Webinar hosted on March 11, 2021 by the Municipal Sustainable Energy Forum

It is widely expected that significant amounts of federal funding are forthcoming, with major allocations focused on clean energy and climate resiliency. While the first round of funding proposed by the Biden Administration focused on COVID relief, the next legislative effort, the “Build Back Better” or “Reconciliation” bill, is intended include significant funding for clean energy-related infrastructure. Taking lessons learned from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, federal economic stimulus programs will be competitive. Therefore, projects that are genuinely “shovel ready” are most likely to receive funding. 

On March 11, 2021, Kevin Daehnke and Charlie Howland (both on the Center’s Board of Directors), conducted a webinar for the Municipal Sustainable Energy Forum entitled, “Getting City Clean Energy Projects “Shovel Ready” in Time for Federal Stimulus Monies”. In this webinar Mr. Daehnke and Mr. Howland provided insights on what it means to be “shovel ready” in order to access grant monies for local renewable energy projects, and how to best position projects for future federal and state grant funding. The presentation ranged from identifying “low hanging fruit” projects, to obtaining regulatory approvals, to securing private sector financing strategies. Key elements included how to:

• Prepare for the deployment of new federal resources at the local level

• Identify readily available, local “low hanging fruit” renewable energy projects

• Navigate and overcome potential regulatory impediments

• Secure site control and obtain land use, permitting, and regulatory approvals

• Identify and secure private sector financing strategies to bolster chances for federal funding

• Champion projects with resiliency, equity, and/or environmental justice focus