Frequently Asked Questions about the National Clean Investment Fund (NCIF) and Climate United’s Strategy
As of August 16, 2024
Disclaimer: The information contained in these FAQs is based on our current knowledge of the program parameters. We are continually receiving updated guidance, so all information is subject to change. Thank you for your patience as we digest, translate, and disseminate new information as it becomes available.
ABOUT CLIMATE UNITED
What is the relationship between the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), National Clean Investment Fund (NCIF) and Climate United?
The Inflation Reduction Act authorized the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) to help the US reach its climate goals while simultaneously working to promote equity and environmental justice, strengthen US economic competitiveness, and grow US energy independence. The GGRF is a $27 billion investment designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, deliver important co-benefits such as lower energy costs and economic revitalization in communities that have historically been left behind. The NCIF is one of three programs under the GGRF and was created with $14 billion of the $27 billion program. Climate United was selected as one of three grantees to deliver accessible, affordable financing for clean technology projects nationwide with an award of $6.97 billion. The two other programs that are a part of the GGRF are the $6 billion Clean Communities Investment Accelerator and the $7 billion Solar for All program.
What is Climate United?
Climate United is a coalition of three national non-profits—Climate United Fund (a subsidiary of Calvert Impact), CPC Climate Capital LLC (a subsidiary of Community Preservation Corporation (CPC), and Self-Help Climate Capital, LLC (a subsidiary of Self-Help Ventures Fund) —that are complementary in their expertise and have a shared imperative to make sure that all Americans, particularly those bearing the greatest burden from the climate crisis, participate in and benefit from the movement to reduce carbon emissions. Between them, the organizations have more than 120 years of experience directly deploying more than $30 billion to address climate change and assist communities that are disproportionately affected by climate change. Climate United will leverage public resources with private capital to originate, aggregate, and securitize a suite of standardized financial products for qualified projects like energy efficiency home retrofits, electrification upgrades, electric vehicle purchases, and solar installations; make direct investments into community lenders and other financial intermediaries to drive private investment into qualified projects; and develop customized financing solutions to make critical qualified projects a reality.
Which market segments will Climate United target?
Climate United will initially provide financial assistance to qualified projects across seven market segments:
Consumers and single-family housing
Multifamily Housing
Community Infrastructure
Schools, Universities and Minority Serving Schools and Institutions
Small Businesses and Small Farms
Community Solar and Community-Based Solar, and
Electric Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure
We will be prioritizing projects from the following “priority project categories” as defined by the EPA: distributed energy generation and storage; zero emissions buildings; and zero emissions transportation.
What forms of financial assistance will Climate United provide?
Climate United will provide multiple forms of financial assistance, per the EPA’s definition, including senior and subordinate loans, loan purchases, equity investments, and credit enhancement. Climate United cannot provide grants to community lenders or Qualified Projects and will not be making forgivable loans.
What are Climate United’s investment goals as it relates to serving historically underinvested communities?
Climate United is aiming to invest 60% of its financial assistance in what the EPA has defined as Low-Income & Disadvantaged Communities (LIDAC), 20% in rural communities, and 10% in Tribal Communities.
What is the definition of a LIDAC project?
Focused on both the location of the project and the ultimate beneficiaries of the financial assistance, the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund defines low-income and disadvantaged communities as encompassing any of the following four categories, defined below:
CEJST-Identified Disadvantaged Communities:All communities identified as disadvantaged through version 1.0 of the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST), released on November 22, 2022, which includes census tracts that meet the thresholds for at least one of the tool’s categories of burden and land within the boundaries of Federally Recognized Tribes.
EJScreen-Identified Disadvantaged Communities:All communities within version 2.2 of EJScreen that fall within either (a) the limited supplemental set of census block groups that are at or above the 90th percentile for any of EJScreen’s supplemental indexes when compared to the nation or state or (b) geographic areas within Tribal lands as included in EJScreen, which includes the following Tribal lands: Alaska Native Allotments, Alaska Native Villages, American Indian Reservations, American Indian Off-reservation Trust Lands, and Oklahoma Tribal Statistical Areas.
Geographically Dispersed Low-Income Households:Low-income individuals and households living in Metropolitan Areas with incomes not more than 80% AMI or 200% FPL (whichever is higher), and low-income individuals and households living in Non-Metropolitan Areas with incomes not more than 80% AMI, 200% FPL, or 80% Statewide Non-Metropolitan Area AMI (whichever is highest). Federal Poverty Level (FPL) is defined using the latest publicly available figures from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Area Median Income (AMI) is defined using the latest publicly available figures from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Metropolitan Area and Non-Metropolitan Area are defined using the latest publicly available figures for county-level designations from the Office of Management and Budget. Statewide Non-Metropolitan Area AMI is defined using the latest publicly available figures from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s CDFI Fund, with an adjustment for household size using HUD’s Family Size Adjustment factor.
Properties Providing Affordable Housing: Properties providing affordable housing that fall within either of the following two categories: (a) multifamily housing with rents not exceeding 30% of 80% AMI for at least half of residential units and with an active affordability covenant from one of the following federal or state housing assistance programs: (1) Low-Income Housing Tax Credit; (2) a housing assistance program administered by HUD, including Public Housing, Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance, Section 202 Housing for the Elderly, Section 811 Housing for Disabled, Housing Trust Fund, Home Investment Partnership Program Affordable Rental and Homeowner Units, Permanent Supportive Housing, and other programs focused on ending homelessness that are funded under HUD’s Continuum of Care Program; (3) a housing assistance program administered by USDA under Title V of the Housing Act of 1949, including under Sections 514 and 515; or (4) a housing assistance program administered by a tribally designated housing entity, as defined in Section 4(22) of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 USC § 4103(22)) or (b) naturally-occurring (unsubsidized) affordable housing with rents not exceeding 30% of 80% AMI for at least half of residential units.
Federally Recognized Tribal Entities: All Federally Recognized Tribal entities, which are considered disadvantaged regardless of whether a Federally Recognized Tribe has land, consistent with M-23-09 and CEJST.
Will a qualified project that falls under more than one of these investment goals be more attractive to Climate United?
Climate United is looking to optimize its impact across all categories and consideration will be given to both depth and breadth of impact. In addition to our investment goals, Climate United is seeking to support projects that lead to the following outcomes (1) a healthier planet and population, (2) an American-built green economy, (3) expanded economic opportunity, and (4) inclusive and transformed capital markets.
Are these investment target priorities tracked by dollar amount, number of projects, or others?
Climate United will track its progress in meeting its investment target goals based on the deployed dollar amount of financial assistance in that priority investment area.
How quickly does Climate United plan to deploy its capital?
Climate United will aim to begin deploying capital as soon as possible now that funds have been awarded. While Climate United expects to deploy a portion of the funds in Q3/Q4 2024, our programs and investment platform will not be fully operational until Q1 2025.
Who is on Climate United Fund’s Board of Directors and Advisory Council?
The Board of Directors and Advisory Council are comprised of professionals with a wide range of expertise to support and strengthen Climate United’s ambitious mission, including experts in clean energy, community and economic development, sustainable finance, civil rights, economic justice, and movement-building. A full list can be found here.
I wasn’t part of Climate United’s initial application to the EPA. Is it too late for me to become a transaction partner of Climate United?
No; we continue to welcome new partners of all kinds, including new transaction partners. All partners will be subject to the same product terms, requirements, and due diligence process regardless of whether they provided a letter of support for the Climate United application. If you are interested in collaborating with Climate United, please fill out this intake form here and we will be in touch.
Where can I sign up for Climate United updates? Do I need to follow each individual organization for email updates?
Please join our email newsletter here. The newsletter features consolidated information from Climate United Fund, CPC Climate Capital, and Self-Help Climate Capital, although we welcome you to follow all of our individual organizational newsletters and websites as well.
Climate United: www.weareclimateunited.org
Self-Help: https://www.self-helpfcu.org/what-we-do/we-lend/for-the-environment/climate-united
CPC: https://communityp.com/products-services/sustainability/climate-capital/
ABOUT THE GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION FUND
What kinds of projects are eligible for financial assistance?
Climate United will fund projects that meet the EPA-defined Qualified Project criteria (“Qualified Projects”). These criteria are:
Would reduce or avoid greenhouse gas emissions;
Would reduce or avoid emissions of other air pollutants;
Would deliver additional benefits within one or more of the following seven categories:
climate change;
clean energy and energy efficiency;
clean transportation;
affordable and sustainable housing;
training and workforce development;
remediation and reduction of legacy pollution;
development of clean water infrastructure;
May not have otherwise been financed;
Would mobilize private capital; and
Would support only commercial technologies.
