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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Local Action Update:
PCFO shares Clean Energy Pathways with MVRPC Communities
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On Tuesday, the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission held their 2022 Miami Valley Climate Change Seminar: Making the Business Case for Climate Action. Power a Clean Future Ohio was invited to present at the seminar providing an overview on the importance of sustainability planning and clean energy growth for Ohio’s local governments. PCFO’s Executive Director, Joe Flarida, provided introductory remarks and an overview of the resources that PCFO provides to local governments, including the newly launched Infrastructure Grant Assistance Program. The session included presentations from Brandon Jones with Clean Fuels Ohio focused on how to make your city EV ready and Jon-Paul d’Aversa with UNPREDICTABLEcity on how to make your city solar ready.
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PCFO’s GHG Inventory for Dayton underscores key priorities for city’s environmental goals |
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As detailed in the Dayton Daily News, Dayton is taking steps to reduce its carbon footprint and switch to clean energy, and officials say they hope the city will obtain federal funds for green infrastructure to help with its sustainability efforts. PCFO completed a greenhouse gas inventory for the city to help the local government determine their key areas of focus to have the biggest impact on emissions reductions in the near term.
The analysis found that city facilities and operations produce about 14% of Dayton’s emissions — and about half come from the wastewater treatment facility.
“We have a short list of capital improvements and upgrades, for things like HVAC systems, that will help us a great deal,” said Mark Charles, Dayton’s sustainability manager.
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PCFO INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT SNAPSHOTS
Federal Funding: Find it here!
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Four recent grants were just released that may be of interest to your communities. If you are interested in applying or need PCFO’s support please contact Sarah Spence, IGAP Coordinator, at sarah@ohcef.org with any questions.
The purpose of this RFI is to solicit feedback to inform the solicitation process and structure of a potential Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA). Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, DOE has $225 million to provide support to states that will enable sustained cost-effective implementation of updated building codes. This RFI seeks input on the following areas that will inform the FOA: 1) Energy Code Implementation Criteria and Requirements for Key Topic Areas; 2) Advanced Energy Codes and Building Resilience; 3) Methods to Support Sustained State Energy and Building Resilience Code Implementation; 4)Funding, Partnerships, Eligible Entities, and Evaluation Criteria; and 5) Energy and Environmental Justice (EEJ) Priorities.
RACER is a funding opportunity for projects that enable communities to utilize solar and solar-plus-storage to prevent disruptions in power caused by extreme weather and other events and to rapidly restore electricity if it goes down. Projects will foster engagement and ongoing communication among multiple stakeholders and will develop and demonstrate rapid energy restoration technologies based on the community resilience plan in order to increase the durability of photovoltaic (PV) systems.
Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) grants is a competitive program for projects that improve facilities within, or outside of and directly related to operations of or an intermodal connection to coastal seaports, inland river ports, and Great Lakes ports.
The Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) program is an existing competitive program that will see a more than 50% increase in this year’s funding due to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. These grants advance the Administration’s priorities of rebuilding America’s infrastructure and creating jobs by funding highway, multimodal freight and rail projects that position America to win the 21st century.
The National Infrastructure Project Assistance (MEGA) program was created to fund major projects that are too large or complex for traditional funding programs. The program will provide grants on a competitive basis to support multijurisdictional or regional projects of significance that may also cut across multiple modes of transportation.
The Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program (RURAL) was created in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will support projects to improve and expand the surface transportation infrastructure in rural areas to increase connectivity, improve the safety and reliability of the movement of people and freight, and generate regional economic growth and improve quality of life.
The Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program makes federal resources available to states and direct recipients to replace, rehabilitate and purchase buses and related equipment and to construct bus-related facilities including technological changes or innovations to modify low or no emission vehicles or facilities. The Low or No EmissionGrant Program is a sub-program.
The Low or No Emission competitive program provides funding to state and local governmental authorities for the purchase or lease of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses as well as acquisition, construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities.
Open Request for Information (RFI): Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool Beta Version. Comments due by April 25.
Provide feedback to help ensure the goals of the Justice40 Initiative are realized! The Council on Environmental Quality released a Request for Information (RFI) on the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool Beta Version. This Screening Tool utilizes key indicators and interactive maps to visualize disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution. Federal agencies will use the Screening Tool to identify communities with historic underinvestment in energy, transit, housing and water infrastructure, disproportionate pollution burden, and job training and employment. For more information on how to respond to this RFI, please visit here.
