FEDERAL FUNDING FOR CONSERVATION
Leveraging federal funding for local & state governments
There is an unprecedented amount of funding available at the federal level that the state should leverage to meet our conservation and environmental goals. Funds will be distributed in different ways and through multiple different channels. Some funding has already started to flow and some grant programs haven’t opened up yet. The following resources are meant to highlight some of the biggest opportunities for the Commonwealth to utilize.
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
The Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, infused historic levels of federal dollars towards clean transportation and charging infrastructure as well as funding to strengthen the nation’s drinking, storm, and wastewater systems.
In addition to the new programs created through the IRA, historic funding has been infused into many existing programs for Chesapeake Bay cleanup, land conservation, resilience, wildlife crossings, and more. Throughout portions of the Briefing Book, federal programs are highlighted that can help achieve specific environmental goals.
Inflation Reduction Act
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), signed into law in August 2022, established investments through grant programs and tax credits in the clean energy economy, many of which may be leveraged by state and local governments. Opportunities include investments in solar, wind, energy efficiency, electric vehicles, and other technologies that reduce our dependence on carbon-intensive infrastructure. In addition, the IRA established a direct pay program providing the opportunity for governments to receive the value of clean energy tax credits as cash payments.
EPA Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program
EPA’s new Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants program (Community Change Grants) has announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity for approximately $2 billion dollars in Inflation Reduction Act funds in environmental and climate justice activities to benefit disadvantaged communities through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity to address environmental and climate justice challenges. The focus of this grant is to provide resources to support multi-sectoral collaboration and projects that address environmental and climate challenges in communities facing disproportionate and adverse health, pollution, and environmental impacts, and chronic disinvestment. As part of this process, it looks to build community capacity to drive change and participate in decision-making processes through 2 project tracks. You can view the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) here.
FEDERAL FUNDING RESOURCES
VCN PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS
Blue Green Alliance – Direct Pay Guide for Government, Schools and Nonprofits
Blue Green Alliance – Roadmap to Navigating Federal Funding for Public Buildings
Blue Green Alliance – Checklist for Federal Funding Applications
Climate Cabinet – Direct Pay & Rural Opportunities Presentation
Environmental Defense Fund – Inflation Reduction Act Tracker
Generation180 – Everything You Need to Know About the IRA & IIJA Fact Sheet
Generation 180 – Everything You Need to Know About the IRA & IIJA Webinar
UNIVERSITIES & FOUNDATIONS
Campbell Foundation – Overview of Recent Federal Funding & Opportunities for the Chesapeake Region
UVA Weldon Cooper Center – Funding Opportunities to Advance Clean Energy in Rural Virginia
Atlas Public Policy & Water Foundation – Water Program Portal
FEDERAL AGENCIES
Department of Energy – The Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) program
Department of Transportation – National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program Guidance
Department of Transportation – Neighborhood Access and Equity Program
Environmental Protection Agency – Implementation Framework for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
Environmental Protection Agency – EPA Funding Announcements from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act
Environmental Protection Agency – Clearing House for Environmental Financing
Federal Highway Administration – Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program
Internal Revenue Services – Elective Pay Eligibility Frequently Asked Questions
NOAA Fisheries – Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grants
White House – Open and Upcoming Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Funding Opportunities