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.

The City of Cincinnati Secures $8 Million in Grants for Climate Action

Cincinnati is positioned to receive over $8 million in grants to bolster climate change response and sustainability initiatives as part of the Green Cincinnati Plan, which strives to secure $25 million in grants over the next five years. Ollie Kroner, the Director of Environment and Sustainability, highlights a notable increase in available federal funding, with pending applications ranging from $60 million to $80 million. This surge has enabled the Office of Environment and Sustainability to nearly double its staff, growing from nine to 16 members. The grants have also facilitated the addition of three positions through FUSE, a nonprofit providing year-long executive fellowships focused on green workforce development, resilience to extreme weather events, and the city's efforts in transitioning to renewable energy and electrification to leverage federal funding. The Green Cincinnati Plan has set ambitious goals, including 100% carbon neutrality by 2050, and has a total of 130 policy goals for the city. To track the progress, you can visit the online dashboard.

 PCFO Welcomes Nat Ziegler to Team

PCFO is excited to announce that Nat Ziegler has joined the staff as a Program Manager. Nat brings a strong passion for local voices and local government in addressing the climate and energy challenges we face. Nat will help PCFO deepen our work with local governments across Ohio. Nat comes to PCFO from The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, where they supported legal casework and advocacy for low-income groups and businesses. With prior involvement in Clevelanders for Public Transit, Nat brings skills in facilitation, organizing, and case management to support Ohio's local government climate initiatives.

EV Buses Coming to Ohio School Districts

Six Ohio school districts are slated to benefit from the Clean School Bus Program, a component of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed into law by President Biden in 2021.

This initiative, funded with $5 billion over five years, aims to replace existing school buses with zero-emission and clean alternatives. The latest funding round under this program has approved applications from three Ohio school districts—Youngstown City for 15 buses, Euclid City for 10 buses, and Cincinnati Public Schools for 10 buses—to replace their current diesel-fueled buses with new electric models.

Tax-exempt and governmental entities can benefit from clean energy tax credits through new options enabled by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Eligible businesses and tax-exempt entities have the opportunity to access specific tax credits, even if they do not have taxable income. To take advantage of these credits, users must register through the online tool provided by the IRS. Learn more about direct payments through Elective Pay and stay updated for information about any upcoming opportunities at IRS.gov.

Upcoming Events

ReImagine Appalachia Strategy Summit

Tuesday, January 16 and Wednesday, January 17 | 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM ET

Celebrating Our Victories; Visioning What's Next to Build an Appalachia That's Good for Our Workers, Communities and Climate.

Join us to hear from experts from labor, economic development, environmental justice, racial and community justice on what it will take to compete successfully for federal resources and to strategize with us on the work we need to do TOGETHER to draw down those resources and start turning our collective vision for a 21st century sustainable Appalachia into a reality.

Each day will consist of a keynote panel of speakers followed by breakout strategy sessions. Register here.

Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy Networking Event

Thursday, January 18 | 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. EST

Join for a night of networking, fun, and arcade games with WRISE Ohio, IGS Energy, and Ecohouse, hosted at Level 1 Arcade in Worthington!

Level 1 Arcade is a women-owned bar and our snacks are being catered by woman-owned nonprofit, Freedom a la Cart. This event is sponsored by IGS Energy, Ecohouse, Sage IT, and WRISE Ohio.

Solar Myths & Solar Truths: An Online Discussion

Tuesday, January 30 | 12-1 p.m.

Utility-scale solar development has become increasingly controversial and adversarial in Ohio. In testimony before the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) opponents of utility-scale solar projects raise a variety of objections. Unfortunately, the internet is filled with misinformation that gains traction the more frequently it is repeated. False narratives are perpetuated by well-organized national interest groups. If accurate, these concerns would warrant closer examination in the approval process; however, many of the most serious assertions are not supported by evidence or experience.

We have chosen three categories of concerns that can be found in testimony, online postings, and opposition literature: The potential for fire at solar farms, the likelihood of leaching toxins, and the impact on land use and value. Our expert panelists will address each item based on research and professional experience. Register here.