BIL/IRA Implementation Digest — June 10, 2024

by Joe Cullen

Jun 12, 2024 | BIL/IRA Implementation Digest

New BIL/IRA Implementation Project Announcements in PA

Cutting Consumer Costs, Creating Jobs and Improving Public Health   

 

SOLAR FOR ALL (See Full PA Green Bank Summary at Appendix A)

Pennsylvania gets $156 million to boost solar projects in low income, polluted communities – by Ad Crable – May 4, 2024 – Bay Journal – Henry McKay, a regional director for the nonprofit solar advocacy group Solar United Neighbors, which aided Pennsylvania with its application, said the federal aid “is a really big deal. It’s a new world now.”

IRA’s Solar for All Program Will Install Nearly 1 Million Systems in US by Dan Gearino – April 23, 2024 – Inside Climate News – Grants totaling $7 billion are based on an idea from Sen. Bernie Sanders that aims for cleaner air and lower utility bills.

EPA’s new $20B ​‘green bank’ will benefit disadvantaged communities most by Jeff St. John – April 4, 2024 – Canary Media – The program will fund billions of dollars’ worth of climate projects in these communities, and try to convince private investors to join in, too.

Solar is about to get a lot more affordable for low-income households – by Alison Takemura – April 24, 2024 – Canary Media. EPA’s $7 billion Solar for All program will help  states fund solar projects for lower-income residents. In many states, that will be a first.

PA House Consumer Protection, Technology & Utilities Committee holds a hearing on House Bill 2338 (Fiedler-D-Philadelphia) modernizing the authorities of the PA Energy Development Authority to better distribute federal funding under the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Act and Inflation Reduction Act to jump-start renewable energy production and support climate-resilience projects (sponsor summary).

New Proposed PA Legislation on House Bill 2338 before the  Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee Hearing – June 3, 2024 (Video) and Testimony by Geoffrey Bristow (PEDA) Robert S. Bair (PA Building Trades), Maryrose Myrtetus (Phila. Green Capital Corp) and Robert M. Routh, Esq. (NRDC PA).

 

Other BIL/IRA Implementation Announcements in PA

Butler County PA Assessment 1 2024 $850,000
Cameron County PA Assessment 1 2024 $1,500,000
Cresson Township PA Cleanup 1 2024 BIL $325,000
Easton, City of PA Cleanup 1 2024 BIL $500,000
Enterprise Develop. Center of Erie County PA Cleanup 1 2024 BIL $5,000,000
Erie County Industrial Development Authority PA Assessment 1 2024 $500,000
Lackawanna County PA Assessment 1 2024 $500,000
Lawrence County Econ. Devel. Corporation PA Assessment 1 2024 $500,000
Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry and Tourism PA Cleanup 1 2024 BIL $999,730
Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Devel. PA Cleanup 1 2024 BIL $2,000,000
Pittsburgh Urban Redevelopment Authority PA Cleanup 1 2024 BIL $2,000,000
SEDA-Council of Governments PA Assessment 1 2024 $1,500,000

 

 

BIL/IRA Implementation Announcements in PA Continued

 

New BIL/IRA Implementation Reports/Guides

CLIMATE CAPITAL GUIDEBOOK – MAY 2024 – the White House released a comprehensive guide to finance programs for climate-related projects – already producing results – To date, private companies have already announced $866 billion in investments in industries such as semiconductors, electric vehicles, batteries, clean energy manufacturing and infrastructure, and more. Manufacturing facilities are already being stood up across the United States, including for technologies like batteries, electric vehicles, nuclear energy, wind and solar power, hydrogen, and heat pumps. This is the most comprehensive guide released to date on BIL/IRA climate funding.

 

Infrastructure Week 2024 Toolkits (May 13-17, 2024) updated sources included:

 

Get Access to Clean Energy Funding – PA Clean Energy Funding is a resource guide to help Pennsylvania residents access support for home and community energy projects. This toolkit was built by Conservation Voters of PA. This website contains a list of funding sources and opportunities from BIL/IRA project  implementation and video testimonials from people that have successfully accessed these funds, one-pagers on major funds, and points of contact for grant writers and experts in subject matter on these topics.

