Funding
One of the greatest challenges to climate action planning and implementation is funding availability. Carbon conscious provides members information on grants, rebates and low-interest loan programs designed specifically for local climate action plans, greenhouse gas inventories, public outreach programs and projects that reduce GHG emissions.
Carbon conscious grant writing and management services also save members time and money. Each major source of funding, including public agencies, nonprofit organizations and corporations, has its own detailed application process, program requirements and verification procedures. Members have access to experienced staff who can locate the most beneficial funding sources and can convey the necessity of your project to grant providers.
Click on one of the categories below to view current funding opportunities. Please note that some of these opportunities are specific to a state or region.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Sustainable Communities Planning Grant Program
Due Date: Proposed Application Due Date in Summer 2010 (Deadline TBA)
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are joining forces to release a $100 million Sustainable Communities Planning Grant Program in summer of 2010. The goal of the Program is to support multi-jurisdictional regional planning efforts that integrate housing, economic development, and transportation decision-making in a manner that empowers jurisdictions to consider the interdependent challenges of economic growth, social equity and environmental impact simultaneously.
There are three proposed funding categories for the Program:
- Regional Plan for Sustainable Development – Preparation of regional plans for sustainable development where none exists (e.g. urban design and visioning, outreach efforts, and data analysis).
- Detailed Execution Plans and Programs – Preparation and adoption of detailed plans and programs to implement an adopted integrated regional sustainable vision (e.g. Inter-jurisdictional affordable and fair housing strategies, regional transportation investment programs, corridor transit-oriented development plans, and economic development strategies).
- Implementation Incentives – Catalytic projects or programs for jurisdictions that have an adopted regional sustainable development plan and an implementation program in place (e.g. pre-development costs and capital costs for a regionally significant development, infrastructure investments that advance economic equity, and land acquisition investments).
Large metropolitan regions (>500,000 population) are eligible for up to $5 million in grant funds and small metropolitan regions (<500,000 population) are eligible for up to $3 million. There is a 25% set-aside for small metropolitan regions. For more information please contact climate@pmcworld.com.
California Strategic Growth Council Sustainable Communities Planning Grants
Due Date: August 31, 2010
The Sustainable Communities Grants, funded by California Proposition 84, will provide funding to cities, counties, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), councils of government (COGs), joint powers authorities, and nonprofits for climate action planning and urban greening activities. The California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) has finalized the guidelines for the three new grant programs available this spring and summer, including:
- Planning Grants and Incentives Program – $60 million
- Urban Greening Plans – $17.5 million
- Urban Greening Projects – $70 million
The grants will fund a range of plans and projects, including general plan elements, climate action plans, blueprint plans, zoning codes, urban greening plans, urban forestry projects, and urban park projects. Applications for the first cycle of urban greening plan and project grants were due in April 2010. Applications for the planning grant and incentive grants are due August 31, 2010. For more information, please contact the PMC Grants Team at 1-866-828-6PMC or climate@pmcworld.com.
Guidelines can be found on the California Strategic Growth Council website.
Transportation Planning Grant Program
Due date: varies
Transportation Planning Grant funds are available for planning projects that improve mobility and lead to the planning, programming, and implementation of transportation improvement projects. Application dates vary, but additional information is available on the Caltrans website.
EPA Climate Showcase Communities Program
Due Date: July 26, 2010
Ten million dollars are available for innovative, replicable sustainability projects and programs in the summer of 2010. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched a competitive grant program in 2009 to assist local and tribal governments in establishing and implementing climate change initiatives. The goal of the Climate Showcase Communities grant program is to create replicable models of sustainable community action that generate cost-effective and persistent greenhouse gas reductions while improving the environmental, economic, public health, or social conditions in a community. To see the 2009 awardees and to learn more about the program, please visit the EPA website at http://www.epa.gov/slclimat/local/showcase/.
Energy Conservation Assistance Account Program (ECAA)
The California Energy Commission (CEC) offers 1–3 percent interest loans to help local jurisdictions, public schools, public colleges and public hospitals invest in energy efficiency as part of the Energy Conservation Assistance Account (ECAA) Program. For more information, please visit the CEC ECAA website.
The California Solar Initiative
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) adopted the California Solar Initiative to provide more than $3 billion in incentives for solar energy projects on existing and new residential and nonresidential buildings. The program offers expected performance-based buydowns for solar electricity and solar thermal installations. For more information on applying for the buydown program, please visit the CPUC Go Solar website.
California’s Rebate Program for Wind & Fuel Cell Renewable Energy Electric-Generating Systems
The California Energy Commission offers cash rebates for small-scale wind and fuel cell renewable energy installations through their Emerging Renewables Program (ERP). For more information and to apply, please visit the Consumer Energy Center.
California Energy Commission Bright Schools Program
The Bright Schools Program helps California K–12 school districts and nonprofit schools reduce energy costs in their facilities. The program assists in conducting energy audits, reviewing existing proposals and designs, and developing equipment performance specifications. For more information and to apply for assistance, please visit the Bright Schools Program website.
California Energy Commission Energy Partnership Program
The Energy Partnership Program assists California cities, counties, special districts, and public or nonprofit hospitals, public care facilities, and colleges/universities to reduce energy costs in their facilities. The program assists in conducting energy audits, reviewing existing proposals and designs, and developing equipment performance specifications. For more information and to apply, please visit the Energy Partnership Program website.
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