Our Mission: Power A Clean Future Ohio is building momentum now for a clean, prosperous future by equipping local leaders for equitable, community-driven carbon reductions in Ohio. |
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Local Action Update:
Power a Clean Future Ohio launches Infrastructure Grant Assistance Program
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Yesterday, Power a Clean Future Ohio (PCFO) launched the Infrastructure Grant Assistance Program (IGAP), created to directly support local governments in applying for and strategically deploying federal resources made available through the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
The bipartisan infrastructure legislation provides federal grants to invest in the transition to a clean energy economy built on clean energy infrastructure, including a nationwide electric vehicle charging network, a modernized grid to support renewable energy deployment, and more efficient buildings and transit systems.
Mayor Edward Kraus of Solon said, “In looking at the recently passed federal infrastructure bill, much of the areas addressed fit perfectly into our city’s plans for the years ahead. Clean energy, transportation, and energy efficiency solutions benefit us all and it’s important for our community to be aggressive in securing needed funding in these areas to create a healthier and stronger future for our residents. Being part of PCFO better prepares us to be ready for these opportunities and bring real benefits to our community.”
Lima Mayor Sharetta Smith said, “Lima is ready to invest in our infrastructure by utilizing this historic federal funding, which very well may be a once-in-a-generation chance to address critical needs and modernize our community. We will take advantage of every chance to bring clean energy jobs and new economic opportunities to Lima residents. I look forward to working with PCFO’s team to prepare for these grant programs and build on the work we have already done together.”
Mayor David Scheffler of Lancaster said, “We are always looking for ways to create more jobs and increase economic development opportunities for our community and residents. Alongside the numerous benefits, federal grants also present their share of challenges for local governments to both apply for and manage. Utilizing support from PCFO will allow us to be more competitive and pursue funding that we may not have previously.”
To read more and find out how IGAP can help your community, click here.
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PCFO INFRASTRUCTURE GRANTS DIGEST Federal Funding: Find it here! |
Four recent grants were just released that may be of interest to your communities. If you are interested in applying or need PCFO’s support please contact Sarah Spence, IGAP Coordinator, at sarah@ohcef.org with any questions.
The Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program makes federal resources available to states and direct recipients to replace, rehabilitate and purchase buses and related equipment and to construct bus-related facilities including technological changes or innovations to modify low or no emission vehicles or facilities. The Low or No EmissionGrant Program is a sub-program.
Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) grants is a competitive program for projects that improve facilities within, or outside of and directly related to operations of or an intermodal connection to coastal seaports, inland river ports, and Great Lakes ports.
RAISE is a competitive grant program for surface transportation infrastructure projects that will have a significant local or regional impact. At least $15 million in funding is guaranteed to go towards projects located in Areas of Persistent Poverty or HistoricallyDisadvantaged Communities.
The minimum RAISE grant award for urban areas is $5 million and $1 million for rural areas.
The Low or No Emission competitive program provides funding to state and local governmental authorities for the purchase or lease of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses as well as acquisition, construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities.
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Welcome PCFO Deputy Director |
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Join us in welcoming PCFO Deputy Director Cassandra Clevenger. Cassandra previously worked in community development and planning, where she successfully built capacity and strengthened fundraising efforts for community projects and coalitions working towards changing policies, systems, and environments to create healthier and more equitable communities.
She is a graduate of Kent State University, where she studied conservation and actively participated in activities to expand and conserve the university's urban forest canopy, including completing and leading Urban Tree Inventories and advocating for the preservation of historic trees.
Cassandra’s mission is to ensure that communities in Ohio have all of the tools necessary to take equitable strides to address climate change in their own backyards that will lead to significant shared impact at the state, federal, and global levels. She was born and raised in Warren, Ohio, and that is where she now resides with her husband and their three cats.
Some of her favorite things include painting, crafting, camping, and fishing.
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Chambers for Innovation & Clean Energy 2021 Annual Report |
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Click here to view CICE's Annual Report.
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Webinar: Benchmarking Water & Wastewater Treatment Plants in Portfolio Manager
March 22, 3 p.m.
This webinar will show city staff how they can use EPA's free Portfolio Manager tool to benchmark water and wastewater systems, which can support efficiency and cost reduction efforts.
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WealthWorks Institute 2022: Clean Energy Focus
March 23-24, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Virtual Event
Join WealthWorks Institute for a free virtual event that examines how they can help Buckeye Hills Region catalyze growth in the local energy economy.
This two-day workshop, hosted by Rural Action, Buckeye Hills Regional Council, and ACEnet, will show how the WealthWorks strategic capital framework emphasizes the creation of value chains, and is a proven tool for growing economic opportunities in rural communities. Learn more and register here.
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Smart Cities Connect Conference & Expo.
April 4-7, 2022, Columbus, Ohio
PCFO staff, technical partners and city representatives will be speaking on a panel on Thursday, April 7 at 10 a.m. - A Local Movement: Building a Clean Energy Future in Ohio - to detail how local cities and counties in Ohio are leading the way! Please join us to engage in the discussion. To learn more and register, click here.
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Webinar: PCFO and Clean Fuels Ohio
April 14, 2 p.m.
Join PCFO and Clean Fuels Ohio on this webinar as they discuss electric vehicle charging infrastructure. They will talk about how your community can prepare for the federal EV infrastructure funding and provide an overview of the free EV charging analysis available to PCFO communities by Clean Fuels Ohio. More information to come.
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2022 Climate Change Seminar: Making the Business Case for Climate Action
Tuesday, April 26, 2022, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Dayton Realtors, 1515 S. Main St. Dayton, OH 45409
This in-person event is open to all and free to attend. Presentations will include OSU climate research center report from Dr. Aaron Wilson, legislative updates on climate and energy from Kevin Futryk and Julia Wynn of Government Advantage Group, and a panel on action areas for local government to include local climate and clean energy policy, fleets and making your community solar-ready. To learn more and register, click here.
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2022 Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit
June 16, 2022, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., Cintas Center, Xavier University
Each year, the Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit brings together hundreds of passionate business, nonprofit, government and community leaders to share inspiring forward-thinking and solution-oriented ideas that propel us toward a healthier, more resilient, sustainable and equitable future. Relevant topics like healthy & resilient communities, business & green, circular economy, government & policy, and more will be discussed. To learn more and register, click here.
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Interested in getting started? Join today! |
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PCFO is an expansive, diverse coalition engaging with cities and local governments across the state of Ohio to build a clean future for our communities. Power A Clean Future Ohio is empowering local leaders with tools and resources to create carbon reduction plans and implement them in ways that are achievable, measurable, equitable and economical.
Our coalition of expert organizations wants to share our technical expertise and resources with your community. If your community wants to work on plans to reduce emissions, attract business investment, implement equitable clean energy policy, and reduce costs – contact us today to set up a meeting!
If your business or organization would like to support PCFO, we invite you to join the campaign as a PCFO Partner. Contact us for more details.
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