Background
Record climate federal funding is making its way to communities across the United States to accelerate clean energy and transportation electrification, including from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Among other opportunities, the BIL is funding EV charging infrastructure via formula based and competitive grants—the latter of which municipal governments are eligible to apply for the latest round for $1.3 billion via the USDOT Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program (CFI) for which proposals are due by August 28, 2024—and the US DOE’s Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program for transmission and distribution grids for which there is an anticipated 3rd round of funding to be announced by the fall. The IRA also authorized the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) to deploy $2 billion via the Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants program (Community Change Grants) as well as develop and implement a $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) to create financing and private capital opportunities for projects that will reduce pollution and emissions in communities across the country.
A large portion of the GGRF is the National Clean Investment Fund (NCIF), which will deploy $14 billion, through selected financial institutions, to deliver accessible and affordable financing for projects nationwide that advance the nation’s climate objectives. At its core, the NCIF looks to provide low-cost financing to catalyze projects that provide climate and community benefits. Further goals are to adequately mobilize private capital into projects that improve the effectiveness of this funding, and target the Justice40 communities that are a priority of this administration. More information on the NCIF can be found here.
Together, the above federal funding programs—and others—presents an incredible opportunity for cities and counties to accelerate equitable climate action through clean energy and transportation electrification investments. Creating a prioritized project pipeline for GGRF’s NCIF is a critical pathway for local governments to achieve their climate goals, let alone to leverage and connect with other federal funding programs—as allowable—to leverage private sector finance, state funding, and other sources.
Purpose
The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI), the Milken Institute’s Community Infrastructure Center (CIC), Accelerator for America (A4A), and the Climate Mayors (Partners) recognize the importance of this historic federal funding and, collectively, aim to prepare cities to access this capital to the greatest extent possible by releasing this RFI. The RFI aims to solicit project ideas or formed projects from California cities that align with the NCIF vision as well as potentially leverage or connect with other federal funding opportunities as noted above. The ultimate goal is to direct deployment of GGRF and other federal capital—leveraged by the State of California, private capital, and other sources—into priority projects for California municipalities. NOTE: We recognize that cities or local governments may not be leading all projects submitted to this RFI, and as such encourage submission of projects that municipalities seek to advance to meet local priorities that are led by other entities (e.g., nonprofits, other local agencies, private companies, etc.).
The result will be a pipeline of projects in California that the Partners can prioritize for inclusion and matchmaking with the NCIF recipients and affiliated financial institutions, as well as seeing where there might be connective tissue for other federal funding opportunities (e.g., CFI, GRIP, Community Change Grants, etc). As the awarded institutions are currently finalizing contracting with the US EPA (with expectations that funding disbursements could commence as soon as late Summer or early Fall 2024), establishing a pipeline of municipal government priorities today can help ensure that cities’ climate priorities are met through NCIF and leveraging private capital while endeavoring to match make for other complementary federal and state funding opportunities.
By identifying priority GGRF NCIF-ready projects and connecting the dots with other federal funding proposals and consortia, the Partners aim to unlock additional capital for local climate investment, green job creation, environmental justice, and GHG reductions.
Partners
LACI
The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) has a mission to creating an inclusive green economy; LACI accomplishes this through unlocking innovation by working with startups to accelerate the commercialization of clean technologies, transforming markets through partnerships with policymakers, innovators, and market leaders in transportation, energy, and sustainable cities, and enhancing communities through workforce development, pilots, and other programs. Founded as an economic development initiative by the City of Los Angeles and Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP), LACI is recognized as one of the most innovative business incubators in the world by UBI Global. Since 2011, LACI has helped 375 portfolio companies raise $700 million in funding, generate $323 million in revenue, and create 2,565 jobs throughout the Los Angeles region, with a projected long-term economic impact of more than $573 million.
Accelerator for America
Accelerator for America (A4A) finds and develops solutions to economic insecurity and shares them with local, state and federal leaders to increase economic mobility, attract and leverage public and private investment, fund infrastructure, and deliver a more inclusive recovery. Our work is uniquely driven by our network of Mayors and other leaders from the public, private, philanthropic, labor, non-profit, and academic sectors.
Climate Mayors
Climate Mayors, founded in 2014, is a bipartisan, peer-to-peer network that has mobilized more than 750 U.S. mayors who demonstrate climate leadership through meaningful actions in their communities. Representing 48 states and nearly 60 million Americans, the Climate Mayors coalition reflects U.S. cities’ commitment to climate progress.
