IRA: Putting Direct Pay into Action
2023-12-12 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Cities can use IRA Direct Pay to finance a variety of projects that improve residents’ air quality and reduce greenhouse gasses, among other benefits. These include: greening buses, ambulances, and other public vehicles; investing in community solar projects or transitioning municipal buildings to solar power; transitioning municipal utilities to renewable energy sources; or creating electric vehicle charging infrastructure. This webinar will explore the types of projects that IRA Direct Pay can help finance and bring to fruition faster.

Gearing up for Climate Pollution Reduction Grants
2023-12-14 14:00 - 15:00
The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program provides $5 billion in grants to develop and implement ambitious plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution.
Forty-six states and over seventy-five metropolitan areas have received CPRG planning grants and will soon be submitting their Priority Climate Action Plans in the lead up to implementation. This webinar will discuss how cities can partner with grantees as they develop these plans.

Faster, Safer, Smarter, Fairer: Evaluating key tech for transportation projects
2023-12-20 14:00 - 15:00
With more than $60m in annual funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Federal Highway Administration’s Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN) program is taking on the challenge of delivering safer and more efficient transportation to areas of persistent poverty—not only on highways but transit systems, too.
This session will explore how cities can take advantage of ATTAIN funding for congestion pricing systems, mobility-on-demand solutions, and transportation service payment systems integrations to advance their shared mobility goals. We’ll take a deep dive into California Department of Transportation’s FY2022 ATTAIN award, which will expand the Southern California Mobility Wallet project, which offers seamless payment for highway and transit services for Los Angeles County residents.
Questions to be answered include:

How does “open-loop” payments technology work, and what are the benefits?
How can cities work with state DOTs to partner and develop competitive proposals for ATTAIN?
How can cities navigate the FHWA application and review process, and how is it different from more familiar agency processes such as the FTA?

Speakers Include:

Gillian Gillett, Chief, Data and Digital Services Division and Program Manager, California Integrated Mobility, California Department of Transportation
Hunter Owens, Research Data Manager, Data and Digital Services, California Department of Transportation
Benjamin De La Peña, CEO, Shared-Use Mobility Center

Planning Safe Streets for All
2024-01-30 14:00 - 15:00
This webinar will feature mayors from cities that won Safe Streets for All demonstration grants to encourage additional cities to apply for demonstration grants in the upcoming funding announcement. City leaders will discuss their plans preventing roadway fatalities and reducing the rate of serious injuries for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.

From Pilot to Scale: The role of technology pilots in federal infrastructure funding
2024-01-31 14:00 - 15:00
Over the last decade, cities and agencies across the country have set up innovation teams, which play a core role in helping local governments pilot new technology.
This session will provide a “how to” guide for standing up an innovation team, including the strategic and legal infrastructure for running technology pilots related to the built environment in your city. It will then cover how to use data derived from technology pilots to improve your application for federal funding, and how Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds can help scale projects from “pilot” to “proven.”
We will hear lessons learned from the City of Long Beach and the Port Authority, who have spent the last five years growing their innovation capabilities. Each will get into the details of how they built an innovation culture–what has worked, and what has not—and how they are trying to use pilots to pursue Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding opportunities.

Making Electric Vehicle Charging and Alternative Fueling the New Infrastructure Standard (CFI)
2024-02-13 14:00 - 15:00
BIL made large investments in charging and fueling infrastructure to accelerate the shift towards electric vehicles and alternative fueling. This webinar will feature FY22/23 grant winners and discuss successful strategies for obtaining CFI grants in advance of the anticipated second round of CFI funding.
Featured speakers will include Gabriel Klein, Executive Director of the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation; Matt Stephens-Rich, Director of Technical Services, Electrification Coalition; and Mayor Andy Schor of Lansing, MI.

Lessons Learned from Recycling Grant Recipients
2024-02-27 14:00 - 15:00
Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grants are a new program created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to improve community infrastructure for recycling and other post-consumer materials management, implement circular economy strategies, and improve local waste management systems, particularly in disadvantaged communities.
In the fall of 2023, the EPA announced the first round of grant winners; this webinar will feature grant winners to discuss their projects and process for creating a successful application.

No-Emission Buses: How American Cities Are Driving Innovations in Vehicle Technology, Charging Infrastructure, and Technician Training
2024-02-28 14:00 - 15:00
U.S. DOT recently announced more than 130 awards totaling some $1.7 billion for low- and no-emission buses and bus facilities. Vehicle technology is driving these investments—more than 1,800 zero-emission buses have been funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. But cities are also using federal infrastructure funding to deploy new charging technologies in depots and along routes, and improve the resilience of transit systems’ electric power supplies.
In this session, cities will learn about future funding opportunities through the FTA’s Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities and Low- and No-Emission (Low-No) Vehicle programs, and lessons learned from cities’ successful FY2023 proposals.

Electrifying your Fleet
2024-03-19 14:00 - 15:00
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act provide several funding opportunities for reducing or eliminating greenhouse gas emissions from city and school buses, heavy duty vehicles and other public transit systems, as well as transitioning to zero emission ports. This webinar will explore the various programs that cities can blend and braid to green their fleets.

