Impact Investment Goldmine: Meet the 862 Clean Energy Projects in Search of Funding
We analyzed 862 clean energy projects that missed out on federal funding to learn what state and local leaders want in their backyards.
Maintaining Momentum
Tools and resources to help finance the large pipeline of clean energy projects ready to spur local economic, environmental, and social impact
Catalyzed by unprecedented federal and private sector investment, states and municipalities, utilities and rural electric co-ops, industries, developers, and frontline organizations have identified and prioritized thousands of clean energy projects they want realized in their communities. Programs like the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program, Empowering Rural America (New ERA) Program, Solar for All, Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program, and the competitive Energy Investment Tax Credit (Section 48) surfaced many more high-quality proposals to deploy clean energy infrastructure and technologies than federal funding could support.
Maintaining Momentum offers insights and guidance for state and local governments, public and private investors, and the many other stakeholders committed to achieving the economic and environmental benefits of these clean energy projects. The following resources can help connect clean energy projects sponsors with potential funding and implementing partners, and vice versa.
A Focus on CPRG
To start to make sense of the large backlog of clean energy projects identified for federal funding opportunities, Maintaining Momentum dives into the hundreds of clean energy plans and projects proposed to one illustrative program — the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program. The following resources offer alternative strategies to those applicants unsuccessful in securing implementation funding from CPRG. And they offer a ready set of government, industry, and community projects and partners for public and private financing agencies looking to back clean energy deployment and manufacturing.
CPRG Implementation Grant Project Inventory
Search key details from all 299 CPRG applications, including 284 still in search of financing.
What Investors Have to Gain from America’s Backlog of Clean Energy Projects
RMI reviewed 862 project plans to shine a light on shovel-ready, community-centered, and profitable clean energy investment opportunities.
Alternative Financing Decision Trees for Common Clean Energy Projects
Helping to plan and complete the capital stack for fleet electrification, building efficiency, community solar, and other clean energy projects.
Maintaining Momentum: Alternative Funding Guide for State Energy Projects
EPA just awarded $3.1B in grants to 13 state projects — here’s how states can pay for the other 600+ priority measures in their action plans.
Related Resources
We Read 6,795 Pages of State Climate Plans. Here’s a First Look at What We Found.
Almost every state has written a Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP) to take advantage of Inflation Reduction Act funding from the CPRG program. Here are the numbers documenting their climate ambition.
The Transition Finance Nexus
A primer on the connections among transition pathways, planning, assessment, and finance in the banking sector and case studies on implementation
A Banker’s Guide to Maximizing Climate Impact through Multi-Level Engagement
Banks can maximize their climate-focused engagement by coordinating efforts across the client, sector, and policy levels.
US Governors Are Leading Efforts to Tackle the Cost of Electricity
As electricity prices rise, we offer recommendations for governors seeking to provide near-term relief for customers and lower system costs in the long run.
Please contact states@rmi.org if you are interested in learning more about Maintaining Momentum.