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On September 10, 2024, the Local Infrastructure Hub hosted a webinar on the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF). The GGRF is a $27 billion investment to address the climate crisis, ensure our country’s economic competitiveness, and promote energy independence while delivering lower energy costs and economic revitalization to communities that have historically been left behind.
During the session Zealan Hoover, Senior Advisor to the EPA Administrator; John Lucey, Senior Advisor to the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs for Implementation; Mayor Jacob Frey of Minneapolis, MN; Mayor Malik D. Evans of Rochester, NY, and Lotte Schlegel, Principal Consultant, Schlegel Collaborative discussed how cities can prepare, prioritize and determine which projects from their Climate Action Plans are a good fit for GGRF funding.
Key insights from the discussion included:
Take advantage of the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) funding opportunities to advance your city’s clean energy goals.
Zealon Hoover and John Lucey discussed ways to blend and braid IRA financing opportunities together. The IRA represents the largest climate investment in history, offering a mix of grants, tax credits and financing tools to promote clean energy. Notably, Direct Pay allows local governments to access tax credits traditionally used by the private sector. By combining Direct Pay and GGRF funding, cities can implement long-term clean energy projects and accelerate progress on local climate initiatives.
Leverage the GGRF to align climate goals with community needs.
Lotte Schlegel emphasized that the GGRF can support mayoral priorities such as affordable housing, economic development and climate initiatives. Cities can use programs like Solar for All and the National Clean Investment Fund to finance rooftop solar, energy efficiency and more. By collaborating with community lenders, affordable housing developers and local organizations, cities can ensure that these funds benefit both government and privately-owned projects to drive sustainable development.
Investing in sustainability is investing in a green workforce.
Mayor Evans shared how Rochester repurposed a former city landfill as a solar field, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and saving $1.5 million in electricity costs. With plans to expand the site for community solar, Mayor Evans emphasized the opportunity GGRF presents to finance these projects while creating local jobs in the clean energy workforce.
Prioritize equity when pursuing climate goals.
Minneapolis has been drastically impacted by climate change, and Mayor Frey wants to ensure that the city is taking into account the social cost of carbon. One way to do that has been through Minneapolis’ Climate Legacy Initiative. Funded by a utility franchise fee, the initiative supports weatherization, renewable energy projects and electric vehicle infrastructure. Mayor Frey stressed that Minneapolis is allocating at least 60% of this funding to historically underserved communities through green zones to address both poverty and pollution, while also focusing on workforce inclusion to ensure all residents benefit from climate initiatives. The GGRF is giving Minneapolis an opportunity to bolster and expand its climate legacy initiative while prioritizing environmental justice.
Resources Shared During the Webinar and in Discussion
- Next Steps for Cities Interested in GGRF Financing
- Grant Application Bootcamp
- State & Local Clean Energy Implementation Messaging Guide
- Save on Clean Energy Calculator
- Tree Equity
- Mayors Challenge
- Minneapolis’ Climate Legacy Initiative
Local Infrastructure Hub Bootcamp Materials
The Local Infrastructure Hub is here to support cities in accessing Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding and communicating the success of BIL-funded projects through a mix of webinars, practical tools and templates. Our webinars and Grant Application Bootcamps can guide you through different application processes and actionable steps to submit a strong application.
Register for our Local Infrastructure Hub Bootcamps now to receive technical assistance for city staff on relevant tools and templates that can be applied to grant applications; learn how to build community engagement plans and leverage community assets; understand how to effectively incorporate data into the grant application process; and construct a strong budget and grant narrative.