Open Grant Funding Opportunities Webinar
May 5, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. CDT: Register here.
May 6, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. CDT: Register here.
Webinar Slides
December 2 Illinois Climate Bank - U.S. EPA Solar for All Kickoff
For future Solar for All Updates, please visit this page: https://www.il-fa.com/programs/sfa
The Illinois Climate Bank has been awarded $156,000,000 in the Solar for All competition, based on a proposal to create a set of Illinois Solar for All Expansion programs. The Illinois Climate Bank will use the State’s US EPA Solar for All award to create Solar for All Expansion Programs that extend, expand, and complement Illinois’ existing ratepayer-funded Illinois Solar for All and Illinois Shines programs and CEJA-created workforce development programs. All of these programs will focus on providing benefits to low-income households, disadvantaged communities, underserved small- and mid-sized businesses, and projects that build community wealth by creating ownership opportunities.
Illinois Climate Bank Launches Pre-Application Process for Grid Resilience Grants
More information here: Grid Resilience Grants
On May 21, 2024, IFA/Climate Bank hosted a webinar to review the notice of funding opportunity and answer questions for interested stakeholders.
GATA Application Webinar Slides
May 9 2024 Green Drives Conference & Expo
0405/09/2024 Green Drives Presentation
April 24 2024 Stakeholder Engagement Session - Solar for All
04/24/24 Listening Session Recording
04/24/24 Listening Session Presentation
04/24/24 Listening Session Minutes
April 05 2024 Stakeholder Engagement Session - National Clean Investment Fund
04/05/24 Listening Session Recording
04/05/24 Listening Session Presentation
Climate Bank Working Presentation
Climate Bank Accomplishments to Date
In 2022-2023, IFA/Climate Bank:
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Mobilized approximately $627 million in private capital for climate finance projects
- $361 million for public water quality infrastructure through State Revolving Fund in close working partnership with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA)
- $150 million for solid waste management bonds
- $32 million for Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) projects
- 54% of these investments, funded by private capital, were made in or benefit disadvantaged communities. (preliminary/unaudited – March 10, 2023)
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Submitted/participated in nine federal funding applications and awards.
- Has won $60 million in federal funding awards to date
- Was designated as a State Energy Financial Institution (SEFI).
- Held nine public stakeholder engagement sessions in connection with federal funding
GRID RESILIENCE REQUEST FOR INFORMATION CLOSED
Responses were due February 16, 2024. Request for Proposals will open in early May 2024.
January 31 2024 Stakeholder Engagement Session
01/31/24 Listening Session Recording (Password AjmBVn$6)
01/31/24 Listening Session Presentations
IEPA & IFA/Climate Bank Joint Presentation
IEPA & IFA/Climate Bank Joint Presentation - October 2, 2023
Public Ideas Workshop - Friday, March 17, 2023
The Illinois Finance Authority / Illinois Climate Bank held its second public Ideas Workshop on March 17, 2023 from 10 am - 12 pm, focused on equitable climate finance. The Illinois Finance Authority / Illinois Climate Bank, on behalf of the State of Illinois, is developing new clean energy finance tools to support the State's equitable transition to a clean energy economy. This initial session focused on the development of a revolving loan fund for energy efficiency retrofits and business support. Stakeholders gave 5-minute presentations of their idea for a finance solution that can specifically target a market gap in the development of new energy efficiency, building electrification, or behind-the-meter renewable energy in disadvantaged communities and/or delivered by diverse contractors. If you have an idea to present related to climate & equitable finance, please reach out to Andrew Barbeau at the following email address: andrew@theaccelerategroup.com.
