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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PCFO welcomes 44th Community: The City of Oxford |
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The City of Oxford recently became the 44th local government to join Power a Clean Future Ohio (PCFO). The action aligns with the city’s commitment to improving sustainability and reducing emissions. PCFO will provide Oxford city leaders with technical assistance and act as a resource as the city works toward its stated greenhouse gas emission reduction goals. Specifically, the city’s Climate Action Steering Committee and Environmental Commission identified goals that include a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over the 2019 baseline by 2030, a 90% reduction over the 2019 baseline by 2040 and community-wide neutrality by 2045.
Joe Flarida, executive director of Power a Clean Future Ohio said, “Power a Clean Future Ohio supports communities like the City of Oxford with the tools and resources to implement practical policies specific to their needs as they seek to reduce carbon emissions. We welcome the City of Oxford in joining our efforts to identify approaches to clean energy that are achievable, measurable, equitable and economical.”
The City of Oxford is the 44th community to join Power a Clean Future Ohio. In fact, more than one-third of Ohio residents now live in a PCFO Community. It's clear that Ohioans understand the importance of investing in clean energy and taking action to reduce the impact of climate change. This growth is a positive sign that we are moving in the right direction.
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City of Delaware approves electric aggregation plan to incorporate more renewable energy sources while lowering overall costs to residents |
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As many Ohio cities are looking for ways to reduce reliance on fossil fuels while also seeking to combat rising energy costs, Delaware City Council recently approved a plan of operation and governance that paves the way for implementing a city-wide electric aggregation program. Together with its broker, Energy Alliances, Delaware is working to pool the city’s collective electric-buying power by way of an aggregation program that will allow city residents to purchase energy at reduced rates, while incorporating more renewable energy sources than those associated with traditional utility providers.
On his social media page, Delaware City Council Member Drew Farrell shared this exciting news: "Finally, we approved the energy aggregation plan for the city. AEP released their new rates that will go into effect in June and raise rates to 11 cents per KWH. The aggregation rate will use renewable energy (mostly wind) and cost residents 7 cents per KWH (roughly the current rate). While behind the scenes process will change, the billing, service calls, provision, and reliability of energy will still be handled by AEP and residents will not see any change on the service side."
Once the plan is certified by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, Delaware City residents will be given a 21-day window to opt out of the program should they choose to remain with the distribution utility or shop for their own supplier elsewhere.
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Ohio is at the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution |
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The New York Times recently profiled Ohio auto workers and auto industry officials in an article about how the shift to electric vehicles is changing the landscape for companies and their workers in an industry that has long been a pillar of Ohio’s economy. Ohio currently produces more internal combustion engines than any other state. As a result, when automakers with production facilities in Ohio - like General Motors, Jeep and Honda - begin converting operations from producing combustion engines to electric drives and batteries, Ohio is on the frontlines of the transition.
In fact, General Motors, a long-time major Ohio employer, has begun a massive $50-billion company-wide effort to update its factories with the aim of retooling many of them to produce electric vehicles and batteries. A prime example of how these drastic changes are affecting jobs and entire communities is happening in real time at G.M.’s Toledo transmission factory. As the facility is being converted to produce electric motors, workers there expressed excitement at the prospect of being a part of something new and innovative that also holds promise for reducing the environmental impact of gasoline-powered vehicles.
The article also highlighted companies and communities around the state that are innovating and adapting to meet the needs of the changing auto industry. Specifically, in northeast Ohio, the City of Warren is working to attract and retain skilled workers to support a growing local electric vehicle battery production industry. In Marysville, near Columbus, Honda has announced it will convert two of its existing assembly lines to build electric vehicles. And, in Maumee, which is near Toledo, Dana Incorporated has adapted its traditional product offerings to include new vehicle axles with built-in electric motors that save both weight and energy.
Ultimately, when something affects the auto industry, it also affects Ohio. The transition to electric vehicles is likely the largest change the industry has ever encountered, and Ohio’s ability to innovate and adapt is taking center stage as it plays a starring role in the reimagining of an entire industry.
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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.
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
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
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Competitive Program provides funds to entities who were not allocated funds through the EECBG Formula grant. Funds can be used for projects and programs that reduce fossil fuel emissions, reduce energy use, improve energy efficiency, and build a clean and equitable energy economy.
Concept papers due: June 5, 2023. Application is due: August 7, 2023
The Buildings Upgrade Prize (Buildings UP) is a capacity-building prize focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in existing buildings through energy efficiency and efficient electrification. In Phase 1, Buildings UP will award over $22 million in cash prizes and technical assistance.
Application Deadline: July 18, 2023
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SolSmart announces the addition of a new Platinum-level Designation |
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SolSmart - a national program to help cities, towns, counties and regional organizations become solar energy leaders - has announced a new Platinum-level Designation to recognize those participating organizations with exceptional solar energy achievements. Until recently, SolSmart offered participating local government organizations the opportunity to achieve Bronze-, Silver- and Gold-level designations by attaining specified criteria designed to encourage solar energy use. SolSmart can guide local government organizations through the process of meeting stated criteria to earn points that count toward the various levels of designation.
The Platinum designation is awarded to local governments who have shown exceptional leadership in renewable energy. This includes initiatives such as the implementation of instant online permitting, which streamlines the process of deploying solar energy infrastructure. Additionally, Platinum-designated governments have demonstrated a commitment to supporting equitable access to solar energy, ensuring that all members of their community can benefit from this clean, renewable energy source.
Learn more about the SolSmart paths to solar energy designations by visiting the website at: The Path to Designation | SolSmart. In addition to direct support from SolSmart, PCFO Communities are eligible for direct technical support from the PCFO Technical Assistance Team to adopt the necessary code updates and local policy changes to achieve a SolSmart designation.
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Tuesday, May 3, 6 pm - 8 p.m, EST
St. Martin Deporres High School, Cleveland, OH
Join the Cleveland Department of Public Health’s Division of Air Quality to celebrate Air Quality Awareness Week with a screening of “Unbreathable: The Fight for Clean Air” and a follow-up panel discussion with audience Q&A. Speakers include representatives from the Ohio Poor People’s Campaign, Cleveland Clinic Respiratory Institute, Ohio City, Inc., the Cleveland Mayor’s Office of Sustainability, and others. The event is free and open to the public. RSVP using the QR code below.
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Wednesday, May 10, 10-11 a.m.
The Ohio School Boards Association will be sponsoring an educational session designed to assist school districts with the second round of applications for funding through the USEPA Clean School Bus Program. The webinar will feature policy experts from Highland Electric Fleets and the School District Superintendent from Hardin County, IL, Andreas Edmondson, who will also join the webinar to share how he got started with his electrification project and what other districts can learn from his experience. Please paste this URL into your browser to register: https://www.ohioschoolboards.org/event/select/EF047B85-89F3-4661-832F-F71049FBFA06
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May 23 - 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and May 25 - 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
This summit will explore community benefits and labor standards and how they can help grow the vision partners have for the region. Community Benefit Agreements and Policies (CBAs and CBPs) are an important part of ensuring maximum benefits to communities from implementation of federal climate infrastructure funding.
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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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