Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
On April 4, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency announced the selection of eight applications in the first two grant competitions for funding through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF): the National Clean Investment Fund (NCIF) and the Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA).
Among those selected for NCIF was the Coalition for Green Capital (a consortium of organizations from throughout the country that includes the Connecticut Green Bank), which will receive $5 billion from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. Their press release can be read here. Read Governor Lamont’s statement on this historic announcement here.
The Justice Climate Fund (JCF) was selected among the CCIA applicants to receive $1 billion in funds. (The Green Bank is part of their application.) Read their announcement here.
On April 22, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency announced the selection of sixty applications for funding through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF)’s Solar for All competition.” “Among those selected for Solar for All was the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) for Connecticut’s Project SunBridge proposal, which will receive $62.5 million from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. Their press release can be read here. Read DEEP’s statement on this historic announcement here.
For more information on Project SunBridge – click here.
Below you can access planning documents and information related to the Green Bank’s efforts to attract these federal funds and support Connecticut’s green economy.
National Clean Investment Fund
This $14 billion competition will fund 2-3 national nonprofits that will partner with private capital providers to deliver financing at scale to businesses, communities, community lenders, and others, catalyzing tens of thousands of clean technology projects to accelerate our progress towards energy independence and a net-zero economic future.
The Connecticut Green Bank is working with a coalition of green banks and capital providers from across the country to envision how these projects can help contribute to a greener future.
The Green Bank has provided the EPA with both written and verbal public comments on the National Climate Investment Fund competition:
Clean Communities Investment Accelerator
This $6 billion competition will fund 2-7 hub nonprofits with plans and capabilities to rapidly build the clean financing capacity of networks of public, quasi-public (e.g. the Connecticut Green Bank), and non-profit community lenders to ensure that households, small businesses, schools, and community institutions in low-income and disadvantaged communities have access to financing for cost-saving and pollution-reducing clean technology projects.
The Connecticut Green Bank is working with a coalition of capital providers from across the region to envision how these projects can help contribute to a greener future.
The Green Bank has provided the EPA with both written and verbal public comments on the Clean Communities Investment Accelerator competition:
Solar for All
This $7 billion competition will provide up to 60 grants to states, Tribal governments, municipalities, and nonprofits to expand the number of low-income and disadvantaged communities that are primed for investment in residential and community solar – enabling millions of families to access affordable, resilient, and clean solar energy.
The Connecticut Green Bank has partnered with agencies across the State, including the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, to assemble a state-wide vision of how this funding can be used to further expand and improve our existing solar deployment programs.
The Green Bank has provided the EPA with both written and verbal public comments on the Solar for All competition:
- Listening Session – Solar for All – March 16, 2023
- Listening Session – Solar for All – May 4, 2023
- Written Public Comment – by Connecticut Consortium for Solar for All – May 10, 2023
- Solar for All Partner Connection Form – submitted by the Connecticut Green Bank, on behalf of the Connecticut Consortium, on June 16, 2023
- Notice of Intent from the State of Connecticut – Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Implementation Framework, Solar for All, Funding Opportunity No. EPA-R-HQ-SFA-23-01
Solar for All Request for Applications (RFI) – The Connecticut Consortium is accepting written comments on initiatives to include in its application to the EPA’s Solar for All Request for Applications that can support the successful implementation of the state’s public policies. In addition, a public meeting will be held on August 24, 2023, at 1:00 p.m.
For more information please click here to read the notice.
Envisioning the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
While working to develop these three competitions, the EPA requested input from all interested parties. The Green Bank provided both written and verbal public comments:
- Written Public Comment – by Connecticut Green Bank to EFAB – December 1, 2022
- Written Public Comment – by Connecticut Green Bank to EPA – December 5, 2022
Several organizations that work closely with the Green Bank also provided input to the EPA during this process:
- Public Comment – by DEEP to EPA – December 5, 2022
- Public Comment – by Multistate in Coordination by DEEP to EPA – December 5, 2022
- Public Comment – by Puerto Rico in Support of Multistate to EPA – December 9, 2022
In honor of the second anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act, including the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, the Green Bank celebrated the moment.
Public Engagement on the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
Interested in learning more about how the Green Bank is contributing to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund? There are a number of opportunities for learning and engagement, including:
- Spotlight on Residential Solar in Connecticut Webinar Series – webinars that cover residential solar incentive and financing programs in Connecticut as models to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, deliver benefits to low-income and disadvantaged communities, and mobilize private capital leveraging public funds, including:
- Webinar #1: Residential Solar Investment and Deployment in Connecticut: An In-Depth Review of a 10-Year Incentive Program (2012-2022) – May 4, 2023
- Further supporting data: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/61309849fa0e46e289c7e4355b9c19a0
- Webinar #2: Financing Residential Solar in Connecticut #1: Insights into Loan Programs – June 5, 2023
- Further supporting data: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/84ce04cdd6a44403855943539a7dae09
- Webinar #3: Financing Residential Solar in Connecticut #2: Insights into Lease and Third Party Ownership programs – August 3, 2023
- Further supporting data: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/ad977ddbed5e44bba5a82f97eb7e4cfa