Bank of America commitment to energy projects

[reposted from Philanthropy News Digest] Bank of America has established a ten-year goal of providing $50 billion in loans or financing to environmentally friendly energy projects, Reuters reports.

In making the announcement, the bank also said it would reduce its energy and paper consumption by 2015 and would award $100 million in grants to organizations working to reduce carbon emissions. Bank of America is nearing the early completion of a ten-year, $20 billion goal it set in 2007 to provide loans and financing for projects focused on solar power, hybrid cars, and energy efficiency.

The nation's second-largest bank, BofA has drawn criticism in recent years for its dealings with coal companies, in particular its willingness to provide financing for companies that engage in so-called mountaintop removal mining, which has been slammed for polluting Appalachian rivers and communities. Indeed, some environmental groups and leaders remain skeptical of the bank's intentions. "This new commitment completely skirts that issue and makes no strong commitments around actually reducing the coal, the climate emissions, the fossil fuels the bank is financing," Amanda Starbuck, the director of Rainforest Action Network's energy and finance program, told Reuters.

Bank of America technology and operations executive Cathy Bessant, who chairs the bank's environmental council, told Reuters the initiatives exhibit a commitment to environmental responsibility while also serving to boost local businesses and generate revenue for itself. "For a company in a sector that is challenged for revenue growth," said Bessant, "this [is] a real opportunity to create top-line revenue and to continue to develop the financial markets for [renewable energy.]"

Rothacker, Rick. “BofA Targets $50 Billion for Energy Projects.”Reuters 6/11/12.

Funds for Initiatives to Ramp Up Alternative Fuel Markets

Department of Energy
The Clean Cities: Implementation Initiatives to Advance Alternative Fuel Markets Program provides support for activities designed to decrease the nation’s dependence on petroleum and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by accelerating the deployment of alternative fuels. Proposed activities will remedy the significant obstacles to alternative fuel vehicle adoption and use in local, regional, and/or statewide sectors and niche markets by targeting the following critical areas: policies, barrier reduction, safety and training, and market development/outreach. The application deadline is June 18, 2012.

Environmental Solutions for Communities grant

[from Philanthropy News Digest] Wells Fargo and the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation have announced Environmental Solutions for Communities, a new grant program to help communities in the United States create a more sustainable future through responsible environmental stewardship.

The program seeks to support projects that link economic development and community well-being to the stewardship and health of the environment. Collectively, investments under this initiative will promote a sustainable future for communities by supporting sustainable agricultural practices and private lands stewardship; conserving critical land and water resources and improving local water quality; restoring and managing natural habitat, species, and ecosystems that are important to community livelihoods; facilitating investments in green infrastructure, renewable energy and energy efficiency; and encouraging broad-based citizen participation in project implementation.

Priority projects include innovative cost-effective programs that enhance stewardship on private agricultural lands to improve water quality and quantity and/or enhance wildlife habitat for species of concern, while maintaining or increasing agricultural productivity; community-based conservation projects that protect and restore local habitats and natural areas, enhance water quality, promote urban forestry, educate and train community leaders on sustainable practices, promote related job creation and training, and engage diverse partners and volunteers; demonstration projects that showcase innovative, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly approaches to the improvement of environmental conditions within urban communities by greening traditional infrastructure and public projects such as storm water management and flood control, public park enhancements, and renovations to public facilities; and projects that increase the resiliency of the nation's coastal communities and ecosystems (including the Great Lakes) by restoring coastal habitats, living resources, and water quality in ways that enhance livelihoods and the quality of life in these communities.

Eligible applicants include nonprofit 501(c) organizations; state, tribal, provincial, and local governments; and educational institutions working in states and communities where Wells Fargo operates. Individuals, federal agencies, and private for-profit firms are not eligible. Projects that seek funding for political advocacy, lobbying, litigation, fundraising, or legally mandated mitigation projects are not eligible.