The Milken Institute
The Milken Institute’s Community Infrastructure Center (CIC) platform helps communities across the country access resources for building essential infrastructure and economic development projects. These projects range from basic water and energy facilities to climate-smart buildings, housing, new workforce, and entrepreneurial systems promoting long-term resilience and equitable growth. The CIC serves as a hub that connects communities with projects to trusted providers offering funding and expertise.
Eligible Projects
Focused primarily on GGRF NCIF ready projects (see below), we also seek to identify complementary or connected projects pursuing other federal programs (e.g., CFI, GRIP, Community Change, etc) as well as in need of private capital (and/or vice versa). Therefore we focus on GGRF NCIF below, but ask respondents to identify other funding programs that are being considered or pursued to identify partnering opportunities, match with private capital, etc.
The US EPA has a specific six-part definition of a ‘qualified project:’
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Reduce air pollutants
Deliver benefits to communities
Lack funding for viability
Mobilize private capital
Support only commercial technologies
For this RFI, the following project types meet these criteria:
Medium and heavy-duty truck charging to support electrification of goods movement for ports, warehouses, and last-mile distribution
Affordable housing upgrades for building decarbonization and energy efficiency
Building electrification projects (induction stove hookups, heat pumps, electric HVAC)
Distributed energy resources (DERs) such as solar or storage that support building electrification or vehicle charging infrastructure in disadvantaged communities
Other projects that align with the above criteria
Eligible Respondents
LACI, A4A, Climate Mayors, and The Milken Institute are seeking responses only from municipalities based on their own priorities of projects known in their development pipelines. Private companies seeking to develop projects are encouraged to connect with cities to include responses. However, project developers, capital allocators, and others are allowed to respond directly where partnerships with municipal governments are still being formed or being sought (i.e., match making opportunities with cities).
Process
LACI’s SM Apply Platform will be available for submissions until July 27th. At that time, responses will be reviewed by LACI, Accelerator for America, Milken Institute, and Climate Mayors. LACI will follow up for clarifying questions to project contacts where necessary. The Partners will then coordinate with GGRF NCIF recipient institutions to prioritize high-potential projects, along with potential match making with private sector investors or developers as well as other federal funding applications.
Contacts
If you have any questions regarding this RFI, please reach out to Alex Mitchell (alex@laci.org)
US EPA National Clean Investment Fund - California Municipality Project Prioritization RFI
Background
Record climate federal funding is making its way to communities across the United States to accelerate clean energy and transportation electrification, including from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Among other opportunities, the BIL is funding EV charging infrastructure via formula based and competitive grants—the latter of which municipal governments are eligible to apply for the latest round for $1.3 billion via the USDOT Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program (CFI) for which proposals are due by August 28, 2024—and the US DOE’s Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program for transmission and distribution grids for which there is an anticipated 3rd round of funding to be announced by the fall. The IRA also authorized the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) to deploy $2 billion via the Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants program (Community Change Grants) as well as develop and implement a $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) to create financing and private capital opportunities for projects that will reduce pollution and emissions in communities across the country.
A large portion of the GGRF is the National Clean Investment Fund (NCIF), which will deploy $14 billion, through selected financial institutions, to deliver accessible and affordable financing for projects nationwide that advance the nation’s climate objectives. At its core, the NCIF looks to provide low-cost financing to catalyze projects that provide climate and community benefits. Further goals are to adequately mobilize private capital into projects that improve the effectiveness of this funding, and target the Justice40 communities that are a priority of this administration. More information on the NCIF can be found here.
Together, the above federal funding programs—and others—presents an incredible opportunity for cities and counties to accelerate equitable climate action through clean energy and transportation electrification investments. Creating a prioritized project pipeline for GGRF’s NCIF is a critical pathway for local governments to achieve their climate goals, let alone to leverage and connect with other federal funding programs—as allowable—to leverage private sector finance, state funding, and other sources.
Purpose
The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI), the Milken Institute’s Community Infrastructure Center (CIC), Accelerator for America (A4A), and the Climate Mayors (Partners) recognize the importance of this historic federal funding and, collectively, aim to prepare cities to access this capital to the greatest extent possible by releasing this RFI. The RFI aims to solicit project ideas or formed projects from California cities that align with the NCIF vision as well as potentially leverage or connect with other federal funding opportunities as noted above. The ultimate goal is to direct deployment of GGRF and other federal capital—leveraged by the State of California, private capital, and other sources—into priority projects for California municipalities. NOTE: We recognize that cities or local governments may not be leading all projects submitted to this RFI, and as such encourage submission of projects that municipalities seek to advance to meet local priorities that are led by other entities (e.g., nonprofits, other local agencies, private companies, etc.).
