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A Message from the
Executive Director
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I would like to start by saying THANK YOU to the GWRCCC staff, consultants, interns, Board Members, members, volunteers, sponsors, stakeholders, speakers, and the public for attending our various events for Green Week and Earth Day. Each of you contributed to the success of the GWRCCC’s activities in April.
GWRCCC is hosting the Ronald Flowers Charity Golf Tournament, on Thursday, May 18th at Lake Presidential Golf Course. Part of the proceeds will be for college scholarships for area students. Mr. Flowers served as the first Executive Director of GWRCCC and dedicated many years of his life to alternative fuels and clean energy.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for the upcoming GWRCCC Annual Conference and Green Building, Business, Transportation and Career Expo in October 2023, in Washington, DC. There will be plenty of opportunities for branding and market exposure for your business or organization.
As we continue to make an impact, it’s essential that more of our readers become a member and/or a financial supporter of GWRCCC at www.gwrccc.org/membership or www.gwrccc.org/donations.
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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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Learn how to obtain:
- Exposure to emerging technologies
- A pathway to high paying tech or science related careers
- Obtain the skills and certifications for in-demand employment
- Connect directly to employers ready to hire
- Become empowered to earn a living wage.
Click here to register or for more information.
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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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Growing EV Charging Capacity in DMV |
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Highlights from Earth Day Electric School Bus Tour! |
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Press Conference at the Earth Day Electric School Bus Tour |
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Hear from:
-Eboni-Rose Thompson, District of Columbia State Board of Education President
-Sue Gander, Director of the World Resource Initiative’s (W.R.I.) Electric School Bus Initiative
-Katherine Garcia, Director of the Sierra Club Clean Transportation for All Campaign
-Sam Schmitz, DC Field Events Coordinator Moms Clean Air Force
-Mark Nestlen, GreenPower
-Toni Harper, President of the Federal City Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
-Kelly Crawford, International Awareness and Involvement, Earth Day Subcommittee Co-Chair for the Federal City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (FCAC)
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Electric School Buses at Holabird Academy in
Baltimore, Maryland
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GWRCCC joins education, environment leaders, education officials and students at an announcement on Electric School Buses at Holabird Academy in Baltimore, Maryland. The Baltimore School District was awarded funding for 25 electric school buses from the U.S. EPA's Clean School Bus Program. GWRCCC member companies, K. Neal Bus and Truck Center, and Highland Electric will supply the buses for the school district. |
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Michael Berube from the U.S. Department of Energy Announces Clean Cities 30th Anniversary |
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2000 14th Street, NW, Suite 330
Post Box 73402
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 671-1580
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2023
Contact: Antoine Thompson, Executive Director, GWRCCC
Direct: (716) 308-0945
GSA’s FLEET REVOLVING FUND FALLS SHORT OF
ADMINISTRATION’S EQUITY ACTION PLAN GOALS
White Paper Released by GWRCCC
Washington, DC— On May 8, 2023, the Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition (GWRCCC) released a white paper highlighting the steps that the General Services Administration’s (GSA) Fleet Revolving Fund Leasing Program can take to make the leasing program more equitable for Schedule 751 contract holders that are majority small, Disabled-Veteran/Minority-Owned Firms.
GSA Schedule 751 is the least utilized of all GSA Schedule Contracts, and the non-mandatory GSA Fleet leasing program is directly competing with GSA Schedule 751 commercial leasing contractors, so much so that 99.9% of fleet vehicle leasing orders are controlled by GSA Fleet. The wide gap in dollars spent has created a significant disparity between the two GSA leasing programs. The leasing program has the potential to become much more robust if Schedule 751 contractors are able to operate on a level playing field that allows them to utilize their community outreach capabilities.
GWRCCC recommends the following to ensure GSA Schedule 751 contracts receive equitable access to the GSA’s Fleet Revolving Fund Leasing Program:
- GSA should establish a Justice 40 Supplier Diversity Goal during Model Years 2023 through 2030 with GSA Schedule 751 contract holders that are SBA certified SDVOSB.
- GSA Fleet should establish a minimum 20% supplier diversity goal each OEM model year for new technologies within a federal fleet procurement process that is transitioning to electric vehicles.
