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A Message from the
Executive Director
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The GWRCCC Team joined leaders from across the country for the Transportation Energy Partners (TEP) Conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC from February 13 to February 15, 2023. We met with Congressional staff, key leaders from the U.S. DOE, U.S. EPA, and the U.S. DOT on funding for Clean Cities, the Renewal Fuel Standard and much more. I had the opportunity to moderate a panel on environmental justice as well.
This month, in honor of Women’s History Month, GWRCCC will host a virtual event on Women in Alternative Fuels, clean energy, and transportation. Women continue to play vital roles in the innovation of new technology and hold positions of public and private sector leadership to advance sustainability and climate goals.
Join GWRCCC at our Monthly Stakeholder Meeting on the 2nd Thursday of every month at 10am ET. This month on March 9th at 10am, one of our featured speakers is the Honorable Earl Lewis, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Maryland Department of Transportation. Join us to learn more about our upcoming events, projects, and local, state, and federal funding opportunities.
Sincerely,
Antoine M. Thompson
Antoine M. Thompson
Executive Director, GWRCCC
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Fleet Coaching
GWRCCC is offering 30 minutes of coaching for a limited number of fleets each month.
For more information, contact the office at (202) 671-1580.
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The Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition Hosts Its 2023 Opening Reception
On February 22, 2023, The Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition (GWRCCC) hosted its 2023 Opening Reception. The reception took place at the Eaton House at the Eaton Hotel in Washington, DC. The reception was an opportunity for clean energy and transportation leaders from throughout the region to network and align goals for the DC, Maryland, and Virginia’s (DMV’s) transition to clean transportation and energy equity, inclusion, and justice. Featured speakers included Ward 5 Councilmember Zachery Parker, GWRCCC Executive Director Antoine Thompson and Jill Hamilton, GWRCCC Board Chair and President of Sustainable Energy Strategies, Inc.
There is a role for every one of those fuels in our country and we owe it to the next generation to implement them in our transportation strategies,” said Antoine Thompson, the Executive Director of the GWRCCC discussing the importance of alternative fuel sources to petroleum products. “We had a listening session last night in Bowie, MD. It was about two hours. The people were very moved by the information we have access to.”
“Taking a step back, when I think about climate change, the cleanliness and quality of our air and our environment, we often hear narratives anchored around weather events. There has been a hurricane. There has been a tornado. There has been a storm and that is why we need to care about clean energy, clean air, and clean water systems,” said Zachery Parker, the Ward 5 Council Member of the DC City Council. “But I am here to tell you that representing a community that bears the burden of the city’s industrial land where there are more heat spots – it is many, many more degrees warmer in Ward 5 than in other parts of the city.
“Those effects are disproportionately affecting black and brown people – that is why we should care about this. It is not just because it is anchored around weather events. It is also because it is disrupting the quality of life for not only the people in DC but across this country and certainly in this region.”
The GWRCCC works to shepherd the DMV region towards the increased usage of alternative fuels in the region. Examples are the previously described biodiesel, electric and propane. Phasing in of vehicles that utilize these alternative energy sources are further expected to have beneficial impacts on both human health and the environment. To learn more about the GWRCCC, visit their website at: https://gwrccc.org/ . There you can also donate to the coalition and become a member.
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GWRCCC Annual Report Preparation
GWRCCC is beginning our 2023 Annual Report, we need your help! What has your organization done to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the DMV? Ensure your work is included in our reporting.
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TEP Conference: Whitehouse Meeting
February 21, 2023
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Decarbonizing the Transportation Sector:
How Clean Fuels and Climate Action Strategies Can Benefit Disadvantaged and Environmental Justice Communities
February 18, 2023
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The US Department of Transportation
Equity Action Plan
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As part of its commitment to improving transportation equity and the U.S. Department of Transportation Equity Action Plan, USDOT also launched the Thriving Communities Program last fall, which facilitates the planning and development of transportation and community revitalization activities and provides tools to ensure that under-resourced communities can access the historic funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
More information on the Thriving Communities Program is available HERE.
For more information on the Reconnecting Communities, including additional resources and information for interested applicants and stakeholders, click HERE.
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2023 Fuel Economy Guide Now Available
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have just released the 2023 Fuel Economy Guide. The Guide provides detailed fuel economy estimates for model year 2023 light-duty vehicles, along with estimated annual fuel costs and other information for prospective car buyers.
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Enhanced Electronic Access: The 2023 Fuel Economy Guide will be published in electronic format only. You can download the latest Fuel Economy Guide from the FuelEconomy.gov website at https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/guides.shtml and print copies from the electronic file as needed. The online Guide will be updated periodically to include newly released vehicle models and current fuel cost estimates.
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Display Signage: If you would like to help promote the Fuel Economy Guide or FuelEconomy.gov, you can print a sign/poster for display.
FuelEconomy.Gov
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GWRCCC would like your help as we gather input on our constituent’s level of interest for electric vehicles. We greatly appreciate your time to complete our 30 second survey which will help us better educate and advocate for electric vehicle infrastructure, programs and initiatives in the Greater Washington Region and the nation.
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Please take a moment to complete the My Electric Vehicle Survey provided by one of GWRCCC's Board Members.
To complete the survey, simply scan the QR code below.
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FHWA established a page for the CFI Program, which provides an overview of the program and will contain a link to the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) once it is issued: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/cfi/.
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U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to receive public input on USDOT’s proposed updates to its Transportation Disadvantaged Census Tracts Tool (rebranded the USDOT Equitable Transportation Community Explorer) and the supporting Index methodology. DOT will use the comments submitted through the RFI process to further update the proposed Index methodology and tool. Responses to this RFI should be received by March 18, 2023.
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The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) intends to issue, on behalf of the Vehicle Technologies Office, a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) entitled “Fiscal Year 2023 Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) Program Wide Funding Opportunity Announcement”. EERE plans to issue the FOA on or about February 2023 via the EERE eXCHANGE website.
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The Environmental Justice Government-to-Government (EJG2G) program provides funding at the state, local, territorial, and tribal level to support government activities that lead to measurable environmental or public health impacts in communities disproportionately burdened by environmental harms. To apply for this opportunity, view the RFA on Grants.gov. Applications packages must be submitted on or before April 10, 2023.
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This Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) program provides technical assistance to state and local government entities for solar site surveys and to conduct preliminary development of solar projects. This is a non-competitive program available on a first-come, first-served basis through June 30, 2023.
Click here for more information.
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Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Block Grant Program
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program is designed to assist states, local governments, and Tribes in implementing strategies to reduce energy use, to reduce fossil fuel emissions, and to improve energy efficiency.
To learn more about the program, click here.
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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Community Solar Partnership (NCSP) announced the Community Power Accelerator Prize: Accessing Capital to Deploy Equitable Community Solar, a $10 million prize competition designed to fast-track the efforts of new, emerging, and expanding solar developers and co-developers to learn, participate, and grow their operations to support multiple successful community solar projects.
Community solar project developers or co-developers interested in expanding their staff and operations and incorporating meaningful benefits into multiple community solar projects are eligible to compete and can sign up on the HeroX platform. This includes organizations that are newly established, have developed only a few community solar projects, or that aspire to stand up a new organization or a new business line supporting multiple community solar projects.
Competitors can earn up to $400,000 each in prizes across three rounds of the competition by showing notable progress in project pre-development activities, including designing, financing, incorporating equity, and enabling access to at least two of the five meaningful benefits of community solar identified by NCSP: Low- to moderate-income household access, greater household savings, resilience and grid benefits, community ownership, and equitable workforce development.
The prize is part of the Community Power AcceleratorTM, an NCSP initiative that connects developers, investors, philanthropists, and community-based organizations together to get more equitable community solar projects financed and deployed. By the end of the prize, competitors will be ready to find funding for their projects on the Community Power Accelerator online platform.
The deadline to apply for the prize is March 15 at 5:00 p.m. ET.
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Join FTA this month to learn about a competitive funding opportunity for nearly $1.7 billion that will support state and local efforts to modernize aging transit fleets with low- and no-emission buses, renovate and construct bus facilities, and support workforce development.
Applicants are encouraged to attend the webinars linked below to learn more and how to apply before the application deadline on Thursday, April 13, 2023.
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Biden-Harris administration announces availability of $100 million through Inflation Reduction Act for Environmental Justice Grants.
EPA: Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (to develop and implement plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution) – Several due dates March 31-April 28, 2023
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New Federal EV Tax Credits
The IRS has issued new guidance on electric vehicle (EV) tax credits for 2023.
If you bought and placed in service a new qualified plug-in electric vehicle (EV) or fuel cell vehicle (FCV) on January 1, 2023, or later and meet certain income limitations, you may be eligible for a clean vehicle tax credit up to $7,500.
