Don’t Take Existing Energy Transition Funding for Granted

This briefing from RMI advises US local leaders to utilize existing federal funding opportunities to advance decarbonization, resilience, and environmental justice rather than waiting for new legislation. It outlines strategies for navigating over 100 existing programs, integrating equity via the Justice40 initiative, and seeking funds from non-traditional agencies.

• Local leaders in the United States should prioritize existing federal funding opportunities for clean energy transitions, as there are more than 100 programs currently available that can support an equitable transition.
• The Biden Administration is integrating climate mitigation and racial equity into federal funding through the Justice40 initiative, which aims to direct 40 percent of the benefits of relevant federal investments toward disadvantaged communities.
• Specific federal programs have been updated to prioritize equity and climate action: FEMA's Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program now includes principles for benefiting disadvantaged communities, and the Department of Transportation's Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program explicitly addresses climate change and racial equity.
• Communities are encouraged to seek funding from agencies not typically associated with climate, such as those focused on health, workforce development, and economic development. Examples include the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Build Back Better program, which supports decarbonization, industrial efficiency, and electric vehicle manufacturing.
• Several US cities have used American Rescue Plan Act funds through cross-departmental coordination to advance energy goals: Minneapolis funded energy efficiency and clean energy programs via its Health Department and Office of Sustainability, while Pittsburgh allocated approximately $36 million for efficiency, weatherization, and electric vehicle investments.

APA

RMI (2021). Don’t Take Existing Energy Transition Funding for Granted. https://rmi.org/resources/dont-take-existing-energy-transition-funding-for-granted/

Chicago

RMI. Don’t Take Existing Energy Transition Funding for Granted. 2021. https://rmi.org/resources/dont-take-existing-energy-transition-funding-for-granted/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=RMI |title=Don’t Take Existing Energy Transition Funding for Granted |date=14 September 2021 |url=https://rmi.org/resources/dont-take-existing-energy-transition-funding-for-granted/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rmi2021dont, author = {{RMI}}, title = {{Don’t Take Existing Energy Transition Funding for Granted}}, institution = {RMI}, year = {2021}, month = sep, url = {https://rmi.org/resources/dont-take-existing-energy-transition-funding-for-granted/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }