FEDERAL FUNDING
Our Commitment
Leveraging federal funding so that Virginia can meet our conservation and environmental goals.
THE ISSUE
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.
Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program
Department of Transportation
Clearing House for Environmental Financing
Environmental Protection Agency
Elective Pay Eligibility Frequently Asked Questions
Internal Revenue Services
EPA Clean School Bus Program
Environmental Protection Agency
EPA Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program
Environmental Protection Agency
EPA Funding Announcements from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act
Environmental Protection Agency
Implementation Framework for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
Environmental Protection Agency
Low or No Emission Grant Program
Federal Transit Administration
National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program
Department of Transportation
Neighborhood Access and Equity Program
Department of Transportation
Open and Upcoming Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Funding Opportunities
White House
Reconnecting Communities Pilot Grant Program
Department of Transportation
The Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) Program
Department of Energy
Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grants
NOAA Fisheries
Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program
Federal Highway Administration
Climate Investments in VA: School Bus Electrification
VCN is partnering with different organizations to create videos showcasing federal funds being brought into Virginia. Recently, Generation180 assisted Lynchburg City Schools in leveraging federal funds to electrify a portion of its school bus fleet.
Climate Investments in VA: Home Energy Efficiency Upgrades
VCN is partnering with different organizations to create videos showcasing federal funds being brought into Virginia. Our first partner, Viridiant, highlights the impact of Home Energy Rebates.
Solar For All, and $156M for Virginia
Virginia received $156,120,000 through Solar For All. One hundred percent of the funding awarded today is dedicated toward distributed solar investments to benefit low-income and disadvantaged communities.
What to know about the Inflation Reduction Act on its one-year anniversary
August 16th marked the signing of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) into law. The landmark IRA was the first major piece of legislation passed by Congress to address climate change, and just one year after its passage it is already improving Virginia residents’ lives.
Climate Investments from the White House Are Coming to Virginia – What Should We Expect?
What do federal bills mean for the conservation movement in Virginia? VCN highlighted the climate funding and projects Virginia will receive from these pieces of federal legislation, with a focus on our environmental priorities.
ROUNDUP: Billion for the Bay Initiative
Round-up of statements from the conservation community on the Billion for the Bay letter, calling for one billion dollars in funding for Chesapeake Bay restoration.
Report: Empowering Tomorrow
Clean Energy States Alliance recently released a report outlining how Solar for All state programs, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, will benefit low-income and disadvantaged communities.
Grant Search Tool for Federal Funding
Local Infrastructure Hub released a grant search tool providing nearly 400 grant opportunities available to communities through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Inflation Reduction Act Tracker
Our Partners at EDF released an up-to-date tracker tool that records steps taken by federal agencies to implement the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
ARTICLE: $600M provided to US communities for public electric vehicle chargers
The Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program provided more than $600 million to US communities for more public chargers for electric vehicles.
EPA Funding Announcements from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act
The Environmental Protection Agency released an updated overview of current and upcoming funding opportunities from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act.
Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program
The Federal Highway Administration recently updated their information portal on the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program, a grant program aiming to reduce wildlife vehicle collisions and enhance habitat connectivity.