Materials for July 16 call: Promoting Energy Efficiency through Building Codes
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Federal climate / energy funding opportunities
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EPA's Climate Showcase Communities -
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has $10 million available to distribute competitively to local and tribal governments in 2010 through the Climate Showcase Communities program. Funding will be awarded for innovative and replicable projects that produce significant and cost-effective reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Approximately 20-30 grants ranging between $100,000-$500,000 will be awarded to localities, with an additional 1-3 grants distributed to tribal governments. The deadline for applications is July 26, 2010. For more information, visit http://www.epa.gov/slclimat/local/showcase.
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HUD's Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grants - Congress provided the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) a total of $150 million for a
Sustainable Communities Initiative to improve regional planning efforts that integrate housing
and transportation decisions, and increase the capacity to improve land use and zoning. Of that
total, $100 million is available for the Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant
Program. The Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Program will support
metropolitan and multijurisdictional planning efforts that integrate housing, land use, economic
and workforce development, transportation, and infrastructure investments in a manner that
empowers jurisdictions to consider the interdependent challenges of: (1) economic
competitiveness and revitalization; (2) social equity, inclusion, and access to opportunity; (3)
energy use and climate change; and (4) public health and environmental impact. The deadline for applications is August 23, 2010. For more information, visit http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/nofa10/scrpg.cfm.
- HUD's Community Challenge Grants and DOT's TIGER II Planning Grants -
HUD has $40 million available for its Community Challenge Planning Grants and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is authorized to use up to $35 million for transportation planning grants under TIGER II. HUD’s Community Challenge Planning Grant Program will foster reform and reduce barriers to achieving affordable, economically vital, and sustainable communities. DOT’s TIGER II Planning Grants may be awarded, like TIGER II Discretionary Grants, to Eligible Applicants, and may be used for activities related to the planning, preparation or design of Eligible Projects, including, but not limited to h ighway or bridge projects, public transportation projects, passenger and freight rail transportation projects; and port infrastructure investments. The deadline for applications is August 23, 2010. For more information, visit http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/nofa10/huddotnofa.cfm.
- DOT's TIGER II Grants -
The FY 2010 federal budget included $600 million for the Department of Transportation (DOT) to model a grant program after the widely popular TIGER grants. The 2010 version of this program, known as National Infrastructure Investments (or TIGER II), will again distribute funding to local governments for transportation projects that increase access to mass transit, incorporate pathways for bicyclists or pedestrians, and/or decrease vehicle-miles traveled. Of the $600 million available this year, $140 million is reserved for rural areas and $35 million is reserved for planning grants. The deadline for applications is August 23, 2010. For more information, visit http://www.dot.gov/recovery/ost/tigerii.
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Urge the Senate to pass comprehensive, bi-partisan federal clean energy and climate legislation
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Climate Communities is seeking the endorsement of local elected leaders from across America to encourage Senator Kerry and Senator Lieberman to include funding for EECBG in the federal clean energy and climate legislation this year and to ensure strong support for the essential role of local governments in promoting clean energy and addressing climate change. Click here to review the letter and sign on to the petition.
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Discounted membership offer for first-time Climate Communities members
Climate Communities needs your support.
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In 2009, Climate Communities was effective as a coalition in securing federal resources for the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Climate Showcase Communities program, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Sustainable Communities initiative, as well as including significant funding for local climate actions in proposed climate change legislation.
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2010 will be a challenging year. President Obama included no resources in his FY 2011 budget request for either the EECBG or Climate Showcase Communiites initiatives, so we will need a strong coalition of local government leaders working with us as we urge Congress to build on the federal sustainability investments of 2009.
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As an incentive to become a Climate Communities leader, we're offering first-time members a 1/4 off discount on annual membership if you join before June 30, 2010. Click here for more information.
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DOE release new solar infrastructure guide for local governments
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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has developed a comprehensive resource to assist local governments and stakeholders in building sustainable local solar markets. “Solar Powering Your Community: A Guide for Local Governments” introduces a range of policy and program options that have been successfully field tested in cities and counties around the country. The guide describes each policy or program, followed by more information on:
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- Benefits: Identifies benefits from implementing the policy or program.
- Implementation Tips and Options: Outlines various tips and options for designing and implementing the policy or program.
- Examples: Highlights experiences from communities that have successfully implemented the policy or program.
- Additional References and Resources: Lists additional reports, references, and tools that offer more information on the topic, where applicable.
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Click here for an online version of the guide. |