The result will be a pipeline of projects in California that the Partners can prioritize for inclusion and matchmaking with the NCIF recipients and affiliated financial institutions, as well as seeing where there might be connective tissue for other federal funding opportunities (e.g., CFI, GRIP, Community Change Grants, etc). As the awarded institutions are currently finalizing contracting with the US EPA (with expectations that funding disbursements could commence as soon as late Summer or early Fall 2024), establishing a pipeline of municipal government priorities today can help ensure that cities’ climate priorities are met through NCIF and leveraging private capital while endeavoring to match make for other complementary federal and state funding opportunities.
By identifying priority GGRF NCIF-ready projects and connecting the dots with other federal funding proposals and consortia, the Partners aim to unlock additional capital for local climate investment, green job creation, environmental justice, and GHG reductions.
Partners
LACI
The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) has a mission to creating an inclusive green economy; LACI accomplishes this through unlocking innovation by working with startups to accelerate the commercialization of clean technologies, transforming markets through partnerships with policymakers, innovators, and market leaders in transportation, energy, and sustainable cities, and enhancing communities through workforce development, pilots, and other programs. Founded as an economic development initiative by the City of Los Angeles and Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP), LACI is recognized as one of the most innovative business incubators in the world by UBI Global. Since 2011, LACI has helped 375 portfolio companies raise $700 million in funding, generate $323 million in revenue, and create 2,565 jobs throughout the Los Angeles region, with a projected long-term economic impact of more than $573 million.
Accelerator for America
Accelerator for America (A4A) finds and develops solutions to economic insecurity and shares them with local, state and federal leaders to increase economic mobility, attract and leverage public and private investment, fund infrastructure, and deliver a more inclusive recovery. Our work is uniquely driven by our network of Mayors and other leaders from the public, private, philanthropic, labor, non-profit, and academic sectors.
Climate Mayors
Climate Mayors, founded in 2014, is a bipartisan, peer-to-peer network that has mobilized more than 750 U.S. mayors who demonstrate climate leadership through meaningful actions in their communities. Representing 48 states and nearly 60 million Americans, the Climate Mayors coalition reflects U.S. cities’ commitment to climate progress.
The Milken Institute
The Milken Institute’s Community Infrastructure Center (CIC) platform helps communities across the country access resources for building essential infrastructure and economic development projects. These projects range from basic water and energy facilities to climate-smart buildings, housing, new workforce, and entrepreneurial systems promoting long-term resilience and equitable growth. The CIC serves as a hub that connects communities with projects to trusted providers offering funding and expertise.
Eligible Projects
Focused primarily on GGRF NCIF ready projects (see below), we also seek to identify complementary or connected projects pursuing other federal programs (e.g., CFI, GRIP, Community Change, etc) as well as in need of private capital (and/or vice versa). Therefore we focus on GGRF NCIF below, but ask respondents to identify other funding programs that are being considered or pursued to identify partnering opportunities, match with private capital, etc.
The US EPA has a specific six-part definition of a ‘qualified project:’
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Reduce air pollutants
Deliver benefits to communities
Lack funding for viability
Mobilize private capital
Support only commercial technologies
For this RFI, the following project types meet these criteria:
Medium and heavy-duty truck charging to support electrification of goods movement for ports, warehouses, and last-mile distribution
Affordable housing upgrades for building decarbonization and energy efficiency
Building electrification projects (induction stove hookups, heat pumps, electric HVAC)
Distributed energy resources (DERs) such as solar or storage that support building electrification or vehicle charging infrastructure in disadvantaged communities
Other projects that align with the above criteria
Eligible Respondents
LACI, A4A, Climate Mayors, and The Milken Institute are seeking responses only from municipalities based on their own priorities of projects known in their development pipelines. Private companies seeking to develop projects are encouraged to connect with cities to include responses. However, project developers, capital allocators, and others are allowed to respond directly where partnerships with municipal governments are still being formed or being sought (i.e., match making opportunities with cities).
Process
LACI’s SM Apply Platform will be available for submissions until July 27th. At that time, responses will be reviewed by LACI, Accelerator for America, Milken Institute, and Climate Mayors. LACI will follow up for clarifying questions to project contacts where necessary. The Partners will then coordinate with GGRF NCIF recipient institutions to prioritize high-potential projects, along with potential match making with private sector investors or developers as well as other federal funding applications.
Contacts
If you have any questions regarding this RFI, please reach out to Alex Mitchell (alex@laci.org)