Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Pacific Northwest CESU | G18AS00031

Opportunity Information: Apply for G18AS00031

The Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Pacific Northwest CESU grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number G18AS00031) is a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Department of the Interior funding announcement focused on applied research related to renewable energy and wildlife impacts. It is offered as a discretionary award using a cooperative agreement mechanism, meaning the work is expected to be carried out with substantial involvement from USGS in coordination and collaboration rather than as a hands-off grant. The program sits in the Science and Technology/Research and Development category and is tied to CFDA number 15.808.

The central purpose of the opportunity is to support research that evaluates the expected advantages of "repowering" wind energy facilities in southern California. Repowering, in this context, refers to replacing older wind turbines that are smaller, less efficient, and potentially more harmful to wildlife with newer turbines that are larger, more efficient, and potentially less harmful. The research is intended to generate information that helps determine whether repowering can improve both energy production outcomes and environmental performance, particularly in ways that could matter for decision-making by regulators, developers, and other stakeholders involved in wind energy permitting and operations.

A major motivation described in the announcement is that all forms of electricity generation have environmental tradeoffs, including renewables such as wind, solar, and geothermal. The opportunity highlights wildlife injury and mortality risks, especially for birds and bats, as well as broader habitat impacts from renewable energy development that can reduce habitat quantity and quality. These impacts are not only ecological concerns; the announcement explicitly connects them to economic and administrative burdens. When environmental costs are high, projects can face greater permitting hurdles, operational constraints, and compliance requirements, all of which can raise overall project costs. Those costs can ultimately affect ratepayers by increasing the difficulty and expense of developing, permitting, and operating renewable energy facilities.

Eligibility is limited to partners within the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network, specifically under the Pacific Northwest CESU framework, with the listing indicating eligibility as "Others" and directing applicants to additional eligibility language in the full announcement. The opportunity anticipates a single award, with an award ceiling of $166,756. The announcement was created on March 21, 2018, and had an original closing date of April 5, 2018, indicating a short application window typical of targeted research solicitations that are designed to address a specific agency need.

Overall, this funding opportunity is best understood as a targeted USGS-sponsored research effort to quantify and clarify the benefits of wind facility repowering in southern California, with an emphasis on reducing wildlife and habitat impacts while improving energy efficiency. The intended outcome is practical, decision-relevant evidence that can support more efficient renewable energy deployment, reduce environmental conflicts, and potentially lower the downstream cost and complexity of permitting and operating wind energy projects.

• The Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Pacific Northwest CESU" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.808.
• This funding opportunity was created on Mar 21, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 05, 2018. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $166,756.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for G18AS00031

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