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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Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program Webinar |
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The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program is an initiative that provides funding for states, local governments, and tribes to reduce energy use, lower fossil fuel emissions, and improve energy efficiency. With $440 million in formula and competitive funds available, eligible entities can use grant dollars to develop energy efficiency and conservation strategies, conduct energy audits, establish financial incentive programs, implement building codes, and install renewable energy technology.
Power a Clean Future Ohio (PCFO) hosted a webinar on March 6, 2023, for PCFO Communities to learn about EECBG funding opportunities. Those who were not able to attend the webinar live can access the full webinar recording online here or click on the image below:
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City of Columbus receives SolSmart gold designation for championing solar energy |
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The City of Columbus recently received the gold designation from the national SolSmart Program. The designation recognizes government entities for speed, ease of access, and affordability for local homes and businesses to adopt solar energy. Specifically, designees must demonstrate innovation in community engagement, government operations, and development of the local solar market.
In Columbus, city staff members have been trained on photovoltaics, solar panels are permissible in all zoning districts within the city, and the permitting process has been streamlined for faster service. All of these enhancements combine to save both time and money for anyone wishing to install a solar energy system within city limits.
“This important designation is another step in transitioning our energy economy and will help spur meaningful progress in the community's collective action on climate change," said PCFO Executive Director Joe Flarida.
“Promoting equitable and efficient clean-energy strategies is critical to the continued success of the Columbus Climate Action Plan,” Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther said.
Columbus joins three other PCFO communities: Lancaster, Upper Arlington, Cuyahoga County, along with Colerain Township as the only Ohio municipalities earning this achievement. Please help spread the word: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn.
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One year later: PCFO to continue supporting communities in pursuit of federal clean energy funding |
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One year ago today, we launched the Infrastructure Grant Assistance Program (IGAP)! Since then, we’ve connected our 42 PCFO Communities with millions of dollars of federal funding, and we’re just getting started. If you are not a member of PCFO yet, join this month to start getting access to IGAP support!
After the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in 2023, local governments have an incredible opportunity to take advantage of historical federal funding. Reach out to PCFO if your community needs help identifying what's available and what best meets your communities needs and priorities.
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PCFO INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT SNAPSHOTS
Federal Funding: Find it here!
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Visit the PCFO IGAP Webinar page to review notes from the BIL Guidebook Introduction, Electric Vehicles, Public Transportation, and Clean Energy and Power webinars. These notes include information on the federal departments’ goals, funding opportunities, and available links to program pages.
If you are interested in applying or need PCFO’s support please contact Cassandra Clevenger, IGAP Coordinator, at cassandra@poweracleanfuture.org with any questions.
Created under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation funding opportunity centers around updating to more efficient building energy codes that save money for homes and businesses, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and encourage more resilient buildings.
Concept Papers Deadline: January 31, 2023; Full Application Deadline: March 27, 2023
The Department of Energy’s Decarbonization of Water Resource Recovery Facilities (D-WRRF) grant opportunity aims to reduce direct and indirect emissions and costs for WRRFs.
Concept Papers Deadline: January 27, 2023; Full Application Deadline: April 3, 2023
The EJCPS Cooperative Agreement Program provides financial assistance to community-based organizations working to address local environmental or public health issues. The program assists recipients in building collaborative partnerships with other stakeholders to develop solutions to environmental or public health issue(s) at the community level.
Application Deadline: April 10, 2023
The Environmental Justice Government-to-Government (EJG2G) program provides funding to support government activities that lead to measurable environmental or public health impacts in communities disproportionately burdened by environmental harms. EPA aims to fund projects that transform overburdened and underserved communities into healthy, thriving communities capable of addressing the environmental and public health challenges they have historically faced, as well as current and future challenges.
Application Deadline: April 10, 2023
The Low or No Emission Vehicle Grants program provides funding to state and local governments for the purchase or lease of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses as well as acquisition, construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities.
