Illinois Climate Bank - U.S. EPA Solar for All Kickoff

On December 2, the Illinois Climate Bank will kick off its planning process to refine the design of the Solar for All Expansion Programs.  Please register here. The Kickoff Webinar will provide an overview of the Solar for All Expansion programs, an outline of the working group framework, and a description of opportunities for stakeholders to participate and provide input to program design during the planning process.

Background on U.S. EPA Solar for All

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.

Please register for the Kickoff Webinar to hear all about the programs and how you can help influence their design.

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.

Webinar Slides

GATA Application Webinar Slides

Webinar Recording

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

02/02/24 Working Deck

Climate Bank Accomplishments to Date

In 2022-2023, IFA/Climate Bank:

  • 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)
  • 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.

Workshop Material

March 17th Workshop Recording

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:

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:

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.