 

Global Center for Climate Justice – The Federal Funding Primer on Climate Justice  created this funding Primer “because we believe that by explaining these programs, answering key concerns, and directing our communities to the best funding resources that exist we enable them to leverage these funding opportunities to advance their climate, environmental, and economic justice goals.” See POWER POINT PRESENTATION.  Full Report – Access Here.  

 

Upcoming BIL/IRA Conference

June 13, 2024 – City & State PA Building Infrastructure Summit – 8:30 AM-12:10 PM – Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing, 201 S Christopher Columbus Blvd, Phila. Over $14.8 billion has been allocated for public infrastructure and clean energy projects across PA, including a substantial portion for roads, bridges, public transit, ports, and airports. Meet  speakers from SEPTA, Phila. Office of Trans., Infrastructure & Sustainability, PA Turnpike, Phila. Office of Econ. Opportunity, Phila. Dept. of Aviation, PA Infrastructure Investment Authority, PA Department of Transportation, Office of Governor Shapiro and more!

 

 

Federal & State Agency Announcements on BIL/IRA Implementation

Governor Shapiro Unveils New Statewide Energy Initiative, Making Pennsylvania the First State Government to Commit to Getting 50 Percent of Its Electricity from Solar Power – April 22, 2024 – Press Release – The Shapiro Admin.’s Project to Utilize Light and Solar Energy (PA PULSE) initiative will provide 50% of state government’s electricity from ten new solar arrays in PA, providing affordable & reliable energy over the next 15 years. PA PULSE builds on Gov. Shapiro’s energy plan that will lower energy costs for consumers, create more than 14,500 jobs, and help Pennsylvania maintain its energy independence.

 

Applications Open for round two of the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Program with $1.3 billion available for EV charging and alternative-fueling infrastructure in communities and along major corridors. Applications are due August 28, 2024. Read the latest EV Hub Digest to learn more about this funding opportunity.

 

New York became the first state to launch a Home Energy Rebates Program. The first phase of the program will offer $39.6 million in consumer rebates through the state’s Empower+ Program to support energy efficiency and electrification upgrades in low-income households. HOMES & HERE Video – Webinar – https://youtu.be/g58qfd_7YN8

 

Three Low-Income Solar Announcements/Studies

  1. Solar Pathways in Federal Energy Assistance Programs: Expanding the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP).” This Report documents six successful pathways to make solar energy an eligible measure under LIHEAP and/or WAP funding. The report was produced by analyzing LIHEAP and WAP annual plans, surveying LIHEAP grant recipients and WAP Grantees about obstacles to solar implementation and conducting interviews and workshops with program administrators. Last year, WAP and LIHEAP issued guidance to explain how these benefits may be used to pay for community solar subscription fees, for instance. DOE and the National Labs have published new resources to help integrate solar into these services for low-income households, including a decision guide, implementation toolkit, case studies.  Webinar Recording: with Report authors on May 9, 2024 – Slides & Recording of the Webinar HERE.
  2. Stanford-led research shows how commercial rooftop solar power could bring affordable clean energy to low-income homes – Stanford Report – March 28th, 2024 – A new study finds that factory and warehouse rooftops offer a big untapped opportunity to help disadvantaged communities bridge the solar energy divide. For more info Contact – Mark Golden, Precourt Institute for Energy: golden@stanford.edu.
  3. DOE launched the Clean Energy Connector: Through a partnership between DOE and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Clean Energy Connector tool connects families to solar energy through LIHEAP. The first-of-its-kind software can now be used by local LIHEAP program administrators and community solar subscription managers in Illinois, Washington, D.C., and New Mexico to connect community solar subscriptions to as many as 40,000 low-income households. DOE is in search of additional states and/or territories who are interested in joining the pilot of the Connector this year. If you work for a state community solar program office or state LIHEAP office and are interested in learning more about how to engage, please reach out to solar@ee.doe.gov.