Grant awards typically range from $25,000 to $250,000. The ratio of matching funds offered is one criterion considered during the review process, and projects that meet or exceed a 1:1 match ratio will tend to be more competitive.

The initiative will award grants twice a year. In addition to this Request for Proposals, funding available under the partnership also will be used to leverage resources associated with other NFWF funding opportunities.

Visit the NFWF Web site for the complete RFP and application instructions.

Contact:
Link to Complete RFP

Great Lakes Restoration grants

Description

This RFA solicits applications from eligible entities for grants to be awarded pursuant to the statutory authorities referenced in the RFA and the GLRI Action Plan. Up to approximately $20 million may be awarded under this RFA for about 100 projects contingent on the quality of applications received, funding availability and other applicable considerations. Applications are requested for projects identified in the RFA within the following four GLRI focus areas:1.Toxic Substances and Areas of Concern, including reduction of toxic substances (through pollution prevention or other means) in the most polluted areas in the Great Lakes;2.Invasive Species, including efforts to institute a “zero tolerance policy” toward new invasions;3.Nearshore Health and Nonpoint Source Pollution, including a targeted geographic focus on high priority watersheds and reducing polluted runoff from urban, suburban and agricultural sources; and4.Accountability, Education, Monitoring, Evaluation, Communication and Partnerships, including climate change resiliency and strategic partnerships through Lakewide Management Plans. 

Link to Full Announcement

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Request for Applications

DEP Environmental Education grants awarded

HARRISBURG -- The Department of Environmental Protection announced today it is awarding $642,835 in environmental education grants to 147 schools, universities, non-profit organizations and conservation districts across Pennsylvania.

“These grants help build the foundation for educating communities about their environmental resources and how to protect and sustainably use them,” 

Grant recipients will use the funding for various initiatives, including environmental field trips for students, implementing environmental education curriculum at schools, purchasing new recycling containers to reduce waste, developing workshops on how to build rain barrels and planting community gardens.The grant program was established by the Environmental Education Act of 1993, which mandates setting aside five percent of the pollution fines and penalties DEP collects annually for environmental education in Pennsylvania.

For more information on environmental education, visit www.dep.state.pa.us and click “Environmental Education,” or call 717-772-1828.

Among the local winners:

Clarion County
North Clarion County School District, $2,866
Clarion University of Pennsylvania, $3,750
North Central Region Math/Science Education Collaborative, $3,750 

Crawford County
Crawford County Conservation District , $5,283*
Allegheny College, $3,750 

Erie County
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, $3,619
Northwestern School District, $3,749 
Environment Erie, $3,750
Erie City School District, $6,745 *
Erie County Conservation District, $3,750
Millcreek School Foundation, $1,924  

Warren County  
Warren County Conservation District, $3,857 

Friends capacity building grants

[from Philanthropy News Digest] The National Environmental Education Foundation, with funding from Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc., offers Every Day Grants to build the capacity of nonprofit organizations (referred to as "friends groups") working to improve and promote responsible use of public land sites in the United States.

To be eligible, applicant organizations must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or be working through an eligible fiscal agent; have been in existence for at least two years; be a community-based nonprofit whose mission is focused on serving a public land site in the U.S. and the improvement and responsible use of that site (this includes groups that serve more than one site, such as a regional group of parks); and have an established collaborative relationship with a local public land site (including federal, state, regional, county, city, or other local public land areas) for at least one year.

Successful applications will describe a needed and well-planned project that can be carried out by the applicant and is replicable; demonstrate that the project will contribute to the long-term sustainability of the organization; and demonstrate that the project will strengthen the organization's ability to serve the public land site.

Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded for capacity building expenses, including but not limited to strategic planning, marketing and communications, leadership capacity (board or executive),improved fundraising, assessments, and staff training.

