March 3, 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.
Local Action Update:
Toledo Passes Innovative 1% for the Environment Funding Framework
On Tuesday, Toledo City Council passed the 2022 operating budget amendment providing dedicated funding for environmental protection, carbon reductions, and climate resilience in the form of a minimum 1% of the annual capital improvement budget.

These budget investments will be pivotal in protecting Toledo's environment and natural resources, while expanding the economic growth that will come as a result of the clean energy transition. These investments in our environment will also spur job growth, provide additional revenue to the city, and create new business investments to benefit Toledo workers and families.

Councilman Nick Komives said, "This is a way for us as a city to make clear our commitment to the environment and correcting the human impact that has occurred on our environment, because every single year, the costs continue to grow."

This amendment will make Toledo a national leader on this issue and create a model for other cities to follow. This investment demonstrates the city's commitment to this work.
PCFO Wants to Hear From You!
What does your city need to pursue a federal infrastructure grant?
PCFO wants to hear from you and has a soon-to-launch program to provide tangible support for your local government to apply and receive federal grant dollars. 
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (or Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) is a historic $1.2 trillion investment opportunity to improve infrastructure and advance sustainability in our communities. To support Ohio communities to leverage federal grant opportunities, we have launched the Infrastructure Grant Assistance Program (IGAP) to provide technical support to Ohio community leaders and staff. 
 
To inform the development of this program, we are asking Ohio communities to complete the survey below to help us better understand any previous challenges you’ve had with pursuing grants, your near-term priorities for infrastructure investment, and ways that PCFO can best help your community to secure federal grants. 
 
By completing this survey, you can directly inform the services that PCFO will provide to your local government in preparing grants to attract infrastructure funding. 
 
>>> PCFO communities that complete the survey by the deadline will receive priority for grant assistance and support. <<<
 
Please contact Sarah Spence, IGAP Coordinator, at sarah@ohcef.org with any questions. Thank you for your help in developing this new program that can help Ohio cities succeed in advancing their clean energy priorities with federal support.
PCFO INFRASTRUCTURE GRANTS DIGEST Federal Funding: Find it here!
GRANT SNAPSHOT: DOT’s RAISE Grant
Does your community have a pressing need to fund a local transportation project? 
 
Yes? If your project improves safety, creates jobs, and lowers greenhouse gas emissions, you may be a perfect candidate for the RAISE Grant.
 
The Department of Transportation has recently opened the Local and Regional Project Assistance Grants (RAISE) for FY2022 making $1.5 billion available for communities pursuing surface transportation projects. RAISE provides a minimum grant award of $5 million for urban areas and $1 million for rural areas, with a maximum award of $25 million for capital and planning projects. Applications are due on April 14, 2022. For more information on this grant, please visit here.
 
If you are interested in applying need PCFO’s support please contact Sarah Spence, IGAP Coordinator, at sarah@ohcef.org with any questions.
 
Max Award: $25 million

Matching grant requirements:
Yes, 20% matching. No matching required for projects in rural areas, Historically Disadvantaged Communities, or Areas of Persistent Poverty.

Application Deadline: 04/14/2022 at 5:00 PM ET

Description: 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 Historically Disadvantaged Communities. The minimum RAISE grant award for urban areas is $5 million and $1 million for rural areas.
Upcoming Events
Webinar: Find Leaks and Stop Water Waste in Their Tracks
March 16, 2 p.m.

Leaks may seem small, but they can quickly add up to big water waste, costs, and property damage. Learn about common leaks and water waste found in commercial and institutional facilities and how to stop them. This is a great webinar for city facility owners and maintenance staff. Register here.
The City of Green’s Living Green Task Force Hosts Joe Flarida, Executive Director of Power a Clean Future Ohio
March 17, 6 p.m., Central Park Community Hall

Executive director of Power A Clean Future Ohio (PCFO) Joe Flarida will be speaking on encouraging best practices in energy solutions. He will be sharing PCFO's story and what we are doing to engage with local communities across the state of Ohio to create carbon reduction plans and provide clean energy solutions for transportation, energy, waste reduction, and land use. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.
Tackling Domestic Climate Change Policy: Remarks from Sonia Aggarwal
March 18, 12-1:30 p.m., The City Club of Cleveland

Cleveland's own Sonia Aggarwal is serving on President Biden's team in the Office of Domestic Climate Policy as the Senior Advisor for Climate Policy and Innovation. PCFO is proud to be a community partner of this City Club of Cleveland event. For additional details and to purchase tickets, visit here.
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 benchmarking water and wastewater systems, which can support efficiency and cost reduction efforts.
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.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently released a report that stated, the cumulative scientific evidence is unequivocal: climate change is a threat to human well-being and planetary health.

The report called out six enabling conditions for success:
  1. Political commitment and follow-through
  2. Institutional framework that set goals and commitments and correct market failures
  3. Enhancing knowledge on risks, impacts and their consequences, including local and indigenous knowledge, and citizen science
  4. Access to financing and capacity building
  5. Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation
  6. Inclusive governance models

Read the full report 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.
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