 

The IRS has released guidance for 2024 allocations to “Energy Communities” – During Round 1, the Treasury Department and IRS allocated approximately $4 billion of §48C credits, with approximately $1.5 billion in §48C credits allocated to projects located in  Energy Communities Census Tracts (coal mining or coal legacy communities). For Round 2, the Treasury Department and the IRS anticipate allocating approximately $6 billion of § 48C credits, with approximately $2.5 billion in § 48C credits to be allocated to projects located in Energy Communities Census Tracts (coal communities). These tax credits will drive billions of private investments into coal communities across the nation.

 

ENERGY COMMUNITIES IWG ENCOURAGES PRIVATE INVESTMENT TO SUPPORT REVITALIZATION OF AMERICA’S ENERGY COMMUNITIES – Energy Communities IWG hosted an event highlighting the financial and public benefits of investing in energy communities, particularly hard-hit, low-capacity coal communities in rural America – “we find that clean investments grew especially quickly in ‘Energy Communities,’ areas with a history of fossil fuel production, where clean industry potential exists but opportunity has been scarce.” See IWG Report Summary.

 

DOE announces technical assistance Open Voucher Call to connect the public with expert assistance from researchers at DOE’s National Labs. A select number of $100,000 technical assistance vouchers, which are redeemable at one of eight National Laboratories and must be used within a one-year period, will be awarded to innovators with ideas for advancing energy, sustainability, or other lab-supported initiatives. Anyone interested is encouraged to attend an informational webinar on July 18 at 2 p.m. ET. Applications for the call are due October 3, 2024.

 

School districts receive $900M from EPA to fund electric school buses by Jeff St. John – May 29, 2024 – Canary Media – Electric buses are better for the climate and kids’ health. Thanks to new federal funding, more will soon be on the way to the country’s schools.

 

FACT SHEET: Biden-⁠Harris Administration Launches Federal-State Initiative to Bolster America’s Power Grid – May 28, 2024  – The initiative aims to bring together 21 states (including PA), federal entities, and power sector stakeholders to help drive grid adaptation quickly and cost-effectively to meet the challenges and opportunities that the power sector faces in the twenty-first century.

 

More on Power Plants, Transmission Lines, Tax Credits & Manufacturing

 

NEW Non-Profit Organization Reports on BIL/IRA Implementation  

GROWING A RESTORATION WORKFORCE – Strategies to Repair Damaged Lands and Reconnect Appalachia’s Disconnected Workers – by Rike Rothenstein and Stephen Herzenberg – Reimagine Appalachia – This report described workforce development programs and funds that can help Appalachia’s disconnected workers to (re-)enter the job market and to set on a pathway towards a family-sustaining career. Report partners discussed in the workforce development report included: Trade Institute of Pittsburgh, APRI Pittsburgh & Coalfield Development Corporation.

 

2023 IN REVIEW – A Year of Federal Climate Investments – by Annabelle Rosser & Jaclyn Lea – May 2024 – Atlas Public Policy – Major funding highlights to look for in 2024 include:

  • The dissemination and implementation of the EPA’s $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction fund. Recipients were announced in April 2024.
  • A likely historic uptake of clean energy tax credits by entities without a tax burden thanks to the Direct Pay/Elective Pay mechanism established by the IRA.
  • EPA will award $4.3 billion in Climate Pollution Reduction Grants that will support State & local governments as they implement their Priority Climate Action Plans.
  • States will implement Home Energy Rebate programs, and distribute almost $9 billion nationwide to support energy-saving retrofits and building electrification.

See PA Dashboard  – Atlas Public Policy

 

Implementing Washington, DC’s Solar for All Program: An Example of Equitable Solar Outreach and Consumer Education – June 6, 2024 – by Matt Ohloff | Clean Energy States Alliance – Washington, DC’s Solar for All program aims to benefit over 100,000 households with incomes at or below 80% of area median income. This case study profiles the program and the ways its administrators have handled outreach and consumer education over the program’s seven-year history. The case study especially emphasizes the valuable role that trusted community-based organizations and community institutions can play in their communities. Download Report.

