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RMI’s Guide to Federal Clean Energy Incentives

A great green rush is underway, as companies, governments, and individuals race to cash in on unprecedented incentives and policies that are supercharging the US transition to clean energy.

On this page, learn how to maximize benefits from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), and related federal policies and incentives.

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The Opportunity: Unprecedented Federal Investment

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is the greatest investment in US economic growth and climate action in our lifetimes. Together with related bills, its benefits will be far-reaching, including nationwide economic stimulus, cleaner air, improved health, new jobs, progress toward climate goals, and more. Across the board, these equity-focused incentives are designed to ensure benefits flow to the communities that need them most. And yet, these incentives’ sheer scale and complexity can slow adoption, raising the risk of missing key deadlines.

To cut through this complexity, in this section, we’ve highlighted the opportunities and how to access them.

Breaking Down the Inflation Reduction Act. Program by Program. Incentive by Incentive.

This spreadsheet breaks down the funding opportunities in the IRA to allow a variety of users to easily find out which programs and tax incentives can benefit them.
Congress’s Climate Triple Whammy: Innovation, Investment, and Industrial Policy

The Inflation Reduction Act along with the IIJA and CHIPS and Science Act will help the US build out a robust clean energy industry and tackle climate change.
The Economic Tides Just Turned for States

RMI uncovers the surprising, transformative benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act and clean energy for US states.
How the Inflation Reduction Act Will Spur a Revolution in EV Battery Supply Chains

The IRA’s provisions for critical minerals, the “clean vehicle credit” could catalyze a new era of US leadership in sustainable supply chains.

The Inflation Reduction Act Could Transform the US Buildings Sector

The Inflation Reduction Act could drive millions of retrofits, upgrades, and clean technology installations in US homes, schools, and workplaces.
State Clean Energy Economy Opportunity

Envision how 22 states can produce and use more clean power
To see more opportunity resources, filter the resources below by the Opportunity tag.
The Key: Effective Implementation

But to maximize the benefits to the economy, health, and climate from these investments, rapid implementation is imperative. It's now up to state and local policymakers, businesses, nonprofits, utilities, and everyday consumers to seize the opportunity and implement the IRA.

In this section, we've assembled more detailed information and guidance to effectively pursue and apply IRA investments across multiple programs, recipients, and sectors.

State Energy Policy in a Land of New Federal Opportunity

Unprecedented new and expanded federal programs have fundamentally shifted the landscape of what’s economically and politically feasible for state policymakers, creating a massive opportunity for states to unlock wide-ranging benefits and attract billions in federal funds and private investment for their residents and businesses.

Unlocking the IRA: Six Key Opportunities for State Policymakers

For State Policymakers - How states can capitalize on historic climate and clean energy funds.
To Harness Cleantech Opportunities, Economic Development Organizations Need to Think Big

For Economic Development Leaders - With trillions of dollars of federal and private investment on the line, the stakes are high for states and regions looking to attract investment in cleantech industries.

What Utility Regulators Need to Know about the IRA

For Utility Regulators - The Inflation Reduction Act is the largest investment to date to modernize the US energy system, and regulators have a role to play in its implementation.
Gaps and Barriers to Stacking Federal, State, and Local Incentives

When combined with state, utility, and local incentives, the home energy incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act can make decarbonizing households more affordable and feasible for all.
Clean Repowering: A Near-Term, IRA-Powered Energy Transition Accelerant

How new clean electricity generation and storage projects can weather the turbulence and help the energy transition stay on course.
To see more implementation resources, filter the resources below by the Implementation tag.
The Results: Success Stories

The good news is that many states, cities, businesses, and other stakeholders are already accessing this funding and building out clean energy projects. While federal authorities continue to roll out guidance on funding, projects that were in the pipeline are already benefiting and new projects are seeing their design, development, and deployment speed up.

To document this progress, below, we are collecting case studies and examples of successful IRA implementations.

How Cities Can Scale On-Site Solar with New Federal Incentives

San Antonio, Texas, will soon be one of the first major US cities to leverage the new “direct pay” mechanism to build one of the largest on-site solar projects for local governments.
What Happens When Utilities Start to Integrate the IRA into Planning?

When utilities integrate the Inflation Reduction Act into their planning, the future looks a lot brighter.
Back to School, with Electric Buses

Going back to school with clean, electric school buses means healthier kids and less pollution.
4 Communities Embrace Clean Energy Incentives

America Is All In hit the road this fall, bringing IRA resources, expertise, and collaboration to three cities: Charlotte, North Carolina; Orlando, Florida; and Columbus, Ohio.
Narrowing the Solar Equity Gap through Solarize

Cities are helping low- and moderate-income households install solar with Solarize campaigns.
Virtual Power Plants, Real Benefits

This analysis from RMI's VP3 illustrates the benefits of virtual power plants and describes key priorities for unlocking market growth.
To see more success stories, filter the resources below by the Success Stories tag.
Key Tools
Decarbonizing Industry Resource Tool (DIRT)

Get the DIRT on industrial decarbonization incentives
AFFORD

Find, compare, and prioritize funding options with the America’s Federal Funding Opportunities and Resources for Decarbonization tool
Clean Growth Toolkit

Evaluate feasible clean energy and cleantech industries for your metro area
Energy Policy Simulator

Estimate the environmental, economic, and health impacts of hundreds of climate and energy policies
State Scorecards

See where 20 different states stand on climate progress

America Is All In Federal Funding Hub

Keep up to date with federal funding opportunities and deadlines
State Clean Energy Economy Opportunity

Envision how 22 states can produce and use more clean power
eLab Accelerator: Financing the Shift to Clean Energy

Build competitive and ambitious clean energy project applications that can unlock billions of dollars of federal resources with the help of our experts
All IRA Resources
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