THE WHITE HOUSE
Federal agencies are required to develop, implement, and annually update a Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan that prioritizes agency actions based on life-cycle return on investment. Between fiscal years 2011 and 2021, each plan shall: Include a policy statement committing the agency to comply with environmental and energy statutes, regulations, and executive orders.; Achieve established sustainability goals and targets, including greenhouse gas reduction targets.; Be integrated within each agency's strategic planning and budgeting process.; Identify agency activities, policies, plans, procedures, and practices relevant to the implementation of E.O. 13514 and, where necessary, provide for development and implementation of new or revised policies, plans, procedures, and practices.; Identify specific agency goals, schedules, milestones, and approaches for achieving results and quantifiable metrics required by E.O. 13514.; Outline planned actions to provide information about agency progress, performance, and results on a publicly available Federal Web site.; Incorporate actions for achieving progress metrics identified by the CEQ Chair and OMB Director.; Evaluate agency climate change risks and vulnerabilities to manage the effects of climate change on the agency's operations and mission in both the short and long term.; Consider environmental measures as well as economic benefits, social benefits, and costs in evaluating projects and activities based on life-cycle return on investment.; Annually identify opportunities for improvement and evaluate past performance to extend or expand projects that have net benefits as well as reassess or discontinue under-performing projects.
On October 14, 2010, the Climate Change Adaptation Task Force, co-chaired by the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), released its interagency report outlining recommendations to President Obama for how Federal Agency policies and programs can better prepare the United States to respond to the impacts of climate change.
The President’s Better Buildings Initiative will make commercial buildings 20 percent more energy efficient over the next decade by catalyzing private sector investment through a series of incentives to upgrade offices, stores, schools and other municipal buildings, universities, hospitals, and other commercial buildings.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development
The Energy and Mineral Development Program (EMDP) provides funding to Indian tribes with the mission goal of assessing, evaluating, and promoting energy and mineral resources on Indian trust lands for the economic benefit of Indian mineral owners.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Development
Rural Energy Grants and Loans (REAP)
Provides grants for energy audits and renewable development assistance.
Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels
To support and ensure an expanding production of Advanced Biofuels by providing payments to eligible Biofuel producers in rural areas.
Biorefinary Assistance Program
Assists in the development of new and emerging technologies for the development of advanced biofuels so as to: Increase energy independence of the United States; Promote resource conservation, public health and the environment; Diversify markets for agricultural and forestry products and agricultural waste material; and Create jobs and enhance the economic development of the rural economy.
U.S. FOREST SERVICE
Grant program designed to encourage biorefineries to use bio-mass as a replacement fuel source for fossil fuels used to provide process heat or power in the operation of these eligible biorefineries.
Rural Development Program
The REDLG program provides funding to rural projects through local utility organizations. Under the REDLoan program, USDA provides zero interest loans to local utilities which they, in turn, pass through to local businesses (ultimate recipients) for projects that will create and retain employment in rural areas. The ultimate recipients repay the lending utility directly. The utility is responsible for repayment to the Agency. Under the REDGrant program, USDA provides grant funds to local utility organizations which use the funding to establish revolving loan funds. Loans are made from the revolving loan fund to projects that will create or retain rural jobs. When the revolving loan fund is terminated, the grant is repaid to the Agency.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Healthy Homes Production Program
This program supports projects that identify and correct significant housing-related health and safety hazards in privately owned, low-income rental or owner occupied housing. HUD is especially interested in projects that integrate healthy homes practices into existing housing rehabilitation, property maintenance, weatherization, energy efficiency improvements, and other housing improvement programs. Native American Tribes are eligible.
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
EPA is encouraging renewable energy development on current and formerly contaminated land and mine sites when it is aligned with the community’s vision for the site. This initiative identifies the renewable energy potential of these sites and provides other useful resources for communities, developers, industry, state and local governments or anyone interested in reusing these sites for renewable energy development.
Brownfields are real property contaminated or potentially contaminated by hazardous substances, pollutants, contaminants, petroleum, controlled substances or is mine-scarred land.
PA’s Clean Energy Programs are designed to help energy consumers in all sectors, state policy makers and energy providers improve their knowledge about Clean Energy technology and policy options by providing objective information, creating networks between the public and private sector and providing technical assistance. EPA also offers recognition to leading organizations that adopt Clean Energy policies and practices.
The Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that supports the organizational procurement of green power by offering expert advice, technical support, tools and resources. Partnering with EPA can help your organization lower the transaction costs of buying green power, reduce its carbon footprint, and communicate its leadership to key stakeholders. Green power is electricity produced from a subset of renewable resources, such as solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, and low-impact hydro. Buying green power is one of the easiest and most effective ways to improve your organization’s environmental performance.
Climate Communities Showcase Grants
EPA is working with 21 local and tribal governments in establishing and implementing climate change initiatives, including the advancement of energy efficiency programs and policies.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economic Development Administration
EDA generally allocates funds for the GCCMIF to support projects that foster economic competitiveness while enhancing environmental quality. EDA anticipates that these funds will be used to advance the green economy by supporting projects that create jobs through and increase private capital investment in initiatives to limit the nation’s dependence on fossil fuels, enhance energy efficiency, curb greenhouse gas emissions, and protect natural systems. GCCMIF assistance is available to finance a variety of sustainability focused projects, including renewable energy end-products, the greening of existing manufacturing functions or processes, and the creation of certified green facilities. Indian tribes and consortia of Indian tribes are eligible.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
The purpose of these green job training grants is to teach workers the skills required in emerging energy efficiency and renewable energy industries.
Projects will provide training and placement services in the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries for workers impacted by national energy and environmental policy, individuals in need of updated training related to the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries, and unemployed workers. Proposed projects must be developed and implemented through strategic partnerships.
Career pathway programs are clear sequences of coursework and credentials that help individuals of varying skill levels earn credentials valued by employers, enter rewarding careers in demand and emerging industries and occupations, and advance to increasingly higher levels of education and employment.
U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Pollution Control loans offered through the SBA are 7(a) loans specifically designated to aid businesses that are reducing their environmental impact. The program provides financing to eligible small businesses for the planning, design, or installation of a pollution control facility. This facility must prevent, reduce, abate, or control any form of pollution.
U.S. INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
Office of Indian Tribal Government
A New CREB is a tax credit bond. Issuers repay principal on a regular schedule, but generally do not pay interest. Instead, the holder of a New CREB receives a federal tax credit in lieu of interest. The tax credit accrues quarterly and may be applied against the holder’s regular and alternative minimum tax liability; however, the tax credit amount is treated as taxable interest income to the holder of the New CREBs. For example, if the tax credit amount is $100 and the holder is in the 35% tax bracket, the credit provides a $65 benefit to the holder.
Residential Energy Property Credit (Section 1121): Energy tax credit for homeowners who make energy efficient improvements to their existing homes. The credit applies to improvements such as adding insulation, energy efficient exterior windows and energy-efficient heating and air conditioning systems. Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit (Section 1122): This nonrefundable energy tax credit will help individual taxpayers pay for qualified residential alternative energy equipment, such as solar hot water heaters, geothermal heat pumps and wind turbines.
Community Development Financial Institutions Fund
The CDFI Fund was created for the purpose of promoting economic revitalization and community development through investment in and assistance to community development financial institutions (CDFIs).