Climate United issues statements on the formal launch of National Clean Investment Fund selection process

    BETHESDA, MD, July 14, 2023 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Leaders of Climate United, a consortium of three leading organizations investing in clean energy and disadvantaged communities, today issued statements on the Environmental Protection Agency's release of the Notices of Funding Opportunities related to the $14 billion National Clean Investment Fund. The three non-profit firms—Calvert Impact, the Community Preservation Corporation and Self-Help—along with a growing list of deployment and implementation partners, have joined forces to compete for the mandate to manage part of the fund.

"It's truly exciting to see this transformational initiative for building stronger and greener communities across America get underway with the EPA's release of the formal application," said Jenn Pryce, CEO of Calvert Impact. "Maximizing these Federal funds and leveraging them with private capital is a big undertaking and that's why we've assembled a group with an unmatched track record of scaling sustainable, community-based investments. We're ready to get to work."

We are excited to be part of the Climate United team seeking funding under the EPA's National Clean Investment Fund," said Rafael E. Cestero, CEO of the Community Preservation Corporation. "As our country moves towards a greener and more sustainable future, we must ensure that all Americans have the opportunity to benefit from a clean energy economy. This historic investment of federal funding will set the bar for how government can partner with private industry to decarbonize our housing stock, especially in affordable housing in communities that too often shoulder the impacts of climate change."

"We are energized by this unprecedented opportunity and responsibility to bring the benefits of a low-carbon transition to households and communities facing higher energy burdens and disproportionate risk from climate change," said Crystal German, President of the Center for Community Self-Help. "We are eager to work with our Climate United partners and a range of market actors to leverage private capital and deliver financing at scale to households, small businesses, communities, and community lenders. Our aim is to ensure that families and communities of modest means can access the cost savings, environmental and health benefits offered by clean energy projects."

Applicants are being asked to submit a program vision, direct investment strategy, organizational plan, among many other requirements. Responses to the NOFOs are due Oct. 12 and awardees are expected to be notified in March 2024.

About Climate United

Climate United is a partnership of three non-profits—Calvert Impact, the Community Preservation Corporation (CPC) and Self-Help—that are complementary in their expertise and like-minded about the 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. Climate United will receive origination and strategic support from HASI, a leading climate positive investment firm. Between them, the organizations have directly deployed more than $40 billion addressing climate change or assisting communities that are disproportionately affected by climate change. The core partners will be joined by multiple deployment and implementation partners to assist with management and mobilization of the $14 billion National Clean Investment Fund established by the federal government as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. For more information, please visit www.climateunitedfund.org.

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