This is the second of two rounds of twenty-five grants to be awarded in 2012. Applicants who met all requirements but were not awarded a grant in the first round will be considered again, along with new applicants, in the second round. Visit the NEEF Web site for complete program guidelines, an FAQ, and the online application process.

Contact: Link to Complete RFP

TogetherGreen

Deadline April 2, 2012

Applications for grants from the TogetherGreen Innovation Grants Program, adminstered by the National Audubon Society with support from Toyota Motor North America. Grants of up to $80,000 each will support creative projects that engage diverse communities to find solutions to environmental challenges. Who may apply: organizations classified as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that are members of the Audubon network. Applicants must collaborate with at least one other organization.

Contact: TogetherGreen, NAS

E-mail: grants@togethergreen.org

Web site: http://www.togethergreen.org

RSF Social Finance Seed Fund

RSF Social Finance Seed Fund
RSF Social Finance (RSF) is a pioneering nonprofit financial services organization dedicated to transforming the way the world works with money by supporting breakthrough ideas at the intersection of social change and finance. The RSF Seed Fund provides small grants of $500 to $5,000 to nonprofit organizations as well as individuals doing charitable work. Funded projects must address one of the following focus areas: The Food and Agriculture category encourages new economic models that support sustainable food and agriculture, while raising public awareness of the value of organic and Biodynamic farming. The Education and the Arts category supports education and arts projects that are holistic and therapeutic. The Ecological Stewardship category promotes projects devoted to preserving the earth’s ecosystems, especially integrated, systems-based, and culturally-relevant approaches. Grant proposals are due March 15, 2012. Visit the RSF website to review the funding categories and submit an online application.

Together Green Grants

[from Philanthropy News Digest] TogetherGreen, a conservation alliance between the National Audubon Society and Toyota, is accepting applications for its 2012 class of Conservation Fellows and Innovation grantees. These programs are designed to foster conservation leadership, achieve conservation results, forge partnerships in communities across the United States, and help engage millions of Americans in conservation action.

The Conservation Fellowships program seeks to invest in individuals who are committed to empowering others and to creating positive environmental change in their communities and organizations. Applicants must have at least six years of experience in conservation, environmental education, policy, or environmental issues, as demonstrated through current and past work experience, academic studies related to the environment, and/or volunteer work; and have a current affiliation (full- or part-time employment or equivalent volunteer commitment) with a conservation organization, business, university, community-based organization, or other professional organization whose goals and practices make a positive contribution to environmental conservation. Fellows receive a $10,000 grant to conduct a twelve-month conservation action project in their community, as well as specialized training and support to help shape and implement their projects. (Deadline: March 5, 2012.)

The Innovation Grants program provides funding to enable Audubon groups and others to inspire, equip, and support activities that engage new and diverse audiences in conservation action and create healthier communities. To be eligible, the applicant organization must constitute a branch, office, or other operational unit of the National Audubon Society (including national or state offices andfield units such as Audubon centers and sanctuaries), or be an Audubon-certified chapter or Audubon- certified chapter-run center or sanctuary. Independent Audubon entities that wish to participate in a cooperative arrangement with the National Audubon Society for this purpose are also eligible. Other organizations are encouraged to apply if they partner with an Audubon group on their project. Organizations in areas in which there are no Audubon organizations may apply with partners of their own.

Applicants must have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, a commitment from at least one partner organization to serve as a collaborator, and adequate collective experience and organizational capacity to administer, implement, and evaluate the project. A minimum of forty projects will receive funding totaling more than $1 million, with grants ranging from $5,000 to $80,000. The average grant awarded will be around $25,000. (Deadline: April 2, 2012.)

For complete guidelines, selection criteria, eligibility, and the online applications for both programs, visit the TogetherGreen Web site. Link to Complete RFP

EcoStar Grant program

Constellation Energy, a national energy company, is accepting applications for its annual EcoStar Grant program, which provides qualifying nonprofit organizations with funds to implement projects that support the company's commitment to environmental stewardship.

