As others are pointing out the fact that $13B seems quite low, there’s more information here: https://www.energy.gov/gdo/building-better-grid-webinar https://w

As others are pointing out the fact that $13B seems quite low, there’s more information here: https://www.energy.gov/gdo/building-better-grid-webinar https://www.energy.gov/gdo/building-better-grid-webinar Paging thru the slide deck, it seems that the focus will be on renewables and storage (solar, wind, and battery). The small amount of “free” money is in the form of grants. Competitive businesses do seek these funds. To receive the grant, they have to win it, and that includes writing a plan (for a business they already want to conduct) into a grant application. That plan must heed the government’s regulations and objectives – the person writing the application knows it. The money is small for the total cost of the project, but it’s a carrot to direct already-effective builders towards building the way that the government wants them to build. The stick exists, too. For example, some EPA regulations will fine or block new builds (and even just upgrades or maintenances) that do not follow the latest regulations.