 

Three Reports from American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE)

    • In 2022, U.S. households spent on average 5.6% of their income on energy, with transportation fuel making up over half of this spending.
    • Low-income households spent on average 17.8% of their income on energy alone, almost four times the national average.
  • The Value of Prioritizing Equitable, Efficient Building Electrification – May 28, 2024 – American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE)

 

To Make Greener Buildings, Try Innovating around the Edges – Courtesy of Bruce Becker & Ted O’Callahan – April 18, 2024 – Yale Insights – Making buildings more energy-efficient is a key part of fighting the climate crisis and is often more economical in the long term. But the building industry is slow to change.

 

2024 Community Power Scorecard – The Institute for Local Self-Reliance released their, 2024 Scorecard which gives each U.S. state a letter grade based on their policies around energy democracy and utility accountability. (PA in top ½ on a curve but still received a D).

 

The Key Role of States in Unlocking Direct Pay for Clean Energy – States have a crucial role to play in maximizing the uptake of direct pay clean energy tax credits & growing clean energy jobs & the economy. – May 28, 2024 – Center for American Progress, by Reema Bzeih & Rachel Chang

 

 

Pennsylvania BIL/IRA Implementation News Clips

 

HYDROGEN HUB – Recent News Articles & Commentaries  

  • Green hydrogen: A climate change solution or fossil fuel bait and switch? by Susan Phillips – April 29, 2024 – WHYY News Climate Desk – To help solve the climate crisis, $750 million could flow to the Philadelphia region to create a hydrogen economy. But some say it’s a deceit to help the fossil fuel industry. Joseph Romm, a senior research fellow at the Univ. of Penn’s Center for Science, Sustainability & the Media, “Hydrogen is a pain in the ass to work with,” he said. It’s prone to leak and ruin metals, it’s also highly explosive.” Romm agrees that green hydrogen does make sense to clean up ammonia production & oil refining, and to decarbonize steel, all things that can’t be electrified. But he says hydrogen won’t outcompete electrification in any other sector & supports research & development.
  • Communities fear health, environmental harms as they await more info on hydrogen hub projects – by Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA | May 23, 2024 – Residents and other stakeholders say they want more information about the exact locations of hub facilities, and expected emissions and habitat disruptions. Environmental advocates want to know who will monitor these wells given that the carbon will be underground for centuries. “Once you get it into the injection well, the question is if it’s going to stay there,” said Rob Altenburg, senior director for energy and climate at PennFuture, a statewide environmental advocacy organization. “At some point, the people doing the storage no longer are responsible.” Alison Steele, executive director of the Environmental Health Project, said. “We don’t know enough about the technology to be able to say that it is safe,” Steele said. “But what we do know about some of the components that we’ve seen in use in the field, it’s a pretty safe assumption to say that communities around this infrastructure will be at increased health risk.” Katie Blume, legislative director for Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania, said some environmentalists question how DOE will enforce the initiative and what criteria it will use. “We need to demand the utmost transparency from these companies, and we need help from our elected officials,” she said.
  • The Road to a Decarbonized Future or Just Another Lifeline for Fossil Fuels? – With billions in tax credits at stake, Pennsylvania gas producer CNX wants in on the hydrogen revolution – by Audrey Carleton – Capital & Main – May 29, 2024

 