Section 40101(d) - Grid Resilience Programs
Under Section 40101(d) of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the U.S. Department of Energy is providing funds to States to create new grants programs focused on improving the resilience of their electric grids. The Illinois Finance Authority, in its new role as the Illinois Climate Bank, will be responsible for distributing these grants in Illinois with a focus on targeting innovative approaches and funding gaps to improve reliability and resilience, particularly in disadvantaged communities that are least able to respond to power outages. The State will be receiving $8 million/year for the next five years to invest in projects. Funds can be used for a variety of investments, including for microgrids, weatherization, and automation. The State will be submitting its application to the U.S. Department of Energy in March 2023, with funds expected to be available in late 2023.
Materials:
- Public Notice of Hearings Regarding the “Preventing Outages and Enhancing the Resilience of the Electric Grid” Program-March 14, 2023 10:30 am (CST) – in-person and remote; 6:00 pm (CST) – REMOTE only
- March 7, 2023 DOE Section 40101(d) Grid Resilience Public Ideas Workshop
FEDERAL Section 134 of the Inflation reduction Act of 2022 - Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Programs
Engaging the Public to Shape the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
The first-of-its-kind program will provide competitive grants to mobilize financing for clean energy and climate projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Agency Listening Sessions
09/14/23 Listening Session Minutes
09/08/23 Listening Session Minutes
09/08/23 Listening Session Recording
11/10/22 Listening Session Recording
Listening Session Material
11/10/22 Listening Session Minutes
11/17/22 Listening Session Recording
11/17/22 Listening Session Minutes
USEPA GGRF Website
The following information is posted on the GGRF website:
- EPA Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
- EPA Announces Initial Program Design of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
- US EPA EFAB Submission Jan3 2023 with work product and public comment
General Background from USEPA:
"The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund is an unprecedented opportunity to accelerate the adoption of greenhouse gas reducing technologies and position the United States to compete and win the 21st century economy.” --EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan.
The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund provides $27 billion to EPA for expenditure until September 30, 2024. This includes:
$7 billion for competitive grants to enable low-income and disadvantaged communities to deploy or benefit from zero-emission technologies, including distributed technologies on residential rooftops;
Nearly $12 billion for competitive grants to eligible entities to provide financial and technical assistance to projects that reduce or avoid greenhouse gas emissions; and
$8 billion for competitive grants to eligible entities to provide financial and technical assistance to projects that reduce or avoid greenhouse gas emissions in low-income and disadvantaged communities.
EPA is launching a coordinated stakeholder engagement strategy to help shape the implementation of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and ensure the full economic and environmental benefits of this historic investment are realized by all Americans.”
State Small Business Climate Initiative
Climate Bank Finance
The Small Business Loan Program of the Illinois Finance Authority
- Note that all SSBCI-supported funding provided the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Illinois Finance Authority may only be used to support the start-up or expansion of businesses physically located in Illinois.
- Borrowers do not apply directly to DCEO or IFA. All requests for SSBCI-funded assistance must be presented through a bank or other financial institution formally enrolled at DCEO and/or IFA.
- Grants are not available under SSBCI capital programs.
- As Illinois’ officially designated “Climate Bank”, IFA will be exclusively focusing on providing its SSBCI-supported financing for the start-up and/or expansion of ventures directly involving environmentally-supportive, “green” businesses, including those that address the adverse impacts of climate change.
Such projects include, but are not limited to;
- clean air/water projects and wastewater treatment
- production/installation of wind, hydro, or solar power equipment
- clean energy generation/alternative fuels, new battery technologies
- production/installation/servicing of electric vehicles and charging stations
- energy conservation
- bio-material production
- sustainable agricultural practices, etc.
LENDERS: If you are interested in becoming a Participating Lender, please complete the REQUEST TO BECOME A LENDER form and send back to Maria Colangelo at mcolangelo@il-fa.com. Please be sure to include a completed and signed Form W-9 and IRS 147-C Letter.
If your planned request for SSBCI-supported financing is for an activity other than those climate change/environmentally green examples listed above, your request for program information should, instead, be directed to The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, through its website, https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/Pages/default.aspx
To visit the IFA State Small Business Climate Initiative page CLICK HERE.