What is considered commercial technology?
Commercial technology is defined as “technologies that have been deployed for commercial purposes at least three times for a period of at least five years each in the United States for the same general purpose as the project, activity, or technology”. The “commercial technology” requirement in the definition of qualified projects applies to classes of technologies (e.g. heat pump) rather than an individual equipment manufacturer (e.g. a specific brand/model of heat pump). For example, financing heat pumps for heating and cooling would meet the commercial technology requirement because heat pumps have been deployed for commercial purposes at least three times for a period of at least five years each in the United States for the same general purpose (heating and cooling). A new heat pump brand/model would therefore meet the “commercial technology” requirement, even if it is a new original equipment manufacturer product.
Does each deal need to augment Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) funds with private funds?
Yes; each project financed by Climate United will require some level of private capital to meet the Qualified Project criteria. However, the amount of private capital will vary by project type, market segment, location, and financing structure. Private capital can be at the project level, community lender level, fund level, or through the sale of loans to private investors. There is no prescribed matching ratio in the program.
Will there be a standardized “but for” test to determine if the project meets criteria for “may not have otherwise been financed?” How will you determine if the project is not otherwise financeable?
There is not a standardized “but for” test prescribed by the grant. Climate United will evaluate this criterion on a case-by-case basis and subject to guidance from EPA as part of its due diligence process to make sure that we are meeting this criteria without creating a process that is overly burdensome for borrowers. In general, Climate United will observe current private market practices to determine if assets or borrowers of a similar size, type, and/or risk profile are accessing affordable capital. We will seek to understand how market conditions such as pricing, underwriting criteria or credit limits constrain investments in qualified projects.
What are the priority project categories for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund?
The EPA has identified three priority project categories for the GGRF: distributed energy generation and storage, building decarbonization, and electric transportation. Here are the definitions of these priority project categories:
Distributed Energy Generation and Storage: Projects, activities, and technologies that deploy small-scale power generation and/or storage technologies (typically from 1 kW to 10,000 kW), plus enabling infrastructure necessary for deployment of such generation and/or storage technologies. Projects, activities, and technologies within this category must support carbon pollution-free electricity, which is electrical energy produced from resources that generate no carbon emissions, consistent with the definition specified in Executive Order 14057 (Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability).
Zero Emissions Buildings: Projects, activities, and technologies that either (1) retrofit an existing building, making a substantial contribution to that building being a net-zero emissions building and as part of a plan for that building achieving net-zero emissions over time, or (2) construct a new net-zero emissions building in a Low-Income and Disadvantaged Community. A zero emissions building is a building that meets the requirements of Version 1 of the National Definition for a Zero Emissions Building (June 2024).
Zero Emissions Transportation: Projects, activities, and technologies that deploy zero-emissions transportation modes, plus enabling infrastructure necessary for zero-emissions transportation modes—especially in communities that are overburdened by existing diesel pollution, particulate matter concentration, and degraded air quality. Projects, activities, and technologies within this category must be consistent with the zero-emissions transportation decarbonization strategies in The U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization.
Will projects be required to fall into one of the three priority project categories?
To be eligible for financial assistance through the NCIF, the project does not need to be in a priority project category, however Climate United is prioritizing projects in the priority project categories. However, all projects MUST meet the following six standards of qualified projects:
Would reduce or avoid greenhouse gas emissions;
Would reduce or avoid emissions of other air pollutants;
Would deliver additional benefits within one or more of the following seven categories:
climate change;
clean energy and energy efficiency;
clean transportation;
affordable and sustainable housing;
training and workforce development;
remediation and reduction of legacy pollution;
development of clean water infrastructure;
May not have otherwise been financed;
Would mobilize private capital; and
Would support only commercial technologies.
Does decarbonization of agriculture and/or food systems fall into any of the priority project categories?
It is not in the EPA priority project categories, but we believe there is potential for qualified (eligible) projects in this area. Climate United expects to begin developing financing strategies to support agriculture and food systems in 2025.
Does Climate United fund international projects?
No; Climate United must deploy all of its financial assistance within the United States, including all 50 states, the District of Columbia, US Territories, and Tribal communities. Climate United can fund US projects owned by foreign developers with some exceptions.