- GSA should establish a FAR compliant Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for SIN 3361E Electric Vehicles, Charging Stations, and Ancillary Services.
- GSA should invite GSA Schedule SDVOSBs to speak on FEDFLEET panels.
- GSA should establish SDVOSB program similar to VETS 2 for IT orders
If the goal is to advance racial equity and support for underserved communities through the federal government, GSA must rethink how it administers its Fleet Revolving Fund’s Leasing program. GWRCCC hopes that GSA will consider these recommendations to make the GSA Fleet Revolving Fund Leasing Program more accessible to all contractors.
“As the federal government invests in clean vehicles and technology, it is crucial that underserved and disadvantaged communities are not forgotten. GWRCCC is committed to ensuring that minority, veteran and women owned businesses get their fair share of federal clean energy and transportation investments,” remarked Antoine Thompson, Executive Director of the Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition.
Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition (GWRCCC), focused on the Washington, D.C. metro area, is one of nearly 80 coalitions in the U.S. that fosters economic, environmental, and energy security by working locally to advance affordable, domestic transportation fuels, energy efficient mobility systems, and other fuel-saving technologies and practices. Find out more at https://gwrccc.org.
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Click here to review the white paper.
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EPA is issuing this solicitation to request applications for the design and management of a new Environmental Justice (EJ) competitive pass-through program where EPA will competitively select multiple pass-through entities to provide grant funds via sub-awards to community-based nonprofit organizations and other eligible sub-recipient groups representing underserved and disadvantaged communities. The closing date for application is May 31, 2023.
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2023 Clean School Bus (CSB) Grant Program
The 2023 Clean School Bus (CSB) Grant Program is now open! This is the first grant funding opportunity through the multi-year funding program and follows the 2022 CSB Rebate Program, which was the first round of funding. Under the 2023 Grant Program, EPA anticipates awarding approximately $400 million in competitive grant funding to eligible applicants for the purchase of zero-emission (ZE) school buses, clean school buses, and ZE charging infrastructure.
Click here to register for the grant program information session.
More Information about the 2023 CSB Grant Program
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) includes two sub-programs, one for school district and Tribal applicants (School District Sub-program) and one for third-party applicants (Third-Party Sub-program). EPA is providing two separate competitions under this single NOFO to address the unique needs and concerns of diverse recipients and encourage participation in the CSB grants program.
EPA is prioritizing applications that will replace buses serving high-need local education agencies, rural areas, Tribal school districts funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and public school districts receiving basic support payments for students living on Tribal land. In addition, EPA is committed to ensuring the CSB Program delivers on the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative that at least 40% of the benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities.
The NOFO will be open for 120 days. Applicants must submit all grant application materials to Grants.gov by:
Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at 11:59PM ET.
EPA will host a series of public webinars from May through August to provide potential applicants with an overview of the NOFO and how to apply. More information will be posted to the Clean School Bus Webinars webpage.
Technical Request for Information (RFI) - On Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle and Clean Ports Programs’ - Click here for more information.
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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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March - May:
Technical assistance webinars for the Buildings Upgrade Prize are open to the public and will cover topics such as community-driven planning, funding sources for building retrofits, and more. The Buildings UP Prize Phase 1 application is due July 18.
Application support is also offered before Phase 1 to encourage new and under-resourced applicants to apply.
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Safe Streets and Roads for All - Announcement
More than 500 communities received funding for planning and projects from first round of grants announced in February; second round of funding encourages applicants to submit proposals that include demonstration projects that can be built quickly from temporary materials.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has opened the process for cities, towns, counties, Tribal governments and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) to apply directly for a total of $1.177 billion to fund local projects that improve roadway safety.
The funds are from the competitive grant program, Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A), which was created in President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help communities both plan and carry out projects that help reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our highways, streets, and roads. Funding can be targeted toward known high-crash areas, which are easier than ever to identify thanks to an interactive tool created by DOT. Locally driven solutions can include everything from improving “The crisis of traffic deaths on our nation’s roadways demands urgent and sustained action by us all,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “With our Safe Streets and Roads for All program, we are helping communities across the country save lives by making their roads safer.”
Launching and administering the SS4A grant program is a major element to DOT’s National Roadway Safety Strategy, launched in 2022 to address the high number of traffic deaths happening across the country.