If you buy a new plug-in electric vehicle (EV) or fuel cell vehicle (FCV) in 2023 or after, you may qualify for a clean vehicle tax credit. Find out if you qualify.
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New Alternative Fuels
Tax Credits and Grants
A dozen new tax credits and grants have been released for alternative fuels by the Federal government and are available online at the U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center. Tax credits for biofuels, electric vehicles and related infrastructure are included. Grants include port electrification programs under the EPA.
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Job Vacancy: National Renewable Energy Laboratory: Clean Cities (Transportation Deployment) Project Leader |
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Check out this job at National Renewable Energy Laboratory:
Clean Cities (Transportation Deployment) Project Leader
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Clean Energy Job Vacancies
PLEASE BE SURE TO READ THE VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT THOROUGHLY FOR ALL REQUIREMENTS. SEE BELOW FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND RESOURCES.
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Clean Energy Champions’ Vacancies
Please visit and share our Clean Energy Jobs' Page where you can find EERE’s current BIL and Direct Hire opportunities.
Reminders
Below are helpful tips when reviewing all positions and applying.
Direct Hire Authority
DOE also has Direct Hire Authority to fill Scientific, Technical, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) positions at the GS-11 through GS-15 grade levels – the two most available within EERE are General Engineers and Physical Scientists. This authority allows us to hire more quickly than the traditional government hiring process. In using this authority, DOE still abides by the Merit System Principles and all Federal and DOE regulations for hiring. If you’re interested, please email us. At this stage, include ONLY your name, the best way you can be reached, the position (General Engineer or Physical Scientist) and the EERE office (Solar, Geothermal, Vehicles, Buildings, etc.) that interests you. Please also attach your resume that provides an overview of your work history and accomplishments as well as your educational background.
SF-50
Please ensure the appropriate SF-50 contains all the required information of your position. Not all SF-50s contain this information (e.g., monetary/time off awards). Your SF-50 must contain the following information for verification purposes:
Position title, pay plan, grade, series, step (Box 15-19)
· Appointment type (Box 34)
· Tenure code (Box 24)
· Service Computation Date-SCD (Box 31)
Areas of Consideration Definitions
Merit Promotion
· Current Federal employees with competitive status
· Former Federal employees with reinstatement eligibility
· CTAP/ICTAP eligibility
· Veterans with VOW, VEOA or VRA eligibility
· Those eligible under an OPM interchange agreement or special appointing authority
Open to U.S. Citizens
· U.S. Citizenship required
· All males must abide by laws regarding Selective Service registration
Note: Individuals who fall under the Merit Promotion area of consideration can also apply for positions open to U.S. Citizens.
Preference Eligible Veterans
Veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and were separated under honorable conditions may be eligible for veterans' preference. Veterans' preference does not apply to positions in the Senior Executive Service or to internal agency actions such as a reassignment or promotion. When claiming preference, veterans must provide a copy of their DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or other acceptable documentation. Applicants claiming 10 point preference will need to submit Form SF-15, Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference. If you have questions about the applicability of veterans' preference please contact the HR Specialist listed on the vacancy announcement. To learn more about veterans' preference, special veteran appointing authorities, and other veteran related topics, please click fedshirevets.
Recent Graduates
This program is for individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs and seek a dynamic, career development program with training and mentorship. To be eligible, applicants must apply within two years of degree or certificate completion (except for veterans precluded from doing so due to their military service obligation, who will have up to six years to apply). For additional information about the Recent Graduates Program, please click here: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/students-recent-graduates/#graduates
Additional Information/Resources:
· For more information on the specific position being announced, please contact the HR Specialist listed on the announcement.
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MEEP Program
MEEP is supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. The project allows school districts to gain experience with electric school buses from multiple manufacturers, evaluate vehicle performance (including comparison to baseline conventional fuel buses), and provide valuable information about incorporating electric school bus technologies into their fleets.
Click here for more information.
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MAEP Program
Funded by the US Department of Energy, this $14.6 million project is designed to create a regional EV ecosystem in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. It will connect the Mid–Atlantic Region’s cities through EV infrastructure sub–projects including multimodal hubs such as airports, seaports, and logistics centers. It will also address educational, planning, and equity issues of populations near these hubs. The goal is to install approximately 200 EV charging units. It is a 3–year project through 2024.
Please fill out the following information to see if your location qualifies for a charging station through the Mid-Atlantic Electrification Partnership (MAEP). Click here to complete the form.
Click here to fill out the following information to see if your Taxi/Rideshare qualifies for a charging station through the Mid-Atlantic Electrification Partnership (MAEP).