Gov. Shapiro’s PRESS, PACER & 10-Year Econ. Plan – News & Commentary

  • “Understanding PRESS: The Proposed New Reliable Energy Standard for PA” Webinar recording by SBN of Greater Phila. and E2 hosted with a panel of experts: Rob Altenburg, PennFuture, Jason Campbell, Blue Delta, Sharon Pillar, PA Solar Center & Dan Siegel, E2
  • Opinion: Why Gov. Josh Shapiro’s PRESS initiative is a boon for PA’s energy sector – By Devi Ramkissoon, Doug Edwards & Aaron Nichols – May 6, 2024 – Leaders from Exact Solar and the Sustain. Business Network of Greater Phila. examine how a new plan could empower PA’s energy future. According to the Environ. America Research & Policy Center, from 2013-2023, Pennsylvania ranked 49th in the nation for renewable energy growth as a whole, lagging behind only Alaska. Earlier this year, MAREC Action, Advanced Energy United and the American Clean Power Association released a new report indicating that if a 30%-renewable-by-2030 policy is introduced, 129,000 new jobs could be created and $13.1 billion of new investment could be made in PA over the next six years. PA’s clean energy economy is growing – and policies must follow suit. In 2023, the Commonwealth added nearly 4,000 new clean energy workers. Clean energy now accounts for over one-third of all energy jobs in PA, according to E2’s Clean Jobs PA Report.
  • New NRDC Analysis: Gov Shapiro’s Energy Plan is a Winner – June 5, 2024, Robert Routh, Policy Director, PA, Climate & Energy – Two foundational power sector policies, cap-and-invest plus ambitious clean electricity targets, provide significant benefits.
  • Improving economic development in PA continues to face hurdles by Harrison Cann, May 28, 2024 – City & State Pennsylvania – Everyone: Republicans, Democrats, the private sector – agree it’s crucial to the 10-Year Economic Plan’s short-term and long-term success. But there is precious little agreement on how to make it happen.
  • Special Report – The Future of Energy – City & State Pennsylvania (several articles).
  • Nuclear Energy’s Bottom Line – The US used to build nuclear-power plants affordably. To meet our climate goals, we’ll need to learn how to do it again by Rogé Karma – The Atlantic.

 

Federal News Clips on BIL/IRA Implementation 

  • New Rules to Overhaul Electric Grids Could Boost Wind and Solar Power – By Brad Plumer – May 13, 2024 – New York Times – The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved the biggest changes in more than a decade to the way U.S. power lines are planned and funded. The new FERC rule is the most significant attempt in years to upgrade and expand the country’s creaking electricity network.
  • How Abrupt U-Turns Are Defining U.S. Environmental Regulations By Coral Davenport
  • April 26, 2024 – New York Times – The polarization of politics means that rules are imposed, gutted and restored with each election. Experts say that’s bad for the economy.
  • Biden Administration Moves to Speed Up Permits for Clean Energy – By Coral Davenport – May 2, 2024 – New York Times – The White House wants federal agencies to keep climate change in mind as they decide whether to approve major projects.
  • 10 Big Biden Environmental Rules, and What They Mean – By Coral Davenport, May 9, 2024 – New York Times – The Biden administration has been racing this spring to finalize a slew of major environmental regulations, including rules to combat climate change, a first-ever ban on asbestos and new limits on toxic chemicals in tap water. Here’s what 10 new rules cover, and why the administration has been churning them out.
  • Saving President Biden’s infrastructure agenda from itself – By Lindsay Mark Lewis – May 25, 2024 – Executive Director, Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) since 2010. Reprinted from the Chicago Tribune.
  • The Right Kind of Tipping Point by David Gelles – May 30, 2024 – New York Times – Global carbon dioxide emissions might have already peaked, according to new estimates, signaling a potentially monumental shift. But we now appear to be living through the precise moment when the emissions that are responsible for climate change are starting to fall, according to new data by BloombergNEF, a research firm. This projection is in roughly in line with other estimates, including a recent report from Climate Analytics.
  • Solar hits above its weight in powering US energy transition – By Gavin Maguire – Reuters – May 24, 2024 – Solar’s overall share of U.S. power output may currently be small, but it is growing fast, with output expanding by 155% between 2018 and 2023, according to the U.S. Energy Info. Admin. (EIA). – That growth rate compares with a 56% expansion in wind power and a 22.4% swell in natural gas-fired output over the same period.