CLIMATE UNITED FINANCIAL PRODUCTS
Which of three organizations that are part of Climate United should I reach out to learn more if I have a project that needs financing?
In general, each organization is focused on the following market segments:
CPC Climate Capital: Greening multifamily housing
Self-Help Climate Capital: Greening single-family housing; residential solar; electric passenger vehicles (EVs); solar and greening of community facilities
Climate United Fund (Calvert Impact): Greening and electrifying businesses and commercial buildings, schools and community-supporting institutions; community and C&I solar; electric buses and trucks; all other non-residential qualified projects
If you are unclear on where to start, please fill out our intake form and we’ll gladly point you in the right direction.
Will Climate United use the same loan terms for every selected project?
Climate United looks forward to collaborating with a diverse range of projects and community lenders. While most of our portfolio will be standardized products deployed for ease of resale on the secondary market, Climate United will also tailor loan terms and financing structures to meet the needs of communities and transaction partners.
What is the target interest rate that Climate United Fund, Self-Help Climate Capital, and CPC Climate Capital will lend to projects at?
All three of these entities are working to make green solutions more affordable and accessible to more people. Across our suite of products, interest rates will vary by market segment and whether a project serves Low-Income and Disadvantaged Communities. It is anticipated that interest rates will be below market for the associated risk profile and enable many historically excluded people, communities, and projects to benefit from this financing. More details will be provided as individual products are rolled out.
What is the average project size Climate United is looking to support? Is there a minimum or maximum?
The average project size will vary considerably across Climate United’s suite of products:
Self-Help Climate Capital will purchase a standardized suite of products that include green mortgages, residential solar loans and leases, loans and leases for new and used electric vehicles. Each product type will have minimum and maximums based on the typical size of consumer financing needs.
CPC Climate Capital will provide a direct subordinate loan and purchase standardized subordinate permanent loans for multifamily residential properties.
Climate United Fund does not have specific minimums, maximums, or averages in mind. That said, Climate United Fund envisions encouraging single and smaller projects of less than $25 million to access capital through community lenders who in turn will be recipients of Climate United financial assistance. Larger projects, aggregated pools of projects, and community lenders are more likely to be direct recipients of financial assistance to allow us to reach communities across the country efficiently.
How does Climate United determine the amount of investment and the terms for each project?
Climate United’s standard product offerings will have a uniform set of underwriting criteria with associated investment terms. For Climate United’s more tailored or structured investments, we will conduct a robust due diligence process that considers a variety of factors including financial risk, source of repayment, project impact, and resource availability to determine the investment sizes and terms for each financing.
Will you make any grants directly to projects or will there be forgivable loan products?
No; the purpose of the National Clean Investment Fund was to establish sustainable and revolving clean financing institutions to meet the country’s 2050 zero emissions goals. Climate United will be deploying various financial products such as loans, guarantees, or loan purchases to make investments in qualified projects. Climate United is required to manage a sustainable portfolio over time, as such, Climate United is not currently planning to structure products with loan forgiveness. Climate United will have some grant programs to support market building and predevelopment activities, but they will represent a very small portion of the overall Climate United budget.
What are the technical requirements for buildings to qualify for your standard financial products?
Buildings retrofits must reach one of the following performance standards:
Save a Ton: Finances a substantial reduction of GHG in existing buildings to make significant progress towards net-zero emissions (i.e., modeled 20% reduction in whole building energy consumption OR 1 ton carbon reduction per unit annually).
Clean Air (primarily multifamily): Finances a substantial reduction of GHG in existing buildings (i.e. modeled a 35% reduction in whole building energy consumption OR Certified Energy Star Score of 75 or higher, if applicable) and elimination of all on-site carbon emissions.
Clean Air Boost (primarily multifamily): Finances the greatest reduction of GHG under the Retrofit standards. Requires a modeled 35% energy reduction OR certified Energy Star score of 75 or higher AND eliminates all on-site carbon emissions AND is powered solely by renewable energy.
New construction must meet the following performance standards:
Clean Air (primarily single-family): 1) Highly energy efficient: At least 10% lower modeled energy use than the latest model energy code OR certified to the most recent effective version of the ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction program or Zero Energy Ready Homes program; AND 2) All-Electric; AND 3) Ready to be powered solely by renewable energy.
Clean Air Boost (primarily multifamily): Must meet the DOE definition of a Zero Emissions Building. Details about this definition and implementation guidelines can be found here. At least 10% lower modeled energy use than the latest model energy code; AND All-Electric AND Powered solely by renewable energy.
