerships consisting of labor organizations, employers, Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs), and other organizations as defined in section 171(e)(2)(B)(ii) of WIA.

Description: Projects will provide training and placement services to prepare workers to enter the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries, as well as green occupations within other industries. Services will support workers impacted by national energy and environmental policy, individuals in need of updated training related to the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries, and unemployed workers. Proposed projects must be developed and implemented through strategic partnerships.

Details: Energy Training Partnership Grants and Funding Opportunity Number: SGA/DFA PY 08-18.

Webinar for prospective applicants: July 13, 1-2:30 p.m. central time. Information to come at http://www.workforce3one.org/.

Deadline: September 4, 2009.

Eligible Individuals: Any individual with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to organize and direct the proposed Core Center is invited to work with his/her institution to develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH support.

The Institution should designate a PD/PI who is a senior official with appropriate institutional authority to carry out the project, serve as director of the Core Center, and work with Core Center investigators to develop relevant research projects, such as an Associate Dean/Director for Research, or a faculty member at the Full Professor level (or equivalent) (e.g., Department Chair/Division Chief).

Description: These Core Center grants support the hiring of new faculty to develop research projects within the context of Biomedical Core Centers.

Details: Recovery Act Limited Competition: Supporting New Faculty Recruitment to Enhance Research Resources through Biomedical Research Core Centers (P30). RFA-OD-09-005.

Deadline: Letters of Intent Receipt Date: April 29, 2009; Application Receipt Date: May 29, 2009

Welcome.

The website is constantly being updated as new information becomes available. Please check back often. If you have specific questions, please submit them to Beth_Schmidt@okcommerce.gov.

Here are other excellent sources of information about the ARRA:

Oklahoma Department of Commerce disseminates information on Statewide ARRA Reporting Requirements:
State of Oklahoma ARRA Reporting Requirements Update

Eligible Applicants: US Land Grant Universities and Colleges and other universities having: “(1) demonstrable capacity in teaching, research, and extension (including outreach) activities in the agricultural sciences; and (2) can contribute effectively to the attainment of the objectives” of Title XII legislation.

Description: The Horticulture CRSP will identify the production, postharvest, food safety, marketing and enabling environment constraints to small and medium-sized enterprise participation in horticulture markets. The Horticulture CRSP will conduct and apply research findings, upgrade and disseminate technical knowledge and appropriate technology, and develop policy recommendations to link producers to markets. It will provide flexible mechanisms to create partnerships for building local scientific and technical capacity. It will strengthen academic and technical training and apply research to improve small holder production and competitiveness in high-valued horticultural products.

Details: Request for Applications (RFA) Number: M-OAA-EGAT-PEP-09-706

Deadline: May 18, 2009, 12:00 p.m. EDT
Pre-Application Conference April 15, 2009

Eligible Applicants: U.S. institutions/organizations proposing novel research in areas that address specific knowledge gaps, scientific opportunities, new technologies, data generation, or research methods.

Description: This new program will support research on specific scientific and health research challenges in biomedical and behavioral research that would benefit from significant 2-year jumpstart funds. NIH Institute and Centers have selected specific Challenge Topics within each of the Challenge Areas. The research in these Challenge Areas should have a high impact in biomedical or behavioral science and/or public health.

Details: NIH Challenge Grants in Health and Science Research (RC1). RFA-0D-09-003.

Deadline: April 27, 2009.

Eligible Applicants: Proposals will be accepted from federally recognized tribes and intertribal consortia.

Description: Funding under one of four categories: (1) proposals to characterize/assess open dumps; (2) proposals to develop integrated solid waste management (ISWM) plans and tribal codes and regulations; (3) proposals to develop and implement alternative solid waste management activities/facilities (including equipment acquisition); and (4) proposals to develop and implement cleanup, closure, and post-closure programs for open dumps in Indian Country.

Details: FY 2009 Tribal Solid Waste Management Assistance Project. EPA-OSWER-ORCR-09-02.

Deadline: April 20, 2009, 5 p.m. EDT

Eligible Applicants:

Description:

Deadline:

Eligible Applicants: Proposals will be accepted from Indian tribal governments and intertribal consortium or consortia.

Description: This grant program will support projects designed to develop and implement hazardous waste management programs. These programs must improve the applicant’s ability to properly identify, manage, or dispose of hazardous waste. All hazardous waste management activities that address the RCRA Subtitle C “cradle to grave” approach are eligible.

Details: FY 2009 Hazardous Waste Management Grant Program for Tribes. EPA-OSWER-ORCR-09-01.

Deadline: May 1, 2009, 5 p.m. EDT.

Eligible Applicants: School districts, municipalities, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), cities and counties involved with operation of diesel fleets or air quality may be eligible.

Description: The Recovery Act funding for National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program provides funding to reduce emissions from existing diesel engines through a variety of strategies. For Region 6, projects should be regional in scope with long-term sustainability beyond the assistance agreement and meet additional criteria.

Details: National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program

Deadline: April 28, 2009, 4 p.m. EDT at Regional EPA office