https://www.americancityandcounty.com/wp-content/themes/acc_child/assets/images/logo/footer-logo.png
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Hybrid Work
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcast
    • Latest videos
    • Product Guides
  • Resources & Events
    • Back
    • Resources
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • IWCE 2022
    • How to Contribute
    • Municipal Cost Index – Archive
    • Equipment Watch Page
    • American City & County Awards
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Cookie Policy
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
American City and County
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Hybrid Work
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcasts
    • Latest videos
    • Product Guides
  • Resources/Events
    • Back
    • Webinars
    • White Papers/eBooks
    • IWCE Expo
    • Calendar of Events
    • How to Contribute
    • American City & County Awards
    • Municipal Cost Index
    • Equipment Watch Page
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Cookie Policy
    • Privacy Stament
    • Terms of Service
  • newsletter
  • Administration
  • Economy & Finance
  • Procurement
  • Public Safety
  • Public Works & Utilities
  • Smart Cities & Technology
  • Magazine
acc.com

Public Works & Utilities


News

EPA guide helps locals find financing to support green communities

EPA guide helps locals find financing to support green communities

Online tool points the way to loans, grants and other funding for energy efficiency improvements.
  • Written by lisaacs
  • 18th January 2012

State and local governments looking to increase energy efficiency and invest in renewable energy have some new tools courtesy of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The federal agency has put together a Clean Energy Financing Decision Tool and Guide to help states and communities figure out how to pay for going green.

Increasingly, governments have found that up-front costs prevent homeowners, building owners and businesses from making more efficient or renewable energy improvements. The EPA says its two new aids will show how various clean energy financing programs can make energy improvements more affordable.

The Financing Program Decision Tool is geared for the early stages of choosing a financing plan for energy projects. The tool asks government staffers simple questions. Some examples: “Which sector will the program target?” “Will the target market include tenant-occupied buildings?” “Can you take on additional debt?” “Do you have access to funds that will not need to be repaid?”

Based on staffers’ answers, the tool will highlight “the most promising program options for your jurisdiction,” according to the EPA.

The Financing Program Decision Guide complements the tool, explaining in detail different financing options and key factors communities should consider to start or expand clean energy programs. Some keys to success, according to the guide, include keeping monthly payments for energy improvements low so that the costs can be recovered over time, and broadening eligibility requirements so that more people and businesses can participate.

Communities can choose from a variety of funding options, including loans from Specialized Energy Lenders approved by Fannie Mae for the National Energy Loan program, special bonds like the Property Assessed Clean Energy bonds issued for energy improvements in designated districts, dedicated taxes and tariffs, grants and special leasing arrangements.

More information about the EPA’s financing tool and guide, and other clean energy programs is available on the EPA website. 

Tags: Economy Public Works & Utilities News

Most Recent


  • environmental
    Seasons change: Addressing environmental issues takes many forms
    With extreme temperatures, increasing natural disasters and seasonal changes that are no longer predictable, environmental concerns are growing across the world. As a result, government and educational institutions, through their political bodies and leadership, are now mandating and prioritizing sustainability for their communities. The measures being taken, and goals being met, take many forms to […]
  • federal grants
    Best laid plans: Here are a few steps cities and counties should take when a federal grant comes their way
    Part 1 of this report on managing federal grants and funds appeared in the June 2023 issue of Government Procurement. In recent years, Congress has approved legislation giving local governments access to new sources of federal grants and funds. The laws include: American Rescue Plan Act (APRA), Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES), […]
  • sustainability
    5 ways procurement can lead on government sustainability
    A seat at the table.” “No longer a back-office function.” “Purchasing is tactical, procurement is strategic.” You can’t spend a day diving into the world of public sector procurement without running headlong into this sentiment. Conference keynotes, webinars, certification curricula and more have been dedicated to advancing the premise that procurement is at its best […]
  • HUD awards 28 multifamily subsidized properties $18 million for green energy retrofits, modernization
    The challenges of retrofitting legacy properties to modern standards can’t be understated—both practically and fiscally. The latest investment of $18 million in funding through the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program announced last week by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is intended to help property owners participating in assistant multifamily housing programs […]

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your American City and County account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • How local governments can improve bridge projects through strategic engagement
  • NLC releases State of Cities 2021 report
  • How local governments can get ahead of the infrastructure wave: Strategies to mitigate risk
  • Prioritizing rapid restore leads to stronger ransomware attack recovery

White papers


7 Resources to Level-up Your Federal Grants Administration and Compliance

5th September 2023

Elevator Phone Line Replacement Strategy | A Guide to Reliable, Code-Compliant Solutions

29th August 2023

2023 State of Public Sourcing Report: The Bright Future of Public Procurement

23rd August 2023
view all

Webinars


Grant Preparedness: Unlocking Funding Opportunities for Your Success

10th August 2023

2023 State of Public Sourcing: Taking Local Governments into a Bright Future

1st August 2023

Stop Playing with Fire: How to Manage Infrastructure Asset Risk So You Know You’re Covered

20th June 2023
view all

PODCAST


Young Leaders Episode 4 – Cyril Jefferson – City Councilman, High Point, North Carolina

13th October 2020

Young Leaders Episode 3 – Shannon Hardin – City Council President, Columbus, Ohio

27th July 2020

Young Leaders Episode 2 – Christian Williams – Development Services Planner, Goodyear, Ariz.

1st July 2020
view all

GALLERIES


Gallery: Hottest temperatures recorded in American cities during July

12th September 2023

The top 10 Asthma Capitals for 2023

7th September 2023

U.S. cities with the cleanest air from latest “State of the Air” report

5th September 2023
view all

Twitter


Newsletters

Sign up for American City & County’s newsletters to receive regular news and information updates about local governments.

Resale Insights Dashboard

The Resale Insights Dashboard provides model-level data for the entire used equipment market to help you save time and money.

Municipal Cost Index

Updated monthly since 1978, our exclusive Municipal Cost Index shows the effects of inflation on the cost of providing municipal services

Media Kit and Advertising

Want to reach our digital audience? Learn more here.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • IWCE’s Urgent Communications
  • IWCE Expo

WORKING WITH US

  • About Us
  • Contact Us

FOLLOW American City and County ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2023 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.