Stay Informed
$4.6 Billion in Grants Unveiled to Reduce Climate Pollution
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new grant competition will fund state, local, and Tribal programs and policies that support environmental justice, advance clean-energy solutions, and tackle climate pollution. By funding measures that bring economic and health benefits to low-income and disadvantaged communities, the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants competition will also advance President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative. Visit EPA’s website to get more details.
Federal Facilities Adapting Operational Strategies In Response To Changing Work Models
Improving energy efficiency and creating environments that staff feel more comfortable in are two ways government entities are updating the operational strategies of their facilities. In an interview with FacilitiesNet, two commercial real estate experts discuss some of the changes they’ve observed and how facility managers are dealing with them.
Projects to Improve Energy Efficiency and Sustainability at Federal Buildings Funded Through Grant Program
Nineteen federal projects will receive over $28 million in funding under the Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies (AFFECT) grant program. These projects are projected to save $22.7 million in annual energy costs. The AFFECT grant program plays a key role in achieving net-zero emissions from federal buildings by 2045. Visit the Department of Energy’s website to learn how this impacts the Biden Administration’s Federal Sustainability Plan.
New Tax Credits Will Strengthen Tribal Clean Energy Programs
Rules proposed by the IRS will allow federally recognized American Indian tribes to access the new clean energy tax credits enacted by the Inflation Reduction Act. Tribes will be able to secure financing and reduce costs for the deployment of renewable energy and other clean energy projects on their lands. Read the article from Bloomberg Law to get more details.
DOE Launches Energy Future Grants Program to Benefit Disadvantaged Communities
$27 million in funding is available through Energy Future Grants to encourage partnerships between local, tribal, and state governments that result in ideas that will benefit disadvantaged communities. These funds should be used to help low–income and disadvantaged communities achieve greater energy efficiency. Visit the Department of Energy’s website to read the full press release and find additional resources.
Federal Initiatives Resulted in Massive Job Growth in the Energy Industry
According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2023 U.S. Energy and Employment Report, nearly 300,000 new energy jobs were created in 2022, partly due to the Biden administration’s Investing in America agenda. Steady job growth is expected to continue as the nation builds more resilient and efficient energy systems, which could result in projects that lower consumer utility bills. Read the full article from Forbes to learn more.
Efficiency is the Key to Solving California’s Energy Challenges
A report from the California Council on Science & Technology states investing in energy-efficient technologies “will pay dividends in the form of energy cost savings over the long run.” To accomplish energy initiatives effectively, state, local, and regional agencies must work together and prioritize environmental justice and equity. Keep reading to learn what other insights are included the report.
Biden Administration’s Investing in America Agenda Will Help California
Since 2022, the Department of Energy (DOE) has provided more than $250 million to California state and local governments as part of the Biden administration’s Investing in America Agenda. Some of these funds have gone towards advancing equity through the Justice40 Initiative, including projects that improve energy efficiency and resiliency. Visit DOE’s website to learn about recent developments in the state.
Successful State Energy Program Attracts Investments and Creates Jobs
The California Energy Commission’s Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) initial $1.1 billion investment has resulted in a tenfold return on investment. EPIC funding awardees have earned more than $10.5 billion in additional funding from investors to advance technologies that address environmental sustainability, reliability and affordability of the electric system. Visit the Energy Commission’s website to learn about EPIC’s success.
Proposed California Electricity Rate Redesign Centers Equity
Legislation passed in 2022 requires the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to develop income-graduated fixed charges (IGFCs) for residential electricity bills by 2025. Rebalancing rates through IGFCs will alleviate some of the burden customers in households navigating low incomes bear related to funding utility operations. Coupled with reduced volumetric rates, these changes will more fairly fund the state’s energy and climate policies. Keep reading to better understand CPUC’s proposed rate reform.
Additional Resources
Stay Informed
Additional Resources
$4.6 Billion in Grants Unveiled to Reduce Climate Pollution
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new grant competition will fund state, local, and Tribal programs and policies that support environmental justice, advance clean-energy solutions, and tackle climate pollution. By funding measures that bring economic and health benefits to low-income and disadvantaged communities, the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants competition will also advance President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative. Visit EPA’s website to get more details.
Federal Facilities Adapting Operational Strategies In Response To Changing Work Models
Improving energy efficiency and creating environments that staff feel more comfortable in are two ways government entities are updating the operational strategies of their facilities. In an interview with FacilitiesNet, two commercial real estate experts discuss some of the changes they’ve observed and how facility managers are dealing with them.
Projects to Improve Energy Efficiency and Sustainability at Federal Buildings Funded Through Grant Program
Nineteen federal projects will receive over $28 million in funding under the Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies (AFFECT) grant program. These projects are projected to save $22.7 million in annual energy costs. The AFFECT grant program plays a key role in achieving net-zero emissions from federal buildings by 2045. Visit the Department of Energy’s website to learn how this impacts the Biden Administration’s Federal Sustainability Plan.
New Tax Credits Will Strengthen Tribal Clean Energy Programs
Rules proposed by the IRS will allow federally recognized American Indian tribes to access the new clean energy tax credits enacted by the Inflation Reduction Act. Tribes will be able to secure financing and reduce costs for the deployment of renewable energy and other clean energy projects on their lands. Read the article from Bloomberg Law to get more details.
DOE Launches Energy Future Grants Program to Benefit Disadvantaged Communities
$27 million in funding is available through Energy Future Grants to encourage partnerships between local, tribal, and state governments that result in ideas that will benefit disadvantaged communities. These funds should be used to help low–income and disadvantaged communities achieve greater energy efficiency. Visit the Department of Energy’s website to read the full press release and find additional resources.
Federal Initiatives Resulted in Massive Job Growth in the Energy Industry
According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2023 U.S. Energy and Employment Report, nearly 300,000 new energy jobs were created in 2022, partly due to the Biden administration’s Investing in America agenda. Steady job growth is expected to continue as the nation builds more resilient and efficient energy systems, which could result in projects that lower consumer utility bills. Read the full article from Forbes to learn more.
Efficiency is the Key to Solving California’s Energy Challenges
A report from the California Council on Science & Technology states investing in energy-efficient technologies “will pay dividends in the form of energy cost savings over the long run.” To accomplish energy initiatives effectively, state, local, and regional agencies must work together and prioritize environmental justice and equity. Keep reading to learn what other insights are included the report.
Biden Administration’s Investing in America Agenda Will Help California
Since 2022, the Department of Energy (DOE) has provided more than $250 million to California state and local governments as part of the Biden administration’s Investing in America Agenda. Some of these funds have gone towards advancing equity through the Justice40 Initiative, including projects that improve energy efficiency and resiliency. Visit DOE’s website to learn about recent developments in the state.
Successful State Energy Program Attracts Investments and Creates Jobs
The California Energy Commission’s Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) initial $1.1 billion investment has resulted in a tenfold return on investment. EPIC funding awardees have earned more than $10.5 billion in additional funding from investors to advance technologies that address environmental sustainability, reliability and affordability of the electric system. Visit the Energy Commission’s website to learn about EPIC’s success.
Proposed California Electricity Rate Redesign Centers Equity
Legislation passed in 2022 requires the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to develop income-graduated fixed charges (IGFCs) for residential electricity bills by 2025. Rebalancing rates through IGFCs will alleviate some of the burden customers in households navigating low incomes bear related to funding utility operations. Coupled with reduced volumetric rates, these changes will more fairly fund the state’s energy and climate policies. Keep reading to better understand CPUC’s proposed rate reform.
