Here comes $20B in climate finance

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Politico or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is set to allocate $20 billion to selected nonprofit organizations, facilitating green lending programs aimed at supporting clean energy projects within low-income communities
• This financial support is divided between the $14 billion National Clean Investment Fund (NCIF) and the $6 billion Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA), both initiatives under President Joe Biden's 2022 climate legislation

🔭 The context: The NCIF seeks to finance green energy and efficiency projects, ensuring at least 40% of the benefits reach disadvantaged communities
• Meanwhile, the CCIA focuses on empowering nonprofit lenders with the financial muscle to back similar initiatives. This approach aims to distribute green capital throughout the U.S., reaching the "capillaries" of its financial system to facilitate widespread access to clean energy solutions

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: By channeling funds into sustainable projects and enhancing the capacity of community-based financial institutions, these programs strive to combat climate change and promote energy efficiency
• The investment in renewable energy and the transition away from fossil fuels is critical for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fostering sustainable community development

⏭️ What's next: The EPA will soon announce the "hub" nonprofits responsible for managing and distributing the funds to a network of lending institutions and green projects
• Additionally, awards under a separate $7 billion grant aimed at expanding solar power to low-income communities are expected later in the spring
• These steps mark significant progress in the U.S. government's effort to integrate climate considerations into community lending practices

💬 One quote: "This program is really EPA’s attempt to inject green capital into the capillaries of our financial system in terms of all these smaller community lenders all across the country," (Adam Kent, director of the green finance program at the Natural Resources Defense Council)

📈 One stat: The total,  the EPA is planning to allocate $20 billion to boost green lending and clean energy projects in disadvantaged communities

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