November 10, 2022
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.
Community Choice Aggregation Wins on the Ballot
Community Choice Aggregation was a big winner on election day. Several electricity aggregation initiatives on the ballots in Ohio passed. A total of 13 communities passed electricity aggregation initiatives on Tuesday. Power A Clean Future Ohio was proud to support Clayton, Trotwood and Marble Cliff in their efforts to pass this important ballot initiative providing these communities the opportunity to purchase 100% renewable energy on behalf of their residents..  

This summer, the City of Dayton's electricity aggregation program made news when it reported that residents save approximately $300 per year. At a time when electricity prices are increasing, aggregation provides local leaders and residents with a choice.

How does it work? Community Choice Aggregation gives residents who live in the same city or municipality the power to purchase electricity from an electricity supplier as a group instead of as an individual. It allows local leaders and residents a stronger voice and more choice in where they get electricity. Residents use their combined buying power to drive down the overall cost of electricity. Residents have the option to opt out as well.

Aggregation also allows communities who want to utilize clean energy an option to make that switch. In the case of Dayton, they were able to provide 100% clean energy and save residents money. If you are interested in learning more about aggregation and discussing options for your community, contact Mark Gavin, Sr. at mark@poweracleanfuture.org. 
Cuyahoga County Sustainability Spotlight Tour

The second PCFO Sustainability Spotlight Tour took place in Cuyahoga County last week! Thank you to our event partners, Cuyahoga County and the Cuyahoga Land Bank, along with all of the mayors, city council members, local staff, and additional partners who made this second tour a success! We visited the Brooklyn landfill solar project, the Harvard Avenue Maintenance Facility rooftop solar project, and the East Cleveland redevelopment project. We will share a video highlight the day soon!
The first PCFO Sustainability Spotlight Tour launched in Dayton on October 20th and you can view a video highlight reel of the day’s events at this link. We look forward to visiting more PCFO Communities next year to further highlight the strides Ohio is making on environmental justice, clean energy investments, and climate action. If you would like to collaborate with Power a Clean Future Ohio to host an event in your community, be sure to reach out and let us know.
Hear from Cleveland Heights Mayor and PCFO Clean Energy Champions Across Ohio

"If we're looking at being economically resilient in a community like ours, we need to take these steps now so that we're not penny wise and pound foolish in the future." Watch how Mayor Kahlil Seren and the City of Cleveland Heights, Ohio are partnering with PCFO to lead on climate action!
In July, we visited some communities throughout the state to check out some of the cutting-edge work happening in Ohio. Just in case you missed it, we have released the features for Cincinnati, Toledo, and Cleveland Heights. Keep an eye out for videos from Sandusky and Shaker Heights coming soon!
PCFO INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT SNAPSHOTS
Federal Funding: Find it here!
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 Sarah Spence, IGAP Coordinator, at sarah@ohcef.org with any questions.

(NEW!)The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) is requesting information on the cost and value of acquiring, accessing, and sharing solar photovoltaic (PV) system performance data. These responses will help inform SETO activities relevant to PV system performance and related data to accelerate research, development, and deployment of solar energy.
Application Deadline: November 18, 2022

The ATTIMD Program aims to deploy, install, and operate advanced transportation technologies to improve safety, mobility, efficiency, system performance, intermodal connectivity, and infrastructure return on investment.
Application Deadline: November 18, 2022

EPA’s Brownfields Program provides funds to empower states, tribal nations, communities, and nonprofit organizations to prevent, inventory, assess, clean up, and reuse brownfield sites.
Application Deadline: November 22, 2022

EPA’s Brownfields Program provides funds to empower states, tribal nations, communities, and nonprofit organizations to prevent, inventory, assess, clean up, and reuse brownfield sites.
Application Deadline: November 22, 2022

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides $1 billion to OCED for the five-year period 2022-2026 to improve in rural or remote areas of the United States the resilience, safety, reliability, and availability of energy and environmental protection from adverse impacts of energy generation. OCED intends to implement these activities as the Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) Program. The purpose of this RFI is to solicit feedback on topics such as rural and remote clean energy needs and opportunities, optimal clean energy outcomes, barriers, stakeholder engagement, community benefits, and financing mechanisms that will inform the structure, strategy, and execution of the ERA Program.
Application Deadline: November 28, 2022

The Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Grant Program aims to invest in a wide range of projects to improve railroad safety, efficiency, and reliability; mitigate congestion at both intercity passenger and freight rail chokepoints to support more efficient travel and goods movement; enhance multi-modal connections; and lead to new or substantially improved Intercity Passenger Rail Transportation corridors.
Application Deadline: December 01, 2022

EPA is soliciting feedback on the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, a new competitive funding program created by the Inflation Reduction Act. The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund provides competitive funding for financial and technical assistance to enable zero-emission technologies and projects that reduce or avoid greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollution, including in low-income and disadvantaged communities. EPA received $27 billion in FY2022 to implement the program. Responses may be used by the EPA to assist in program design and implementation.
Application Deadline: December 5, 2022

The Thriving Communities Program (TCP) is designed to provide technical assistance, planning, and capacity building support to advance a pipeline of transportation and community revitalization activities that increase mobility, reduce pollution from transportation sources, expand affordable transportation and housing options, improve health outcomes, facilitate efficient land use, preserve or expand jobs, and enhance connections to health care, education, and food security to benefit disadvantaged populations and communities.
Application Deadline: December 6, 2022

Are you looking to grow clean energy jobs in your community? The Advancing Equity Through Workforce Partnerships funding opportunity will provide grants to develop collaborative workforce programs that will facilitate the rapid deployment of solar energy technologies while supporting an inclusive workforce with opportunities for union membership.
Application Deadline: Mandatory Letter of Intent due 09/13/22; Concept Papers due 09/20/22; Full Applications due 12/06/22

Through the Inflation Reduction Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) received funds for two emissions reduction programs: the Low Emissions Electricity Program and Corporate Reporting Program.
Application Deadline: January 18, 2023

Through the Inflation Reduction Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) received over $300 million in funding for six programs to address air pollution: 1) Fenceline Monitoring, 2) Multipollutant Monitoring, 3) Air Quality Sensors, 4) Emissions from Wood Heaters, 5) Methane Monitoring, and 6) Clean Air Act Grants. In addition, EPA also received $50 million to address air pollution at schools.
Application Deadline: January 18, 2023

Through the Inflation Reduction Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) received $5 billion to assist states, air pollution control agencies, tribes and local governments to develop and implement strong, climate pollution reduction strategies.
Application Deadline: January 18, 2023

Through the Inflation Reduction Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) received $4 billion for two new programs to reduce emissions from the transportation sector: the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle Program and the Clean Ports Program.
Application Deadline: January 18, 2023
Fiscal Year 2022 Notices of Funding Opportunities for Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants

Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) supports states, local communities, tribes, and territories as they undertake hazard mitigation projects, reducing the risks they face from disasters and natural hazards. The BRIC program guiding principles are supporting communities through capability- and capacity-building; encouraging and enabling innovation; promoting partnerships; enabling large projects; maintaining flexibility; and providing consistency.

FEMA has released the 2022 Notice of Funding Opportunity and will receive applications until January 27, 2023. FEMA will distribute up to $2.295 billion for the BRIC program in FY2022. Communities, including local governments, cities, townships, counties, special district governments, and Tribal governments are considered sub applicants and must submit sub applications for financial assistance to their state/territory/Tribal Applicant agency.

Contact Information for Ohio: Steven Ferryman, Ohio Emergency Management Agency
Phone: 614-799-3539
saferryman@dps.ohio.gov

Events
2022 Ohio Energy Conference
Quest Conference Center, Nov 15-16, 2022 

The 2022 Ohio Energy Conference will take place on November 15 and 16th and will feature public and private leaders from Ohio’s energy sector, who will share what is on the horizon for energy procurement, policy, management, and more.

Register to attend virtually, here.
Interested in getting started? Join today!
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.
Follow us on social media!
Sign up for this newsletter here