Celebrating Two Years of the Inflation Reduction Act

Today we celebrate the anniversary of the signing of the Inflation Reduction Act! On August 16, 2022, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), providing billions of dollars for communities in the Southeast to advance sustainability via opportunities including the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant, DOT’s Reconnecting Neighborhood’s program, and the Solar for All program - among many others.

Learn more about just some of the recent successful applications for Inflation Reduction Act grants in the Southeast:

• Fort Smith, AR Awarded $14.5 Million as Part of Historic EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant
• South Carolina: 59M grant will help the Midlands reduce the effects of heat islands, preserve wetlands
• Albemarle County and Charlottesville, VA: Resilient Together Climate Resilience Cohort   
• Palm Beach County, FL Awarded $1M from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to Expand Tree Canopy in Glades Communities
• Charlotte, NC Receives $1.1M for Tree Care in Corridors of Opportunity 
• Savannah, GA Part of Coalition That Receives $156 Million EPA Grant to Expand Residential Solar
• Richmond, VA Awarded $6 Million From USDA for Urban Forestry 
• Arkansas Advanced Energy Welcomes Intent for Over $93 Million 
• Chattanooga, TN: USDA awards city $6 million grant to improve urban forestry in underserved communities 

One of the IRA's largest programs, the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GHGRF), shared a big announcement this morning: the EPA officially obligated all $27 billion in funds for the GHGRF including the National Clean Investment Fund (NCIF), the Clean Communities Investment Accelerator, and the Solar for All Program. This announcement includes a list of contact information for the Solar for All award recipients for each state.  Local governments are encouraged to review this announcement and connect with their appropriate Solar for All Program contact to learn more about how their community can benefit from these programs. 

Speaking of the IRA...

• DOE’s Assistance for the Adoption of the Latest and Zero Building Energy Codes program was modified to no longer require a concept paper submission. That means anyone can now apply until September 13, 2024. This Funding Opportunity provides funding to states and local governments with the authority to adopt building codes for activities including the adoption and implementation of the latest model building energy codes, zero energy codes, and innovative code equivalents such as building performance standards.
• EPA’s Community Change grant is due November 21, 2024 however it is recommended to apply earlier as this program has rolling announcements for awards. If you are looking for technical assistance from EPA, you will need to request that TA by tonight (August 16, 2024) here: https://www.epa.gov/inflation-reduction-act/community-change-grants-technical-assistance

Summaries, reflections, and more about the past two years' work is available online via publications from The White House, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). For more information about SSDN's federal programs and support to its members, please contact Michael Dexter, Director of Federal Programs (michael@southeastsdn.org).