Safe Streets for All: Technologies for Tracking Near-Misses
2024-03-20 14:00 - 15:00
The Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) awarded $895 million to 620 communities for safety projects and strategies. Many of these winning proposals incorporated new technologies for assessing safety challenges. This session will investigate how cities across the country are using SS4A funding to deploy new data capture technologies including cameras, drones, and LiDAR to detect near-misses and other high-risk incidents, and predictive analysis tools to inform street design and transportation planning.
Questions to be answered include:

What are the most important technologies cities should consider as tools to advance Vision Zero and similar road safety commitments?
How have cities successfully incorporated these technologies into their Planning and Demonstration proposals?
What safety assessment technologies are eligible for funding through the SS4A Planning and Demonstration grants?

Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG): Implementation
2024-04-01
Notice of Funding Opportunity: Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG): Implementation
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Program Description: Funding to implement greenhouse gas reduction policies, projects, and procedures
Funding Details: Provides $250M for noncompetitive planning grants, and approximately $4.6B for competitive implementation grants

Safe Streets for All (SS4A): Planning and Demonstration Grant round 1
2024-04-04
Notice of Funding Opportunity: Safe Streets for All (SS4A)
Agency: Department of Transportation
Program Description: Grant program to support the development of a comprehensive safety action plan that identifies the most significant roadway safety concerns in a community and the implementation of projects and strategies to address roadway safety issues.
Funding Details: $5B available until FY2026; $3B still available for future funding rounds

An Introduction to the IRA Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
2024-04-16 14:00 - 15:00
The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) is a $27 billion investment in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other forms of air pollution by mobilizing financing and private capital to provide accessible, affordable financing for tens of thousands of clean technology projects across the country.
This webinar will provide cities with actionable steps for how to access funds under the Clean Communities Investment Accelerator and National Clean Investment Fund programs. It will also highlight suggestions for how to combine GGRF financing with other Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act funding sources when developing project budgets.
This webinar will also explain the types of projects for which cities can use GGRF financing, such as: providing community solar to low-income households and communities; decarbonizing municipal buildings; and expanding electric vehicle charging and fueling infrastructure or providing access to other forms of zero emissions transportation, including by enhancing walkability.

Grid Resilience and Innovative Partnerships (GRIP)
2024-04-17
Notice of Funding Opportunity: Grid Resilience and Innovative Partnerships (GRIP)
Agency: Department of Energy
Program Description: Funds projects to maximize grid infrastructure deployment at-scale and leverage private sector and non-federal public capital to advance deployment goals.
Funding Details: $10.5B in funding is available through FY2026; up to $3.9B available in current round

Updated Treasury Guidance on SLFRF
2024-04-18 14:00 - 15:00
As the December 21, 2024 deadline for obligating ARPA SLFRF funds approaches, cities are tackling complex questions about allowable uses, obligation requirements, and strategies for leveraging IIJA funding. Following the April 9 session with U.S. Treasury officials to review the latest guidance, the Federal Assistance e311 Program, a partnership between Bloomberg Philanthropies and the United States Conference of Mayors, will host a webinar where federal funding experts and city officials will share the latest developments within the SLFRF program including the newly released and revised FAQs, elaborate on the definition of “obligated funds”, and review the flex provisions and what new eligibilities they provide cities. Mayors and their SLFRF city staff will have the opportunity to ask clarifying questions as well.
Please send any questions in advance to covide311@bloomberg.org and we will get to as many as possible during the session.

Introduction to the Clean Ports Program
2024-04-18 15:30 - 16:30
This webinar will provide an overview of the Clean Ports Program, including reviewing EPA’s eligibility requirements for ports and details on the two main competitions within the program. The session aims to equip attendees with the knowledge necessary to effectively engage with the Clean Ports initiative, whether as a direct applicant or as a local government partner for port authorities who may serve as the main applicant within a region.

Deep Dive into Clean Ports: Applications, Community Engagement, and Project Development
2024-04-24 15:00 - 16:00
This webinar is designed for Clean Ports Program applicants, including cities and port authorities. It will provide clear, actionable steps for developing a competitive application, engaging with surrounding communities impacted by port pollution, and aligning projects with EPA’s program requirements. Attendees will also have an opportunity to hear from experts and ask questions related to the Clean Ports Program.

Low or No Emission Grants for Buses or Bus Facilities
2024-04-25
Notice of Funding Opportunity: Low or No Emission Grants for Buses or Bus Facilities
Agency: Department of Transportation
Program Description: Grants for state and local governments to purchase or lease zero-emission and low-emission transit buses.
Funding Details: BIL provided over $5.6B for the program; $1.7B in awards made in FY2023 funding round

Partnering with CBOs to Advance Environmental Justice
2024-04-30 14:00 - 15:00
When local governments and community-based organizations work together to address environmental justice challenges in their community, their combined resources and expertise can expand a project’s impact. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act have several environmental-justice focused funding streams, many of which require or encourage working with community based organizations. This webinar will feature community based organizations and mayors who have worked together to advance shared environmental justice goals.