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OEC Hosts Climate Justice Panel, Mayor Seren Highlights PCFO's Work |
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On Earth Day, Cleveland Heights Mayor Seren gave a great shout-out to Power a Clean Future Ohio during the Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) “Climate Justice For All” panel. Representatives Shontel Brown and Kent Smith also participated in the discussion. Check out the video below to view the entire panel: |
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City of Worthington considering Ohio- based renewables for electricity-aggregation program |
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The city of Worthington is less than a year into the current term of its cost-saving electricity-aggregation program, that's designed to lower household electric bills and increase renewable energy usage. City officials have started to look ahead at the program's next term and are considering taking steps to draw renewable-sourced power from facilities closer to home.
During the city council meeting, one of the main ideas mentioned was to potentially adjust the program to tap into renewable energy infrastructure already in Ohio for its power. Another idea is to potentially work with contractors and vendors to help motivate the development of new renewable-energy infrastructure, such as a solar farm closer to Worthington to supply power for the city's program.
To read more about this article, click here.
To read more about the Worthington electricity- aggregation program, click here.
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How to save with city of Dayton energy program?
Do nothing
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The city of Dayton will restart an energy aggregation program that seeks to cut electric costs for residents, nonprofits, and small businesses.
“All residents are automatically opted in the program,” said Meg Maloney, a sustainability specialist with the City.
The Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council is the selected broker that will procure electricity for the city's customers. This will come from out-of-state hydropower, which is 100% renewable energy. AEP Energy is the supplier. If residents do not wish to participate and want their energy from a different supplier, they need to take action and provide notice because the aggregation program is opt-out.
“Now here we are: We are able to offer our residents the opportunity, with a 99.9% likelihood, to save quite a bit of money on their energy bills, and basically they have to do nothing,” said Dayton City Commissioner Matt Joseph.
To read more about this, click here.
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On Episode 6 of the E Source, they dive into why energy equity is a win-win for utilities, cities, and customers. Dr. Tony Reames, senior advisor of energy justice at the US Department of Energy (DOE) explains how energy equity can benefit utilities, cities, and customers. Lead analyst for Customer Energy Solutions at E Source, Ben Nathan, and E Source director of mobility, Bryan Jungers, discuss with Dr. Reames how to create a successful collaboration between utilities and the DOE.
To listen to their podcast, click here.
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Team Up to Green Up Colerain
PCFO partner Colerain Chamber of Commerce is working with the Colerain Township as they build awareness of their “green-kind” place in their community.
The Team Up to Green up program supports the Colerain Township’s Clean, Green, and Prosperous and Safe directive mission. The organization’s three objectives are:
Community litter challenges
Commercial recycling initiatives
Support the existing street tree program already in place
To read more and find out how you can help, click here.
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Cincinnati EV Showcase and Ride & Drive
Saturday, April 30, 2022 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., EDT, Northside public parking (adjacent to Northside Transit Center) 4030 Hamilton Ave Cincinnati, OH 45223
Drive Electric Cincinnati invites you to an electric vehicle showcase and ride & drive at 4030 Hamilton Avenue, adjacent to the Northside Transit Center. Not yet an Electric Vehicle (EV) owner? This event is for you! Check out the wide range of EVs available, including Tesla Model Y, Mustang Mach-E, VW ID.4, Chevy Bolt, and more. Share your EV experience and compare notes with other EV owners. If you are willing to give EV rides in your personal EV, please note that in the comments when you register via the "Participate" button.
To learn more and register, click here.
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AOAI Ride and Drive
Wednesday, May 25 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., at the Ohio Statehouse
Join AOAI at the Ohio Statehouse for a ride and drive event in support of SB 307, Accelerating Ohio’s Auto Industry. To learn more and register, click here.
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2022 Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit
June 16, 2022, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., Cintas Center, Xavier University
Each year, the Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit brings together hundreds of passionate business, nonprofit, government and community leaders to share inspiring forward-thinking and solution-oriented ideas that propel us toward a healthier, more resilient, sustainable and equitable future. Relevant topics like healthy & resilient communities, business & green, circular economy, government & policy, and more will be discussed. To learn more and register, click here.
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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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