Intergovernmental Review Process

The Department’s responsibility for the Intergovernmental Review Process (IRP) originates from President Ronald Reagan’s 1982 Executive Orders 12372 and 12416 and Governor John H. Sununu’s 1983 Executive Order 83-10.  The IRP provides a method and opportunities for state and local governments to review and comment on federally funded programs and development during the planning stages.  The process is intended, in part, to foster strong partnerships between the various levels of government. The process applies to federal programs and development which involve state or local government contribution of non-federal funds, or which would directly affect state or local government interests.  

The Department serves as the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for the IRP.  As the SPOC, the Department receives requests for review from public or private applicants for federal funding of programs or development within the state.  

New Hampshire’s nine Regional Planning Agencies, as Regional Clearinghouses, assist and coordinate local governments with responses to proposed, federally funded programs and development subject to the IRP.

Grants Exempt from the Intergovernmental Review Process

This serves as notice that the following programs have been determined to not require a review starting January 1, 2025. This determination was made per Executive Order 12372, Part 1, Appendix I, Section 3(b).

Any State agency conditions, comments, or State process recommendation that accompanied the original review might still be in effect.

Exempt Programs

If your organization sees the following Program or ALN on this list, select B. Program is subject to E.O. 12372 but has not been selected by State for review, on the SF424 form.

• National Science Foundation - Engineering (47.04)
• National Science Foundation - Mathematical and Physical Sciences (47.049)
• National Science Foundation - Geosciences (47.050)
• National Science Foundation - Computer and Information Science and Engineering (47.070)
• National Science Foundation - Biological Sciences (47.074)
• National Science Foundation - Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (47.075)
• National Science Foundation - STEM Education (formerly Education and Human Resources) (47.076)
• National Science Foundation - Office of International Science and Engineering (47.079)
• National Science Foundation - Integrative Activities (47.083)
• National Science Foundation - Polar Programs (47.078)
• National Science Foundation - Technology, Innovation & Partnerships (47.084)
• USDA - Community Facilities (CF) – All Loan Guarantees
• USDA - Community Facilities Guaranteed Loans – All Loan Guarantees
• USDA - Business and Industry Guaranteed (B&I) Loans – All Loan Guarantees
• USDA - Water/Wastewater Disposal Loan Guarantees – All Loan Guarantees
• USDA - Community Facilities (CF) – Direct Loans and Grants for the purpose of:
  • Vehicles and Equipment
  • Real Estate Purchase with No Change in Use
• USDA - Rural Business Enterprise Grants (RBEG) – For the purpose of:
  • Technical Assistance
  • Revolving Loan Funds (RLF), (review initial RLF application only)
• USDA - Rural Business Enterprise Grants (RBEG) – Exempt for Feasibility and Planning Grants
• USDA - Intermediary Re-Lending Program (IRP) Loans – Same as RBEG
• USDA - All RD Programs – Subsequent Loans and/or Grants for the purpose of cost overruns or minor project changes
• USDA - Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Guaranteed Loans and Grants – For the purpose of Feasibility Studies and all projects less than $200,000 (renewable energy and energy efficiency)
• USDA - Value Added Producer Grants (VAPG) – For the purpose of Feasibility Studies, Business Plans or Working Capital
• USDA - Community Programs Pre-Development Planning Grants (PPG)

Exempt New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Programs

• Clean Water State Revolving Fund
• Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
• Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund
• American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021
• PFAS – Remediation Loan Fund
• Water Infrastructure for the Nation Act (WIIN)
• BIL Emerging Contaminants in Small and Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Grant
• Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grants (OSG) Program

Submissions to the Department of Energy

IRP Requests must be sent to the Department using the following email address: nhspoc@energy.nh.gov. PAPER COPIES OR FAXES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

IRP Requests include the following components:

1. A cover letter, addressed to the Department’s designee to receive IRPs, including the name of and contact information for the applicant(s), and any state or federal program or project manager;
2. A detailed description of the program or project. This narrative should be provided as a Word or PDF document, separate from the cover letter;
3. A signed copy of Standard Form 424, the standard cover sheet for all federal assistance applications.
   • The Standards Form link above will download the form.  Please fill out, sign, save and submit the form.
4. A budget sheet;
5. If applicable, a map of the location of the proposed project. 

It will take up to seven days for the Department to process an acknowledgement letter. This letter can used as proof of submission but is not required for submission of the grant. There is a box on the SF 424 form, Question 19, which asks if and when the grant was submitted for intergovernmental review. Check that box and fill in the date you submitted the grant for the IRP to the Department.

The Department will send the grant proposal out for comment to interested state agencies and local governments, for the 30-day review. You do NOT have to wait for results of the IRP to submit you grant application.

The Department’s IRP manual provides more information about the IRP and the complete instructions for submission to, and the processing by, the Department of IRP requests. 

• New Hampshire Intergovernmental Review Process Manual

For more information, please contact:

Alexis LaBrie, Grants Program Coordinator
Email: nhspoc@energy.nh.gov