 

In Case You Missed It – Policy Ideas (and T-Shirts) from other states

There’s a secret for Mass. cities and towns to win big bucks from Washington: Invest in sustainability – by Sabrina Shankman – The Boston Globe – June 8, 2024 – But it’s mostly wealthy communities taking advantage of it

Political notes (RGGI): New chief at energy agency and a message in the mud – By Josh Kurtz – May 21, 2024 – Maryland Matters – For the second year in a row, a group of Maryland state legislators and friends competed in the annual Tough Mudder competition last weekend in Philadelphia, which may best be described as a series of difficult athletic challenges and obstacle courses, including a 5K race, through mud. This year, the Maryland team wore message T-shirts, in case any Pennsylvania legislators or other Keystone State policymakers were on hand. The shirt described the combatants as “Relentless, Gritty, Graceful, Intense.” Underneath that, the message read, “Join us in RGGI!”

 

Appendix A – EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund – PA Highlights & Overview – June 2024 

 

EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund – April 4, 2024 ($20 Billion)

EPA’s Next Steps for NCIF & CCIA

Award Finalization Process: April 2024 – June 2024

Future EPA Info at: https://www.epa.gov/greenhouse-gas-reduction-fund

 

EPA’s Solar for All Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund – April 22, 2024 ($7 Billion)

Note: Growth Opportunity Partners and the Industrial Heartland Solar Coalition received a $156 million EPA Solar for All grant on April 22, 2024. Partners in this grant award included over thirty-one (31) low- and moderate-income communities across eight Midwest and Rust Belt states including Allegheny County, PA.

 

Justice 40 Impacts

RMI Summary of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Programs

Under the $7 billion Solar for All Fund Competition, “EPA will award competitive grants to states, Tribes, municipalities, and eligible nonprofit entities to enable the deployment of residential rooftop solar, community solar and associated storage and upgrades in low-income and disadvantaged communities.”

 

RMI Summary of Solar for All GGRF Program

 

Preparation Work for GGRF (from RMI)

 

Interactive Map of Solar for All Recipients (from RMI)

https://www.datawrapper.de/_/2V8B3/ – Map: Alisa Petersen, RMI Source: U.S. EPA – Get the data Embed Download image Download PDF Download SVG

 

April 4, 2024 Announcement on EPA’s National Clean Investment Fund (NCIF) and Clean Communities Investment Accelerator Fund (CCIA)

EPA has made three selections under the $14B National Clean Investment Fund:

  • Climate United Fund ($6.97B): A coalition led by Calvert Impact, Community Preservation Corporation, Self-Help Ventures Fund with experience in mobilizing $30 billion in private and institutional capital focused on economic opportunity and environmental sustainability in low-income and disadvantaged communities;
  • Coalition for Green Capital ($5.00B): A new, national green bank that will partner with an existing network of state and local green banks across the country, which has collectively catalyzed $20 billion in investment into qualified projects; and
  • 1 Power Forward Communities ($2.00B): A housing decarbonization finance program led by community development lenders (LISC, Enterprise), electrification (Rewiring America) & affordable housing (United Way, Habitat for Humanity)

 

EPA’s five selections under the $6B Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA):

  • Opportunity Finance Network ($2.29B): A leading industry group with a 40-year record serving community development loan funds;
  • Inclusiv ($1.87B): A leading industry group with a 50-year record serving community development credit unions and cooperatives;
  • Native CDFI Network ($400M): A critical umbrella organization that supports and advocates for Native CDFls;
  • Justice Climate Fund ($940M): A new organization serving a broad cross-section of community lenders in hard-to-reach communities; and
  • Appalachian Community Capital ($500M): A community development finance organization with a decade-long track record in Appalachian communities that is establishing a “Green Bank for Rural America” initiative to expand capital access in coal, energy, underserved rural, and Tribal communities.

