May 25, 2023
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.
Lima Moves to Install Ohio’s Largest Floating Solar Array with PCFO's Support
The City of Lima has taken the initial steps to create Ohio’s largest floating solar array! Lima City Council has authorized an agreement with a firm that specializes in the creation and installation of floating solar panels on bodies of water. Lima is seeking a floating solar array that will measure four acres in size on the water of the Twin Lakes Reservoir. Once completed, the project could save the city up to $1 million in energy costs per year! Floating solar is a proven technology that is designed to have zero environmental impact on the reservoir itself. Floating solar panels on bodies of water is an innovative way to reap the benefits of solar energy without taking up large amounts of space on land. While a timeline for completion of the Lima project has yet to be determined, city officials anticipate it will take at least 18 months to get the solar array installed and activated.

PCFO joined the project at a critical time and provided direct support to the City of Lima and project partners to ensure the funding was in place and the project proceeded. We are excited to continue working with the City to see this project to completion. 
New US EPA Funding: State of Ohio and Four Ohio Metropolitan Areas Pursuing Climate Planning Grants 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the first phase of the new $5 billion Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) Program which will award state and local governments funds to develop and implement climate action plans aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The program is divided into two phases. In the first phase, EPA will award $250 million in planning grants, distributed via formula. In the second phase, EPA will award $4.6 billion in implementation grants, distributed competitively.

The Ohio EPA submitted a Notice of Intent to Participate (NOIP) on behalf of the State of Ohio for the $3 million allocated to each state for the planning grant. All eligible Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) in Ohio have submitted an NOIP: Cleveland-Elyria, Columbus, and Cincinnati. Additionally, due to a few non-participating MSAs nationally, the Dayton-Kettering region also submitted an NOIP and qualified for the funding.
 
Each of these entities will create comprehensive climate action plans for their respective jurisdictions by creating GHG inventories, modeling climate actions, conducting cost-benefit analyses, and proposing policy pathways implemented by the state or MSA. 

Applications and work plans for lead organizations from MSAs are due by May 31, 2023. Grants are expected to be awarded later this year.
It’s Time for Ohioans to Make the Switch to Electric Vehicles!
More and more Ohioans are expressing an interest in purchasing electric vehicles (EV) when the time comes to replace their existing vehicle. However, rising overall vehicle costs, rising interest rates, mounting inflation and other economic pressures are causing many buyers to pause on major new purchases. PCFO has released two new videos to educate people about electric vehicle opportunities. These videos aim to inform Ohioans about the provisions within the Inflation Reduction Act that support the purchase of EVs and the deployment of charging infrastructure. You can watch the videos by clicking on the following links: electric vehicle purchasing and charging infrastructure deployment.
Choosing an EV could provide some relief from the mounting pressures of inflation, as you may be eligible for a tax rebate that could save you thousands of dollars. Most new American-made EVs now come with a $7,500 rebate, and many used EVs are eligible for a $4,000 rebate. There are additional savings at the pump since you won’t need fossil fuels to power your vehicle thereby saving you money and saving the environment. Additionally, there are other rebates available for installing an EV charger in your home, upgrading your electric panel to accommodate an EV charging cable at home, and more.

Check out the videos to discover how purchasing an EV can ultimately benefit you and your bottom line.
Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit Recap
PCFO was invited to host a workshop on navigating federal funding opportunities for clean energy projects at Green Umbrella's Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit on May 12, 2023.

The session included a "Grants 101" presentation with federal grant one-pagers, breakout sessions on project design and small group discussions on vetting and applying for grants. Presenters also offered attendees information about sustainability tax credits available through the Inflation Reduction Act. If you'd like more information on any of these topics, please reach out to Cassandra Clevenger, IGAP Coordinator, at cassandra@poweracleanfuture.org.
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 Cassandra Clevenger, IGAP Coordinator, at cassandra@poweracleanfuture.org with any questions.

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

Created under the Inflation Reduction Act, the Urban and Community Forestry Program provides funding for activities that increase equitable access to the urban tree canopy, broaden community engagement, and improve community and urban forest resilience.
Application deadline: June 1, 2023

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Competitive Program provides funds to entities that 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 Composting and Food Waste Reduction (CFWR) program aims to develop and test strategies for planning and implementing municipal compost plans and food waste reduction plans. Proposed projects can be located in all community types including rural, urban and suburban.
Application Deadline: June 15, 2023

Funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Ride and Drive Electric Program aims to address discrete challenges to a convenient, affordable, reliable, secure, and equitable EV charging network by enhancing institutional capacity, encouraging holistic approaches, fostering inclusive and equitable outcomes, and ensuring a world-class customer experience.
Concept papers due: June 16, 2023
Full applications due: July 28, 2023

Created under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program aims to improve roadway safety by significantly reducing or eliminating roadway fatalities and serious injuries through safety action plan development and refinement and implementation focused on all users.
Application Deadline: July 10, 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

Created under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, PROTECT Discretionary Grant Program aims to fund projects that address the climate crisis by improving the resilience of the surface transportation system, including highways, public transportation, ports, and intercity passenger rail. By funding projects that improve resilience to natural hazards and climate change impacts, thePROTECT Discretionary Grant Program aims to reduce damage and disruption to the transportation system, improve the safety of the traveling public, and improve equity by addressing the needs of disadvantaged communities that are often the most vulnerable to hazards.
Application deadline: August 18, 2023

Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is providing $400 million in grants to incentivize and accelerate the replacement of existing school buses with clean and zero-emissions school buses through the 2023 Clean School Bus (CSB) Grant Program.
Application Deadline: August 22, 2023
Upcoming Events
May 30, 2 p.m.

Join the U.S. Department of Energy for a webinar that will provide an overview of the ERA grant program, including information on eligibility, application process and funding requirements.
May 31, 6:30 p.m.

Solar United Neighbors will host its next Community Solar Town Hall on Wednesday, May 31st, at 6:30 pm. Participants will learn about the community solar movement in Ohio and join with other solar supporters to advocate for community solar policy. Register here.
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Webinar
June 2, 1-2 p.m. and June 5, 2:30-3:30

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will be hosting two webinars on updates to the Justice40 initiative at DOT and the recently launched Equitable Transportation Community (ETC) Explorer. The webinar dates and registration links are as follows:
  • Friday, June 2, 2023, 1-2 p.m. Please use this link to register
  • Monday, June 5, 2023, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Please use this link to register.
June 6, 1 p.m.

Join presenters for an overview of the two prize tracks, requirements and timelines, including a Q&A session.
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