The clean energy landscape is buzzing with a mix of resilience and growth. Despite recent attempts at federal rollbacks, 21 Republican lawmakers stood firm, defending vital clean energy tax credits against Trump administration cuts. Their argument? Companies have already invested heavily, and pulling the rug out now would trigger significant economic disruptions. This pushback comes amidst a wave of other positive news: Climate Central’s latest report reveals a ‘Decade of Growth’ for U.S. solar and wind, hitting a record 17% of total electricity generation in 2024. And let’s give a shout-out to the Midwest powerhouses – Iowa, South Dakota, and Kansas – leading the charge in a group of 30 states generating at least 10% of their electricity from renewables. Plus, Illinois is proving that state-level action matters, forging ahead with its third major climate bill in a decade, building on a legacy of solar deployment and clean job creation. It’s clear: even with federal headwinds, the clean energy transition is gaining momentum. (Links below!) Hold strong and hold each other up, Midwest!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- The Midwest Climate Summit is filling up and we have closed general registration to make sure our members and presenters are able to reserve a spot. Virtual registration will remain open and we’ve started a waitlist for general registration.
- If you were unable to attend last week’s call with Alex Crowley of the Indiana Energy Independence Fund, the slides, links and some discussion notes can be found here.
- Free Grant Training Opportunities! Registration is open for the MCC/SIUE Virtual Grant Management Module Training. More information here (scroll down and click the Grant Management tab). Don’t forget, we’re also offering two free grant training opportunities before the Midwest Climate Summit in Madison! You don’t have to be registered for the Summit to participate.
FUNDING NEWS
- A breakdown of major EPA deregulatory moves around water, air, climate, AP News, March 12, 2025
- E.P.A. Plans to Close All Environmental Justice Offices: An internal memo directs the closure of offices designed to ease the heavy pollution faced by poor and minority communities, NYT, March 12, 2025
ALTERNATIVE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
- ASHRAE offers chapters funding for energy efficiency, technical services | Facilities Dive
- The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation
- US Dept of Energy: Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) Program Wide Notice of Funding Opportunity
- Link to apply: Apply on EERE Exchange
- NOFO Amount: Up to $88 Million
- University of Minnesota MnTAP (Technical Assistance Program) List of Grant opportunities across MN.
SIGNALS OF HOPE
- Some Republicans Defend Clean Energy Tax Credits from Trump Administration Cuts, Twenty-one GOP lawmakers said companies have already made investments based on the tax credit programs, and repealing them would cause economic disruptions, Inside Climate News, March 10, 2025
- Climate Central issues report “A Decade of Growth for U.S. Solar and Wind”
- Together, solar and wind accounted for a record 17% of total U.S. electricity generation in 2024.
- Shout out to Midwest states Iowa, South Dakota and Kansas leading the pack of 30 states generating at least 10% of their in-state electricity from solar and wind combined in 2024.
- Illinois proves states have a lot of power to advance clean energy: The state is working on its third major climate bill in the last decade, after the past two propelled solar deployment and clean jobs. Canary Media, March 7, 2025
RESOURCES
- MCC has a number of resources that we’ve collected from a number of trusted sources, like Environmental Protection Network, Lawyers for Good Government and many more resources shared during FFF calls on our website.
- We are adding a new page for federal funding alternatives which will include a directory of green banks and CDFIs in the Midwest.
- MCC’s direct pay stories map
- Glossary of Climate/DEI Reframing Strategies
- Also, check out this interactive tool from Grist. Enter your zip code or city to see what clean energy and infrastructure projects were awarded or promised funding and what’s hanging in the balance.
- Forest Preserves of Cook Co. Grant Manager Position! –https://fpdcc.com/about/jobs/#jobs