In February, DOT announced 473 communities received Action Planning grants and 37 communities received Implementation grants from the first round of SS4A funding. With similar funding available this year, the Department encourages all interested communities to apply. The application process for SS4A is designed to be as easy as possible and increase accessibility to this program, particularly for smaller communities, Tribal governments and recipients new to Federal funding. Applicants for this cycle are encouraged to submit proposals that include the use of demonstration activities, sometimes also known as “quick build” projects, as part of their Action Plans, as well as undertaking more traditional action planning and implementation activities. DOT anticipates awarding at least $250 million in demonstration activities this funding round.
Applications may come from individual communities or groups of communities and may include MPOs, counties, cities, towns, other special districts that are subdivisions of a state, certain transit agencies, federally recognized Tribal governments, and multijurisdictional groups of eligible applicants.
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The EPA recently announced the 2023 Clean School Bus (CSB) Grant Program. This is the first grant funding opportunity through the multi-year funding program and follows the 2022 CSB Rebate Program, which was the first round of funding. Under the 2023 Grant Program, EPA anticipates awarding approximately $400 million in competitive grant funding to eligible applicants for the purchase of zero-emission (ZE) school buses, clean school buses, and ZE charging infrastructure. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) includes two sub-programs, one for school district and Tribal applicants (School District Sub-program) and one for third-party applicants (Third-Party Sub-program). EPA is providing two separate competitions under this single NOFO to address the unique needs and concerns of diverse recipients and encourage participation in the CSB grants program.
EPA is prioritizing applications that will replace buses serving high-need local education agencies, rural areas, Tribal school districts funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and public school districts receiving basic support payments for students living on Tribal land, and rural areas. In addition, EPA is committed to ensuring the CSB Program delivers on the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative that at least 40% of the benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities.
Applicants must submit all grant application materials to Grants.gov by: Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at 11:59 PM ET.
The EPA will host a series of public webinars regarding this NOFO from May through August to provide potential applicants with an overview of the NOFO and how to apply. Webinar registration links will be posted to the Clean School Bus Webinars webpage.
Note: Potential applicants without a Federal Grants account are encouraged to initiate the Federal Grants registration process well ahead of the deadline for funding since the registration process can take a month or more.
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More Funding Opportunities
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Through the C2C program, NREL offers in-depth technical partnerships with teams—composed of local government, community organizations, utilities, and other organizations— to work alongside national laboratory staff as they apply robust modeling and analysis tools and conduct hardware-in-the-loop testing of clean energy solutions adapted to the community's unique conditions and contexts. Apply by May 17.
Applications are now open for the Energizing Rural Communities Prize, a new $15M prize from the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations to support innovative partnerships and finance plans to help rural or remote communities develop clean energy demonstrations. Apply by May 21st for the opportunity to win $100,000 in Phase One.
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The U.S. Department of Transportation’s new Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program, will provide $2.5 billion over five years to a wide range of applicants, including cities, counties, local governments, and Tribes. Applications are now open for the first round of funding which makes up to $700 million from fiscal years 2022 and 2023. Applications are due on May 30th, 2023.
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DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) announced a $156 million funding opportunity that will advance high-impact applied research, development, and demonstration projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the U.S. industrial sector. Applications packages must be submitted on or before June 23th, 2023.
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Under the 2023 Grant Program, EPA anticipates awarding $400 million in competitive grant funding to eligible applicants for the purchase of zero-emission school buses, clean school buses, and ZE charging infrastructure. EPA is providing two separate competitions under this single NOFO to address the unique needs and concerns of diverse recipients and encourage participation in the CSB grants program. Applications are due August 22nd, 2023.
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The Department of Energy's (DOE) Loan Programs Office (LPO) as $17.7 billion in loan authority to support the manufacture of eligible light-duty vehicles and qualifying components under the ATVM, authorized by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Read DOE's two-page fact sheet for an overview of how LPO can finance auto manufacturing projects here.
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Upcoming USDOT Funding Opportunities
The list below highlights only some of USDOT’s current funding opportunities. For a full list of open and upcoming USDOT Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs), visit the Key Notices of Funding Opportunity webpage.