Application Deadline: April 13, 2023
The Department of Energy is now accepting applications for the Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund Capitalization Grant Program from states and territories. $250 million in formula funding is available through this program to provide grants that will enable states and territories to establish revolving loan funds to invest in energy audits and energy efficiency upgrades and retrofits of commercial and residential buildings. In addition, states can use up to one-quarter of the funding for grants and technical assistance to low-income homeowners and small businesses.
Application Deadline: April 21, 2023
Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, DOE received $500 million for grants for energy improvements at public school facilities from 2022-2026. This program aims to fund projects which address historic inequities in school facilities investments, reduce school energy expenditures, help schools lead the nation in solving the climate crisis, and create well-paying union jobs.
Concept Papers Deadline: January 26, 2023; Full Application Deadline: April 21, 2023
Created by the Inflation Reduction Act, the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program invests $5 billion to support states, municipalities, air pollution control agencies, and tribes to develop and implement strong, local greenhouse gas reduction strategies. This two-staged grant program provides funding of $250 million for non-competitive planning grants and $4.6 billion for competitive implementation grants.
Application Deadline: April 28, 2023 (notice of intent to participate due)
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program is a formula-based funding opportunity for states, local governments, and tribes. EECBG can provide funding for projects and programs that cut carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency, and reduce energy use.
Application Deadline: April 28, 2023
Established under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program provides $700 million to support the deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and alternative fueling infrastructure. The CFI Program will accelerate an electrified and alternative fuel transportation system that is convenient, affordable, reliable, equitable, accessible, and safe.
Application Deadline: May 30, 2023
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Invenergy to build 1.1 million-square-foot solar panel production plant in Pataskala |
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Invenergy is a privately-held, American-led global developer, owner, and operator of sustainable energy solutions. Its new Illuminate USA production plant in Pataskala will be developed from an existing industrial building and will house some of the most advanced solar panel assembly technology in the world. This is especially relevant since a majority of the existing solar value chain currently exists outside of the U.S. Having such a large, state-of-the-art production facility in Ohio will help to address growing U.S. customer demand and reduce existing supply chain issues. It’s a significant step toward securing a domestic sustainable energy supply and reducing reliance on imported products.
To meet its workforce needs, Illuminate USA is partnering with JobsOhio and One Columbus to establish training and skills development programs and to support recruiting efforts.
In short, the new Pataskala solar panel production facility is expected to energize the local economy by creating good-paying jobs, while also expanding the domestic renewable energy landscape, and ultimately enabling widespread use of solar energy that benefits the environment as a whole.
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March 20–21
8 a.m. –5 p.m. ET
The objective of REMADE is to advance the national conversation on a circular approach and how sustainable manufacturing can support the nation in meeting its multiple energy, environmental, and economic goals.
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March 23
12 p.m. - 1 p.m. ET
Join ReImagine Appalachia Faith in Action, Energy Efficient West Virginia, PA Interfaith Power and Light, and the Evangelical Environmental Network to learn how congregations and non-profits can save money through energy efficiency. There are new resources for assistance and this is an opportunity to learn from faith groups working to make these changes in their houses of worship and their local communities.
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April 5 and 6
1:30-5:30 p.m.
With unprecedented calls to decarbonize energy supply, transportation, facilities, and supply chains, the opportunities and barriers are endless. Many organizations must transform their existing operating and business models to account for regulation, operational constraints, labor shortages, consumer expectations, and economics. However, to implement change decarbonizing solutions must be increasingly aligned with the pursuit of important outcomes such as resilience, security, and social equity.
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April 13
12 p.m. - 1 p.m. ET
Join ReImagine Appalachia Faith in Action on Thursday, April 13th at noon to learn about how non-profit entities including houses of worship can help grow solar in our communities. This will include a nuts-and-bolts overview of how to go solar and discussion on how to ensure that new solar jobs in our communities are good jobs. This panel will be moderated by Kathy Hrabovsky of Pennsylvania Interfaith Power and Light.
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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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