The U.S. Energy Department is due to receive concept papers on a $99.5 million funding opportunity aimed at ensuring widespread and accelerated electrification of the transportation sector. The funding, allocated for fiscal year 2023, will support projects to reduce soft costs for improving charging infrastructure in underserved communities, provide consumer education on EVs, and develop batteries that use low-cost, abundant materials. The department selected 45 projects, totaling $87 million for fiscal year 2022, to drive innovation in technology and materials development for EVs, create new concepts to lower emissions associated with off-road vehicles, and develop novel solutions to deploy clean mobility options in underserved communities.

The Bureau of Land Management is due to receive comments on an environmental review analyzing 32 parcels totaling about 10,735.41 acres in North Dakota, for the proposed September 2023 competitive oil and gas lease sale. The lease sale will include updated fiscal provisions authorized by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, including a royalty rate of 16.67 percent, up from the previous minimum of 12.5 percent.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management will hold a hearing to discuss its draft environmental assessment for two wind energy projects offshore New Jersey – Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 1 and Project 2. The combined proposal, referred to as the Atlantic Shores South Wind Project, is a joint venture of EDF Renewables North America and Shell New Energies US LLC. The projects could collectively generate about 2,800 megawatts of electricity if approved. Project 1 has an Offshore Wind Renewable Energy Certificate award from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities for 1,510 megawatts of power. Atlantic Shores is seeking a second power offtake agreement for Project 2.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration will issue its Monthly Energy Review, providing data on energy production, consumption, prices, and trade. The U.S. added an estimated 14 gigawatts of solar generating capacity and about 8 gigawatts of wind capacity during the twelve months ending May 2023, according to the agency’s latest short-term outlook. Due to a expected increase in summer generation from solar, wind and nuclear, the agency forecasts a reduction of 15 percent in coal-fired generation compared to last year’s summer.

The Internal Revenue Service is due to receive comments on proposed rules concerning the low-income communities bonus energy investment credit program established pursuant to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Applicants investing in certain solar and wind powered-electricity generation facilities may apply for an allocation of environmental justice solar and wind capacity limitation to increase the amount of an energy investment credit for the taxable year in which the facility is placed in service. The proposal describes definitions and requirements for the calendar year 2023 capacity limitation, which also would inform guidance for future program years.

The U.S. Energy Department is due to award contracts to successful offerors for the purchase of approximately 3 million barrels of crude oil to replenish the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the world’s largest supply of emergency crude oil, with federally owned oil stocks stored in underground salt caverns at Texas and Louisiana. The move follows President Biden’s three-part replenishment plan to pursue additional repurchase opportunities this year as market conditions allow.