COMMUNITY LENDERS
What types of products will be available for community lenders?
The products Climate United will offer is dependent on final EPA guidance. Climate United expects to share more details about its products for community lenders during Q1 of 2025.
Will loans be project-specific? Or will Climate United lend to funds supporting eligible projects?
In addition to making direct project loans, Climate United anticipates using a variety of structures to support intermediaries investing in qualified projects including balance sheet loans, loan participations, loan purchases and separately managed account relationships. It is unlikely that Climate United will invest as a limited partner in funds before Q2 2025.
Will money to CDFIs or Green Banks for their lending come from the National Clean Investment Fund awardees (like Climate United), the Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA) or both?
CDFIs and Green Banks can access capital through each program or both, although it should be noted that the two programs have different definitions for eligible projects. As a recipient of a grant from the NCIF, Climate United will provide financial assistance, such as loan capital for qualified projects, to community lenders. Climate United did not apply for a CCIA grant but is excited to partner with many CCIA awardees to streamline opportunities and reporting requirements for community lenders. A list of all CCIA grantees can be found here.
Does receiving an investment from the National Clean Investment Fund count toward the $10M cap in capital that community lenders can receive under the Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA)?
No; while the programs have a lot of similarities, each program has its unique set of criteria. You can still receive an investment from the National Clean Investment Fund after you’ve received a full $10M capitalization grant and a $1M technical assistance grant from one of the five CCIA awardees administering a Clean Communities Investment Accelerator program. In fact, we hope that, as community lenders need additional capital beyond their CCIA funds, the National Clean Investment Fund can support their continued growth in green lending.
PROGRAM COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS
When do Davis Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA) apply to financial assistance provided by Climate United?
DBRA requires payment and reporting of prevailing wages on federally funded or assisted construction projects of more than $2,000. Climate United continues to work with the federal government to understand DBRA applicability for the types of Qualified Projects in our investment strategy.
Ultimately, DBRA applicability is a factor of both purpose and timing.
Currently, it is Climate United’s understanding that DBRA will apply to all loans or loan guarantees for construction projects (whether directly originated by Climate United or a community lender using financial assistance from Climate United to originate the loan); loan participation/syndicated agreement for construction projects; rebates for construction projects; equity investments into construction projects; purchases of construction loans for projects that have not commenced or are in-process on the date the documentation governing the transaction was executed.
It is Climate United’s current understanding that DBRA would not apply to financial assistance provided to a qualified project after construction has been completed.
If you have questions about whether or not financial assistance for your project would require DBRA compliance, please contact us for more information.
What requirements around Build America Buy America (BABA) should community lenders and transaction partners expect?
BABA applies to all “public infrastructure” projects funded by federal financial assistance. EPA interprets the definition of public infrastructure consistent with OMB guidance in 2 CFR 184 and M-24-02, including the “public function” test, when determining whether projects qualify as public infrastructure. Public infrastructure can include residential projects that serve a public function and privately owned commercial buildings that meet the public function test.
BABA requires that all iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used on projects deemed “public infrastructure” must be produced in the United States. Climate United continues to work with the federal government to understand BABA applicability.
Currently, it is Climate United’s understanding that the following types of projects would be considered public infrastructure: residential-serving community solar; publicly accessible EV charging stations; publicly accessible community centers and roadways on multifamily properties; publicly owned energy generation and/or storage transportation; publicly owned transportation facilities; privately-owned mixed-used use property that has a publicly accessible community center, or EV charging station.
Currently, it is Climate United’s understanding that the following types of projects are not considered public infrastructure: privately-owned vehicles for private use, single family homes, privately-owned multi-family homes that are not mixed use and have no publicly accessible retail or commercial facilities; privately owned manufacturing, industrial facilities, or office buildings; EV charging stations installed at private homes or privately-owned manufacturing or industrial facilities that have no public accessibility.
The following types of projects are case specific, based on whether public accommodation or public function: privately-owned retail establishments, privately-owned energy generation and/or storage facilities, privately-owned transportation facilities, publicly owned vehicles, and privately-owned multifamily homes with a source of government subsidy.
There is a BABA waiver process if domestically produced technologies or manufactured products are not available in the US or would increase total project costs by more than 25%. We are awaiting further guidance from the EPA regarding the waiver process and do not currently have clarity on the process or timeline of any applicable waivers.
