DOE Opens $147 Million Phase II Funding Round for Small Businesses
DOE opened about $147 million in FY25 Phase II SBIR/STTR opportunities, while foreign-risk and cybersecurity reviews raise the stakes for applicants.
Department of Energy
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U.S. Settles $7.5 Million False Claims Case Involving Ascend Elements
The Justice Department announced a $7.5 million settlement with Ascend Elements over allegations involving a Department of Energy grant.
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DOE says Oak Ridge cleanup workaround moves priority project forward, could save $175 million
The Department of Energy says a workaround has advanced a top-priority cleanup project at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and could reduce projected costs by $175 million.
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DOE Opens $147 Million in Small-Business Technology Funding, Adds Genesis Mission Opportunity
The Energy Department opened roughly $147 million in Phase II SBIR/STTR opportunities and a new Genesis Mission competition expected to support about 40 U.S. small businesses.
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DOE selects 29 innovators from 27 startups for national lab entrepreneurship program
The 2026 Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program will place 29 innovators at four national laboratories for technical support, training and research access.
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DOE Draft Says U.S. Grid Needs Major Transmission Expansion as Data-Center Demand Grows
A new Department of Energy draft study identifies rising electricity demand from data centers, manufacturing and large industrial loads as a pressing reason to expand the nation’s transmission system.
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Ascend Elements agrees to pay $7.5 million over alleged misuse of DOE battery grant funds
Ascend Elements agreed to pay $7,497,555.65 to resolve allegations that it submitted inflated reimbursement claims for a Department of Energy-funded battery project in Kentucky.
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DOE emergency orders temporarily expand generation options across 17 states during summer heat
The Energy Department issued temporary emergency orders allowing specified generating units to operate at maximum output despite certain air-quality or permit limitations.
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Transportation Department launches national AI initiative to modernize infrastructure
The U.S. Department of Transportation says it will use artificial intelligence across the national transportation system, while leaving funding, projects and implementation details open.
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DOE orders emergency power measures across 17 states during July heat emergency
The Energy Department directed Southwest Power Pool to dispatch specified generation and authorize backup resources as extreme heat strained grid reliability.
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DOE opens 60-day review of national transmission needs as grid congestion and large-load demand grow
The Department of Energy released a draft national transmission study on July 10 and invited comments from states, Tribal Nations, communities and reliability organizations.
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Six University of Kentucky researchers selected for federal Genesis Mission, including grid-resilience project
Six University of Kentucky researchers are part of the first cohort of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Genesis Mission, including a UK-led project studying power-grid resilience during extreme wind events.
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DOE opens nearly $147 million in small-business funding
DOE opened nearly $147 million in Phase II funding plus a Genesis Mission Phase I opportunity for eligible U.S. small businesses developing advanced technologies.
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Federal Home-Energy Rebates Remain Available, but Rules Narrow Some Upgrades
Federal home-energy rebates remain available in select areas, but a May 29 DOE notice narrows some HEEHR gas-to-electric upgrades in existing homes.
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GAO Warns DOE Oversight Changes Could Affect $65.5B in Projects
A new GAO report says DOE and NNSA changes affecting major lab and nuclear-site projects could weaken cost oversight before measurable results are available.
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DOE proposes Process Rule update for appliance efficiency—what it could mean for home costs
DOE opened a proposed update to its appliance “Process Rule” on July 2. Comments are due Aug. 6 after a July 15 webinar—here’s what it could change.
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GAO: DOE may narrow nuclear waste cleanup options too early in planning
GAO report released July 2 says DOE’s “mission need” reviews may steer nuclear cleanup toward specific options—potentially raising costs and delaying work.
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DOE’s proposed Process Rule update: how future appliance standards may change
United States Energy Environment and Federal Rules – DOE proposes updating its appliance “Process Rule.” Comments due Aug 6; webinar July 15.
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GAO flags 24 priority-open recommendations for DOE—nuclear, cleanup, energy
United States Federal Watchdogs and Public Spending – GAO: DOE has 270 open recommendations, including 24 “priority open,” covering nuclear, cleanup, energy.
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DOE opens 60-day comment window on draft 2026 National Transmission Needs Study
United States Infrastructure and Power Grid – DOE released a draft 2026 transmission needs study for 60 days of public input; comments close Sept. 7.
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GAO: DOE nuclear waste “mission need” can lock in solutions early
United States Federal Watchdogs and Public Spending – GAO says DOE’s nuclear waste “mission need” stage names a preferred fix early, despite rules to keep options open.
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GAO flags slow Puerto Rico grid recovery after Hurricane Maria
United States National Accountability Fast Follow — a July 2 GAO report says most of the federal money for Puerto Rico’s grid recovery is still undisbursed, with reviews, staffing gaps and coordination problems slowing progress.