IRA & BIL Implementation
Providing states with information, tailored guidance, and opportunities for collaboration to capitalize on billions of dollars in federal clean energy opportunities.
IRA, BIL, and the Future of Energy: A Summit to Support State Implementation was a highly successful event in April 2024 that brought together more than 200 state and federal government officials and program staff who are working to implement IRA/BIL programs. Read more...
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) provide unprecedented opportunities for states to speedily advance clean energy deployment and decarbonize their economies by leveraging federal funding, policies, and technical assistance. These opportunities include unlimited tax incentives, grant opportunities, loan assistance, and more. CESA’s IRA & BIL Implementation Initiative tracks federal policy and funding opportunities and provides information, guidance, and technical assistance to CESA-member organizations and to all states.
This initiative works to:
- Identify and address states’ funding and capacity gaps
- Help states collaborate with one another and with federal agencies such as the US Department of Energy (DOE) and US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to efficiently implement provisions in the federal legislation
- Make states aware of relevant analysis, resources, and technical assistance from national energy laboratories
- Center climate-impacted communities by bringing in the perspectives of environmental justice organizations and community-based organizations (CBOs)
The initiative also hosts working groups of states, meetings, and webinars on IRA & BIL programs of interest to states. These opportunities give states the chance to collaborate across state borders with one another and connect with the federal agencies and departments in charge of those programs to address their needs and prioritize the use of program funding. If you are a state energy official interested in learning more about and joining these meetings, please email [email protected].
Assistance to States on EPA’s Solar for All Program
CESA is helping states prepare to apply to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for funding under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund’s Solar for All Program. Through this IRA initiative, EPA will award up to $7 billion in grants to states, territories, Tribal governments, municipalities, and nonprofits to expand solar for low-income and disadvantaged communities. CESA has been convening discussions among state officials to allow them to share ideas and questions about this funding opportunity. CESA is also producing model program templates that states can adapt and use as starting points for developing their Solar for All program concepts to submit to EPA. CESA templates have been shared with the states for low-income single-family homes and community solar programs, and one is being prepared for multifamily affordable housing. (The templates are neither created, sponsored, or sanctioned by EPA.)
- Community Solar for Low-Income and Disadvantaged Communities Program Design Options
- Single-Family Home LMI Solar Program: Program Design Guidance
- Single-Family Home LMI Solar Program Request for Proposals Template
Weekly Newsletter: IRA and BIL Opportunities & News
CESA produces a weekly newsletter describing resources and opportunities funded by the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The newsletter features commentary and explanations for why certain opportunities deserve states’ attention. It is edited and produced by Anna Ziai, CESA Project Director for State Implementation of Federal Climate Legislation. The newsletter is available exclusively to state and federal government employees. Email Anna to subscribe.
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Photo Credit: Nathan Jones / NOAA
