The Maintaining & Enhancing Hydroelectricity Incentives – or Section 247 program – is designed to support and enhance existing hydropower facilities through Grid Resilience, Dam Safety, and Environmental Improvements. Incentive payments shall not exceed 30% of the costs of the applicable capital, improvement, and not more than $5M will be provided to any facility in any Fiscal Year.
Overview
Office:Grid Deployment Office |
New Program:Yes |
Funding amount:$553,600,000 |
Funding Mechanism:Incentive Payment |
Recipients:Non-Federal owners of qualified hydroelectric facilities that meet the following qualifications:1. FERC licensed and placed in service before enactment of this section2. In compliance with all applicable Federal, Tribal, and State requirements; or would be brought into compliance as a result of capital improvements. |
Period of Availability:Available until expended |
More Information
Eligible Uses
Incentives are provided projects, which Department of Energy determines is eligible, in three categories: (1) improving grid resiliency; (2) improving dam safety; and (3) environmental improvements.
Each category includes:
- Improving Grid Resiliency
- Adapting more quickly to changing grid conditions
- Providing ancillary services
- Integrating other variable sources of electricity generation
- Managing accumulated reservoir sediments
- Improving Dam Safety
- Maintenance or upgrade of spillways or other appurtenant structures
- Dam stability improvements, including erosion repair and enhanced seepage controls
- Upgrades or replacements of floodgates or natural infrastructure restoration
- Environmental Improvements
- Adding or improving safe & effective fish passage
- Improving quality of water retained or released by a qualified hydroelectric facility
- Promoting downstream sediment transport processes and habitat maintenance
- Improving Recreation access to project vicinity
Program Announcements
Download the Request For Information or Read the Press Release
Next Milestone
Estimated application opening date is Q2 of 2023.
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