 

These eight awards of $20 billion in GGRF funding will create a national clean financing network to finance climate and clean energy projects— especially in low-income and disadvantaged communities. Commitments include:

 

EPA’s Next Steps: Award Finalization Process: April – June 2024

EPA processes the awards, including:

  • Finalizing terms and conditions;
  • Updating workplans and budgets; and
  • Obligate funds prior to the September 30, 2024 statutory deadline.

 

Related Notes on Regional Green Banks

Growth Opportunity Partners and the Industrial Heartland Solar Coalition received a $156 million EPA Solar for All grant on April 22, 2024. Partners in this grant award included over thirty-one (31) low- and moderate-income communities across eight Midwest and Rust Belt states including Allegheny County, PA.

Green Bank for Appalachia, Energy Communities, and Underserved Rural America – Appalachian Community Capital (ACC) was selected for a $500 million award from the EPA Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund CCIA to catalyze green energy investments in low-income rural communities impacted by declines in the fossil fuel industry.

The Appalachian Sustainable Finance Hub – Join now to become a member of this network, access technical resources, and shape the design of the Appalachian Sustainable Finance Hub. Contact: Sarah Ortner, sortner@milkeninstitute.org

 

 

PA Energy Development Authority – May 9th Board of Directors Meeting Highlights: 

Three Current PA Green Bank Programs (referred to as Energy Accelerator programs)

KEEP Home Energy Loan – Keystone Energy Efficiency Program

  • Timeline: Launched 4/8/24, open continuously while funds available;
  • Purpose:  affordable financing to PA homeowners for energy efficiency upgrades;
  • Amount of funding:   $1 million from PEDA + 10:1 leverage through National Energy Improvement Fund (NEIF) – Total $10 million;
  • Status:  Open – accepting applications;
  • Program priorities:  Statewide availability for home energy efficiency upgrades; and
  • Next steps: Market program; expand approved contractor list, identify potential additional capital – EE Contractor Trainings held June 4-12. 2024.

 

Municipal Opportunities for Retrofits and Energy Efficiency (MORE) Program

  • Timeline:  Opened 6/3/2024; closes 10/25/2024 or so long as funds are available;
  • Purpose:  affordable financing to local PA govts. for energy efficiency upgrades;

•       Amount of funding: $6.3 million from federal funds ($9 million leverage with NEIF);

  • Sources of funding: US DOE Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant;
  • Status:  Final stages of development;
  • Program priorities:  Funding for disadvantaged communities (that did not receive EECBG funding from DOE); and
  • Next steps:  Outreach, launch the program, expand approved contractor list.

 

Solar for All Grant Application Award – EPA Announcement April 22, 2024

  • Amount of funding: $156 million (awarded) from EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (IRA) – Will likely leverage 7-1 ratio (or more) in private financing;
  • Purpose: Residential solar installation, home repairs to enable solar (e.g. roofs, electrical upgrades), workforce development & community solar;
  • Status:  EPA agreement phase (negotiations) & program development;
  • Timeline:  Expected to open 2025 (likely earlier in Phila. area through the Philadelphia Green Capital Corp); and
  • Next steps: Finalize EPA agreement, program design, advisory committee, stakeholder engagement, financial & other partners

 

PEDA Policy Updates & New Green Bank Resources

June 3, 2014 Hearing on Proposed PA Legislation: House Bill 2338 before the  Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee Hearing (Video) and Testimony by Geoffrey Bristow (PEDA) Robert S. Bair (PA Building Trades), Maryrose Myrtetus (Phila. Green Capital Corp) & Robert M. Routh, Esq. (NRDC PA).

House Consumer Protection Committee held a hearing on House Bill 2338 (Fiedler-D-Phila.) modernizing the authorities of the PEDA to better distribute federal funding under the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Act and Inflation Reduction Act to jump-start renewable energy production & support climate-resilience projects (sponsor summary).

An Introduction to the GGGRF – April 15, 2024 – from Drexel’s Nowak Metro Finance Lab & Accelerator for America. Guide including: An Introduction to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and an analysis of Transformative Project Case Studies.

Joe Cullen