The EcoStar program targets community-based projects that fit into one or more of five stewardship categories — pollution prevention, education and outreach, energy efficiency, conservation, and community activism.

Since its launch in 2010, the program has awarded one hundred and forty-seven grants totaling $655,000. Funded projects have ranged from urban gardens and wetland restoration to innovative programs that promote energy efficiency and improved air quality.

To qualify for a grant, a project should be located in an area where Constellation does business. Employee engagement is preferred but not required. Applicant organizations must have a board of directors and 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. Applications should include a project budget that details how the grant award will be spent, with no more than 20 percent allocated to administrative and office expenses.

Grant awards will be up to $5,000, with funds provided through the Constellation Energy Foundation.

Complete program guidelines, a company service area map, the application form, and an application FAQ are available at the Constellation Energy Web site.

Link to Complete RFP

Service areas in PA include those served by:
• PECO
• Met-Ed
• Penelec
• Allegheny Power
• PPL

DEP Announces Regional ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems Workshops

HARRISBURG -- The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection invites industries, businesses, utilities and local government to attend one of several free introductory workshops around the state on the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 50001, a program designed to promote energy efficiency and reduce operating costs for a variety of organizations.

ISO 50001 is the new energy management system standard designed to help organizations improve energy efficiency, make better use of energy-consuming assets, evaluate implementation of energy-efficient technology, reduce operating costs and improve profitability. Attendees will learn more about the concept of energy management systems and the benefits of developing and implementing one for their organization.

The free ISO 50001 workshops are being offered as part of DEP’s state energy plan initiatives through a grant provided by the U.S. Department of Energy. All workshop details can be found online at http://iso50001.eventbrite.com. Those who plan to attend should register by visiting the website or by calling 814-332-6681. For more information, visit www.dep.state.pa.us or call 814-332-6681.

Ridgway, Elk County – Wednesday, Feb. 15, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the North-central Regional Planning & Development Commission, 651 Montmorenci Road, Ridgway, PA 15853. Ed Pinero is the scheduled speaker and lunch will be provided.

Harrisburg, Dauphin County – Tuesday, March 6, from 9 a.m. to noon at DEP’s South-central Office, 909 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17110.

Norristown, Montgomery County – Thursday, March 8, from 9 a.m. to noon at DEP’s Southeast Office, 2 East Main St., Norristown, PA 19401.

Scranton, Lackawanna County – Thursday, March 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at General Dynamics, 156 Cedar Ave., Scranton, PA 18505. Lunch will provided and an optional facility tour will follow the program. Note that this session also requires proof of U.S. citizenship and a photo ID. This event has a snow date of March 29.

Cranberry Township, Butler County – Tuesday, March 20, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Cranberry Township Municipal Building, 2525 Rochester Road, Cranberry Township, PA 16066. Ed Pinero is the scheduled speaker.

Erie, Erie County – Thursday, April 5, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, 301 Peninsula Drive, Erie, PA 16505. Ed Pinero is the scheduled speaker.

GE supports energy efficient buildings

GE

 In 2010, GE achieved a 33 percent improvement in its own energy intensity, a 24 percent reduction in its GHG emissions (both from a 2004 baseline) and 22 percent improvement in its water re-use (from a 2006 baseline). In 2010, GE set new, more aggressive targets for 2015:  A 50 percent energy intensity improvement, 25 percent GHG emissions reduction, and a 25 percent water reduction, from the same baselines across more than 105 million square feet. 

GE Capital Americas  (GECA) will shape a credit strike zone and profitability model for commercial building energy efficiency projects that will lead to financeable opportunities of $50MM+.  GECA will use its best efforts to create financial products to meet market needs through all steps of the supply chain from manufacturers, to dealers to end users.  GECA foresees the ability to help financing energy-saving technologies in areas such as lighting and HVAC across multiple markets – including office, retail and manufacturing.