For more information, please see resources below:
Do statutory requirements apply to private capital on projects?
Yes; statutory requirements will apply to the entire project that receives GGRF grant funds, including portions financed by private capital. However, later stages of investment that are financed completely separately will not be subject to those statutory requirements. For example, if the GGRF is providing 20% of the capital for a construction project, all the associated construction on the site is subject to DBRA. However, if GGRF is paying for early-stage predevelopment cost, if the project development continues into construction stage through later stage private investment, this construction is not subject to DBRA since federal funds did not finance the construction.
What are flow down requirements and how might they apply to this program?
In the context of the NCIF, a loan to a financial intermediary or community lender (i.e., a balance sheet loan) is considered a Subaward to a Subrecipient (i.e., the borrowing entity). An award provided by a pass-through entity to a subrecipient to carry out part of a federal award received by the pass-through entity is subject to flow down requirements, which means that some requirements of the grant recipient (Climate United Fund) are also required of our subrecipients. As described in 2 CFR 200.101, the terms and conditions of Federal awards flow down to our subawards unless notated otherwise. This means our subrecipients (of more than $750,000 of federal funds) would be subject to an A-133 Single Audit and annual review. Loans over $10M would make the subrecipient subject to organizational and ongoing disclosures.
What kind of platform will Climate United use for reporting? When will it be available?
Details are forthcoming, but Climate United is seeking to develop a reporting platform that will limit the administrative burden on partners while providing robust data for program management and reporting, transparency, and impact analysis.
MARKET BUILDING AND PREDEVELOPMENT
What is market building?
Market building activities include activities to generate demand for qualified projects including (but not limited to) marketing, customer education and engagement, community outreach, contractor engagement, workforce development, and other non-financial market building activities. Also, activities to build a more supportive financial market for financing qualified projects, including standardization of documentation, development of new financial products, and other financial market building activities.
How does Climate United intend to help educate entities without extensive experience with financing (ex: School Districts) on the need and suitability of financing for the adoption of clean technologies?
Climate United’s strategy seeks to transform the markets through both building the demand side of the market and the capital supply side of the market and bringing both together. Climate United will work to develop financing models that can be replicated across different sectors and locations, including in places and sectors that have had less historical access to private capital. By lifting up examples of successful qualified projects and financing structures, Climate United anticipates not only building demand for these important financial products, but also creating pools of similar assets to create pathways to standardization for secondary market development over time. For projects not ready for financing or that cannot support investment, Climate United will make referrals where possible to other programs, incentives, and resources to support alternative pathways for communities to access the capital they need.
How will Climate United support needs for predevelopment funding for qualified projects in communities?
Climate United plans to launch a competitive request for proposal (RFP) to make predevelopment grants for qualified project development in low-income and disadvantaged communities. Climate United anticipates making 25-40 grant awards of $100-300k each annually. The initial award cycle is expected to launch in Q4 2024 and applications will be accepted quarterly on a rolling basis. We also be providing financial assistance to support pre-development activities when it is possible to include predevelopment in the financial package.
How is Climate United thinking about supporting green jobs and workforce development?
Climate United sees immense opportunity to help generate high quality jobs with a diverse, skilled workforce through setting policies, priorities, and enforcing standards on projects that use our capital. Specifically, Climate United is looking to do the following:
Support job opportunity pathways that will build workplace equity and fair play in a greening economy.
Finance projects that utilize workforce industry standards and best practices, workforce programs, contractor relationships with labor unions, and manufacturing programs.
Develop and implement standardized criteria to evaluate labor practices on all projects.
Broadly collaborate with industry partners to grow capacity and educate stakeholders across the clean energy spectrum.
How will Climate United work with technical assistance contractors?
Climate United is planning an RFP to solicit technical assistance contractors who can work with potential recipients of Climate United financial assistance.
How do I learn about programs and contracting opportunities with Climate United?
We are committed to ensuring all contracting is done in compliance with federal procurement regulations and standards. All competitive RFPs will be posted on our website at www.WeAreClimateUnited.org and will include the scope of work and timeline for application and review. Immediately before or during any live request for proposals, we will not be able to answer direct questions from potential or future applicants. Each proposal process will have a mechanism to submit questions or comments for clarification, which will be described in detail in the solicitation.