· The USDOT Build America Bureau announced the availability of $24 million through its Regional Infrastructure Accelerators Program, which funds Accelerators—or extensions of the Bureau in regions across the country—that are the bridge between the Bureau and local project sponsors. Accelerators open the door to billions of dollars available via the Bureau’s long-term, low-interest loans for critical transportation infrastructure projects. Working together with Bureau technical experts, Accelerators help agencies make projects viable for the Bureau’s Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan program and Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) loan program. View the informational webinar slides. Applications are due May 30, 2023.
· USDOT has opened the process for cities, towns, counties, Tribal governments, and Metropolitan Planning Organizations to apply for a total of $1.177 billion to fund local projects that improve roadway safety through the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Program. This grant program helps communities both plan and carry out projects that help reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our highways, streets, and roads. Funding can be targeted toward known high-crash areas, which are easier than ever to identify thanks to an interactive tool created by USDOT. View presentation slides and recordings from the SS4A webinar series. Applications are due May 30, 2023.
· FHWA has announced the first-of-its-kind pilot program to make roads safer, prevent wildlife-vehicle collisions, and improve habitat connectivity through the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program. Grants are available for all project activities, including but not limited to research, planning, design, and construction. FHWA seeks to award non-construction and construction projects under the Wildlife Crossings Program, including research on safety innovations, mapping and tracking tools, and the design and construction of overpasses and underpasses. Applications are due August 1, 2023.
· Competitive funding is now available for states, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, local governments, transit agencies, and Tribes through FHWA’s Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Program. The program supports projects that improve the resilience of surface transportation systems, including highways, public transportation, pedestrian facilities, ports, and intercity passenger rail. FHWA encourages applicants to use the application checklist when preparing their application. Applications are due August 18, 2023.
· Coming soon! In early May, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) will announce the availability of up to $5.815 million in FY22-23 Interstate Rail Compact (IRC) Grant Program funding to provide financial assistance to entities implementing interstate rail compacts. FRA will host an IRC NOFO webinar in May. Visit FRA’s Rail Program Delivery Webinar Series: Grants & Loans webpage to learn more about this webinar and to register once a date has been set. If you would like to be added to FRA’s mailing list to learn about future outreach events related to funding opportunities, please subscribe and select Program Delivery announcements. If you have specific questions about a NOFO, contact [email protected].
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DOT is hiring! Visit our careers website to learn more about the application process and current openings: DOT Careers.
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As the Manager III for Climate Programs, you will work closely with other senior management in the Division and Department and with other entities in the County and the region to ensure the coordinated delivery of climate-related programs and services to residents and businesses in the County. The magnitude of addressing the climate challenge requires a dynamic individual comfortable working in an evolving environment, willing to explore new opportunities, and experience collaborating with others in the public and private sectors. The application deadline is May 18, 2023.
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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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May 15- 17, 2023
The nation's premier electric transportation conference, where leaders convene to transform how people and goods move.
For more information or to register, click here.
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Meet the leaders driving green hydrogen development in Northeast! Join us at our 3rd annual conference on Green Hydrogen US, taking place on June 6, 2023, Hyatt Centric Wall Street New York.
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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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Green Transportation Summit and Expo
Aug. 22–24, 2023
Tacoma, WA
The 12th annual Green Transportation Summit and Expo (GTSE) is comprised of three days of networking, information sessions, workshops, vehicle walk-throughs, and great accommodation provided with the 3-day pass. The 2023 show will also bring back the ride-and-drive event, giving everyone the chance to experience firsthand what clean transportation looks and feels like.
Registration is open. Use code NREL-CC-30 to receive 30% off registration on any ticket. Clean Cities coalition directors and staff: use code CLEANCITIES for $99 tickets (must register with Clean Cities email address).
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As you know, Groundswell provides families across Montgomery County access to clean solar energy using community solar. By signing up for a free Empowered subscription on Groundswell's Paddington Square Project, residents will save up to $500 on their PEPCO energy bills annually. This is an incredible opportunity for families dealing with the rising costs of inflation who need help reducing their monthly expenses.
If you know of any residents that would benefit from an Empowered community solar subscription, please refer them to us. Subscriptions are limited, and we want to ensure they go to residents in need of financial resources.
For futher information, please call (202) 505-3051
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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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