By Sam Lipman | ICAST Director of Solar Programs Mr. Lipman is responsible for the development of shared solar projects, thus furthering ICAST’s work to help underserved communities benefit from clean energy solutions. While solar PV generation in the U.S. has grown dramatically, this growth has not translated into significant access for low- and moderate-income (LMI) communities. Compared to the broader …
February 2025 Policy Blog
Kristen Cheriegate | ICAST Policy Manager ========== Federal Pause Issued on Clean Energy Funding On Monday, January 20, President Trump issued an Executive Order that paused all disbursement of any funds related to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The executive order, “Unleashing American Energy,” …
January 2025 Policy Blog
Kristen Cheriegate | ICAST Policy Manager ========== Maine Files Energy Storage Procurement Recommendations The Maine Governors Energy Office (GEO) was directed by the state legislature to consult with the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to evaluate the increase of capacity for utility-scale energy storage systems. The states policy sets a goal to procure cost-effective energy storage and diversify its energy resources. …
December 2024 Policy Blog
Kristen Cheriegate | ICAST Policy Manager ========== Virginia Announced Launch of Clean Energy Innovation Bank The Virginia Department of Energy has announced the launch of the Virginia Clean Energy Innovation Bank (VCEIB) after similar legislation was vetoed earlier this year. As a green bank, VCEIB will mobilize public and private capital to bridge the gaps in clean energy financing in …
November 2024 Policy Blog
Kristen Cheriegate | ICAST Policy Manager ========== California Launches Home Energy Rebate Program The U.S. Department of Energy announced California has launched program activities under the federal Home Energy Rebates Program, with $300 million in funding, supported by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The Home Energy Rebates program is part of the High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Act (HEEHRA) passed as …
October 2024 Policy Blog
Kristen Cheriegate | ICAST Policy Manager ========== States Launch Home Energy Rebates Program The Department of Energy (DOE) announced that Arizona, New Mexico, Maine, and Rhode Island have launched their Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) programs. New Mexico: NM’s HEAR will provide low-income single-family homeowners and low- and middle-income renters up to $14,000 in rebates to upgrade equipment and appliances. …
September 2024 Policy Blog
Kristen Cheriegate | ICAST Policy Manager ========== Xcel Energy’s Clean Heat Plan for Colorado Moving Forward Colorado’s largest investor-owned utility, Xcel Energy, should soon receive a written order from the state’s Public Utilities Commission to finalize and implement its “2024-2028 Clean Heat Plan.” The plan directs more than $440 million over the next three years towards electrification and energy efficiency, …
August 2024 Policy Blog
Kristen Cheriegate | ICAST Policy Manager ========== EPA Announces Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program Awards The Biden-Harris administration recently announced the award of $4.3 billion in implementation grants under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)-funded Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program. The 25 selected applications will fund projects in 30 states including one Tribe. Eight of the selected applications were submitted …
Building Decarb Update: Some Highlights at the Federal Level
In June, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced its National Definition of a Zero Emissions Building. It was finalized after receiving feedback from industry, academia, research laboratories, government agencies, and other stakeholders. Part 1 of the Definition (Operational Emissions from Energy Use) sets criteria for a building with zero emissions from energy used for building operations. It applies to …
July 2024 Policy Blog
Kristen Cheriegate | ICAST Policy Analyst ========== Study Shows States How to Maximize Federal Funding The American Council for an Energy-Efficient, the AnnDyl Policy Group, and the Building Performance Association have released a new paper identifying strategies that policymakers, efficiency program administrators, and other decision-makers can use to support home energy efficiency upgrades by braiding and stacking new federal funds …