Bridges for Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure
2024-05-14 14:00 - 15:00
More than a third of U.S. bridges are in need of repair and 42,400 bridges are rated in poor condition. The Bridge Investment Program (BIP) is federal funding designed to support planning and construction projects for bridges in poor condition or fair condition and at risk of falling into poor condition. This webinar will provide information about the current round of funding and feature mayor’s who won 2022 BIP grants.

Safe Streets for All (SS4A): Planning and Demonstration Grant round 2
2024-05-16

Safe Streets for All (SS4A): Implementation Grants
2024-05-16

Microtrenching: What I Wish I’d Known About New Techniques for Broadband Construction
2024-05-22 14:00 - 15:00
The IIJA provides $65 billion for broadband deployment, with a focus on expanding access to underserved areas. Microtrenching is a method of installing underground utilities that can be faster, more cost-effective, and less disruptive. However, micro-trenched utilities are also more vulnerable to damage from traffic loads, soil movement, and root intrusion. This session will take a close look at cities’ experiences with microtrenching by both private and public broadband providers and lessons learned, and how it can best be integrated into federally-funded projects.
Questions to be answered include:

What is microtrenching and how does it work?
How can microtrenching accelerate and reduce costs of broadband deployment? How can cities incentivize or reduce barriers to this type of construction?
What are the risks and challenges associated with microtrenching? How can cities reduce or mitigate these risks?
How can microtrenching be integrated into proposals for federal broadband funding?

Clean Ports Program
2024-05-28
Notice of Funding Opportunity: Clean Ports Program
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Program Description: This program provides funding for zero-emission port equipment and infrastructure, as well as climate and air quality planning at national ports. This NOFO offers two separate opportunities for funding: the Zero-Emission Technology Deployment Competition AND the Climate and Air Quality Planning Competition.
Funding Details: $3B in available funding; ~$2.8B in zero-emission technology deployment at ports; ~$150M for climate and air quality planning

SMART Technologies for Transportation Accessibility
2024-06-04 14:00 - 15:00
The Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) and Advanced Transportation Technologies and Innovative Mobility Deployment (ATTIMD) programs (also known as the Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN)) are grant programs focusing on using advanced transportation technology to improve transportation systems’ efficiency, safety, connectivity, and performance. This webinar will discuss the types of technologies, and projects that these funds can be used for as well as lessons learned from previous grant winners.

Using Microgrids for Decarbonization and Resilience
2024-06-26 14:00 - 15:00
Microgrids are small-scale electric power networks that help cities increase the use of renewables and decrease dependence on conventional electric power networks. Through the use of smart power management technologies to balance local supply and demand for electricity, microgrids can increase the supply of renewable energy and improve power supply reliability. This session will help cities understand how microgrids can reduce peak power consumption and improve resilience, as well as blended project finance strategies available through IIJA and IRA sources.
Questions to be answered include:

What are microgrids and how do they work?
How do microgrids advance cities’ goals for emissions reduction and resilience?
What are the key partnerships and federal funding sources cities should prioritize to initiate and incentivize microgrid projects?

Good Infrastructure Jobs for All: Engaging the Community for a Better Future
2024-07-09 14:00 - 15:00
This webinar will explore best practices for engaging communities in infrastructure and green energy projects throughout the project life cycle that elevate community needs and wants. The session will also highlight workforce development initiatives that go hand in hand with community engagement like community benefits agreements and project labor agreements, registered apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship programs, and supportive services for job training to support project development.

Federal Assistance e311 Program: Using SLFRF for Affordable Housing
2024-07-16 14:00 - 15:00
Join U.S. Treasury officials to highlight strategies for using SLFRF funds for affordable housing production and preservation and the updated Affordable Housing How-To-Guide. Mayors and city staff will have the opportunity to ask clarifying questions.

Apartment WiFi: How Mesh Networks Can Close the Broadband Gap in Multi-Family Housing
2024-07-24 14:00 - 15:00
Current approaches to closing the broadband gap are focused on full deployment of fiber-to-the-home. But improvements in mesh network technology provide new options for quick and cost-effective broadband deployment in multi-family buildings, by placing access points throughout the property and then connecting the entire building to fiber. This approach is how Wi-Fi is provided in hotels today. This session will provide an overview of the technology of mesh networks, and explore delivery strategies that leverage municipal, industry, and federal digital equity funding sources.
Questions to be answered include:

What are mesh networks/distributed antenna systems and do they work?
What are the benefits and limitations of apartment/hotel WiFi networks?
How can cities work with state, federal, and private sector partners to deliver apartment Wi-Fi projects?
What other wireless technologies are available to close stubborn broadband gaps in cities and what tools are available to help deliver them?

Preparing for the Digital Equity Competitive Grants
2024-07-30 14:00 - 15:00
This webinar is designed to help cities prepare for the soon to be announced Digital Equity Competitive Grant program. This is a $1.25 billion grant for community initiatives that ensure everyone has access to the technologies that undergird an increasingly digital economy and training and skills they need to take advantage of them.
