EPA awards $20b in grants for clean energy projects
DETROIT, April 4, (AP): The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday awarded $20 billion in federal “green bank” grants to eight community development banks and nonprofit organizations to use on projects combating climate change in disadvantaged communities and helping Americans save money and reduce their carbon footprints.
The money could fund tens of thousands of eligible projects ranging from residential heat pumps and other energy-efficient home improvements to larger-scale projects such as electric vehicle charging stations and community cooling centers, according to senior administration officials.
Vice President Kamala Harris, EPA Administrator Michael Regan and other officials planned to announce the grant selections during a visit to Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday.
Recipients were awarded competitive grants from two of the three programs overseen by the “green bank” created in the Biden administration’s landmark climate law, the Inflation Reduction Act, passed in 2022.
Formally known as the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, the $27 billion bank is one of many federal efforts to invest in solutions that cut planetwarming greenhouse gas emissions and address human-caused climate change, a topic President Joe Biden has emphasized in his presidency and reelection campaign.
The bank’s goals are to reduce climate and air pollution and mobilize public and private capital in the communities that need it most.
As part of Thursday’s news, the $14 billion National Clean Investment Fund program granted money to three nonprofits that will partner with states and the private sector to provide affordable financing for projects across the country.
The $6 billion Clean Communities Investment Accelerator also granted money to five institutions that will work with other groups to establish hubs that make funding and technical assistance accessible to community lenders.
Recipients committed to spending $7 in private sector funding for each $1 from the federal investment money, to “reduce or avoid” 40 million metric tons of carbon dioxide each year and earmark 70% of the money for disadvantaged and low-income communities. These groups are often passed over by commercial banks and investors yet are disproportionately impacted by climate change.
Among the eight funding recipients are:
-Coalition for Green Capital, a nonprofit working with a nationwide network of state, local, and nonprofit green banks, received $5 billion.
-Power Forward Communities, a nonprofit coalition formed by five housing, climate, and community investment groups, received $2 billion.
-Appalachian Community Capital, a nonprofit community development financial institution working with lenders in Appalachia, received $500 million.
Also part of the bank is the $7 billion Solar for All program, which will award states, tribes and municipalities money for a variety of residential and community solar projects at a later date.
Specifics around the bank were outlined last February, with applications for the programs sought in July and due last fall.