Section 50303 of the IRA appropriates $150 million to the DOI to hire and train personnel, develop programmatic documents, procure services, develop data and information systems, engage stakeholders and community, and purchase analysis equipment for environmental reviews and authorizations by the National Park Service, the BLM, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, and the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. The appropriated funds will remain available until September 30, 2026.
Current Status:
Trump Administration Actions:
- Litigation Compliance Report Indicates DOI Released Some Previously Frozen Awards [04/23/2025]
- DOI Secretary Issues Order to Review IRA Regulations and Spending [02/03/2025]
- OMB Orders Temporary Pause on Financial Assistance Programs, Later Rescinded [01/27/2025]
- OMB Clarifies Scope of the Order to Halt IRA Spending [01/21/2025]
- Trump Issues Executive Order to Halt All IRA Funding Disbursements [01/20/2025]
Implementation Status at End of Biden Administration:
DOI has begun using appropriations from this section to support efficient and effective environmental reviews, sometimes commingled with funding from other IRA sections. DOI’s press releases indicate that there is still funding left unspent.
Biden Administration Actions:
- DOI Announces Aquatic Resource Program Funding Opportunity in Alaska with March 17, 2025 Deadline [11/13/2024]
- DOI Launches POWERON Acoustic Monitoring Program for Offshore Wind [10/29/2024]
- DOI Announces $2.4 Million in Funding for Cultural Landscape Study in California and Arizona [10/16/2024]
- DOI Announces Updated Western Solar Plan [01/17/2024]