Click here for more information about the MAEP Program.
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Meet with GWRCCC to hear what’s happening in our coalition and receive clean energy and transportation updates from local industry leaders on funding, business and job opportunities.
Guest Speaker:
Earl Lewis, Deputy Secretary, DOT
For more information or to register, click here.
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GWRCCC & Bowie State University host the Climate Career Expo on Thursday, March 9, 2023.
Representatives from national, state and local agencies offering green career opportunities.
For more information, click here.
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Do you have questions about Electric Vehicles? We have answers! Stop by EV 101 to ask leading experts about
- Buying an EV
- EV Charging at home vs public charging
- EV batteries
- Charging range anxiety
- And more!
For more information or to register, click here.
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Join labor and business leaders for a discussion on the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Rebates, Federal Funding and Contract Opportunity.
For more information, click here.
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The Ron Flowers Annual Golf Outing |
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Join and Support the 2023 Ron Flowers Annual Golf Outing!
Invite and bring your friends and colleagues to support the organization. A portion of the proceeds will be earmarked for scholarships to students graduating from high school.
For more information or to register, click here.
Sponsorship Opportunities
To learn more about sponsorship, click here.
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Work Truck Week
March 7–10, 2023
Indianapolis, IN
North America's largest work truck event returns to the Indiana Convention Center.
Registration and lodging are now open. Use promo code CLEANCITIES23 to receive a discounted rate of $399 for the Green Truck Summit and all the Work Truck Week educational sessions, in addition to access to the Work Truck show floor and ride and drive.
Clean Cities will once again be represented in the exhibit hall. We are looking for coalition staff to help staff the booth. Fill out this poll with your availability. Email Sandra Loi with questions.
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EV Charging Summit & Expo |
March 29-31, 2023
For more information, click here. |
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APEC Sustainable Energy Center hosts the workshop on Sustainable Cities. This will take place on March 14, 2023, in Hong Kong, China. This workshop's focus on the topic of Financing Models for Collecting Carbon Neutrality Data and Making APEC Cities Smart.
For more information, click here.
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JOIN US
April 18-19 for our DC Fly-In Lobbying Event
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Register Now to Join NGVA Members on Capitol Hill
We will be meeting with and hearing from Members of Congress, their staffs, and officials from the U.S. Departments of Energy, Transportation, and Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency during our in-person 2023 Spring Advocacy Days.
Legislative priorities like the $1.00/gallon Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Fuel Tax Credit, expanding natural gas refueling infrastructure, emissions regulations, and federal transit funding will be covered.
Group sessions on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning will be held at the American Gas Association conference center at NGVAmerica’s Capitol Hill offices. Registrants will visit Congressional offices during the day on Wednesday. The two-day sessions will be capped by a networking reception Wednesday evening back at AGA.
The cost is $129 for NGVAmerica members and Clean Cities partners, $179 for non-members and other guests.
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Find out if your project qualifies and how you might access federal financial support.
Join us for an FGAC-sponsored webinar to find out more about member-directed Congressional spending for FY 2024, what Community Project funding is allowable, and how and when to reach out to your Congressional delegation for consideration and support.
When: Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. ET
This no-cost webinar is open to all NGVAmerica members and their guests; NGVAmerica membership is not required, though pre-registration is. Questions? Contact mbrownlee@ngvamerica.org.
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Fairfax County Green Business Partners Forum |
Join us at 9:00 am on March 31st, 2023, to explore cost-effective pathways to achieving carbon neutrality for your business.
For more information, click here.
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Registration is Now Open!
Registration is now open for DOE’s 2023 Small Business Forum & Expo, taking place July 11-12, in New Orleans, Louisiana!
Hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, DOE's 2023 Small Business Forum & Expo is designed specifically to connect small businesses with the Department’s national laboratories and program offices as well as the prime contractors all of whom help advance the Agency’s missions.
Don’t miss your chance to gain exclusive access to:
· Informative keynotes from top administration officials
· Breakout sessions led by industry leaders and experts in the field
· One-on-one matchmaking sessions
· An exhibit hall showcasing the latest products and services for building your business and increasing revenue
· Countless networking opportunities
Make plans now to join other business owners and government officials to learn how to increase revenue and grow your business.
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Consider joining our thriving organization!
For more information, scan or click on the QR Code below.
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Sponsorship Opportunities! |
GWRCCC is seeking your help and support. Click here to review the Sponsorship Opportunities. |
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