Source: https://www.scribd.com/doc/13061084/Bringing-Home-the-Green-Recovery-A-User-s-Guide-to-the-2009-American-Recovery-and-Reinvestment-Act
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Bringing Home the Green Recovery: A User's Guide to the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act | Green Job | American Recovery And Reinvestment Act Of 2009
Description: Bringing Home the Green Recovery: A User's Guide to the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act March 2009, Shawn Fremstad, Radhika Fox and Jason Walsh The $787 billion recovery package m...
Bringing Home the Green Recovery: A User's Guide to the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act March 2009, Shawn Fremstad, Radhika Fox and Jason Walsh The $787 billion recovery package marks a big, bold, and historic investment in creating green jobs and building more equitable communities. The package invests nearly $100 billion in funding for transportation and infrastructure, $48 billion in investments in job training and education, $41 billion for energy-related programs, and $20 billion in tax incentives for renewable energy. But without substantial advocacy from local and state groups, these historic federal investments may not end up in the communities that need them most. The in-depth guide offers tangible, up-to-date information and ideas for using and securing recovery dollars to help expand opportunity in low-income communities and communities of color. The guide is a first step in what will be a vital nationwide effort to ensure the recovery package helps all communities rise stronger than ever from this economic crisis, and that community-based organizations are at the forefront in crafting a green, equitable recovery.
A User’s Guide to the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
Radhika Fox, Associate Director PolicyLink Jason Walsh, National Policy Director Green For All Shawn Fremstad, Federal Policy Advisor
Green For All is a national organization dedicated to building an inclusive green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty. PolicyLink is a national research and action institute advancing economic and social equity by Lifting Up What Works.®
Design by: Leslie Yang Illustrations by: Leslie Yang, ©iStockphoto.com (FILO), ©iStockphoto.com (John Woodcock).
Bringing Home the Green Recovery:
©2009 by PolicyLink and Green for All All rights reserved.
Many thanks to our colleagues at PolicyLink, Green for All, and partners who made contributions to this report, including: Charlotte Brody, Cara Carrillo, Milly Hawk Daniel, Tricia Griffin, Stacy Ho, Ruben Lizardo, Ian Kim, Kathleen Mulligan-Hansel, Solana Rice, Kalima Rose, and Vien Truong.
Seizing the Moment Before Us
he recently passed $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is a big, bold, and historic investment intended to kick-start the United States economy and lay the foundation for long-term economic growth and stability. It can also serve as a down payment, if invested wisely, on building an inclusive green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty. The circumstances couldn’t be more urgent—the American people are suffering through the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression and the planet is approaching a tipping point beyond which lies climate catastrophe. With hundreds of billions of dollars to build, modernize, and retrofit homes, public buildings, schools, transit systems, parks, and water infrastructure—as well as a significant investment in our nation’s human capital through education and workforce training—this landmark legislation could be a once-in-a-generation opportunity to move the nation along an arc that bends towards justice, full inclusion, and sustainability. The challenge, however, is the political and economic urgency to spend Recovery Act funds quickly in order to put large numbers of people back to work. This poses a danger in three ways:
that money will be spent poorly; that funding will go predominantly to projects which only reinforce the pollution-based economy’s status quo (with low-income people and communities of color at the smokestack end); and that jobs will only go to workers with the skills and connections necessary to get those jobs quickly, thereby reinforcing racial and economic inequity. While swift action is critical to get the economy back on track, the need for deliberate speed shouldn’t undermine the opportunity to utilize these dollars to transform the economy into one that is more just and green, and that provides real opportunity to all Americans. Our nation has dug an economic and ecological hole that is too deep and too polluted to be refilled carelessly. Instead, we need to creatively develop and employ new tools and materials, with a focus on deliberate action, scaling up local innovation, and ensuring that all can participate and prosper. Green For All and PolicyLink have prepared this User’s Guide to assist local and state advocates, nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and policymakers in making the best use of recovery dollars. The guide is organized into four parts:
The Recovery Act provides $787 billion over the next ten years, with most of the spending occurring over the next two years. The act includes $48 billion in investments in job training and education, nearly $100 billion in funding for transportation and infrastructure, $20 billion in tax incentives for renewable energy, and more than $41 billion for energy-related programs. A substantial portion of these funds can be used to green our economy and communities while creating quality employment and training opportunities that provide pathways out of poverty.
The Recovery Act: A Bird’s Eye View summarizes the Recovery Act, emphasizing information local and state leaders focused on building an inclusive green economy should be aware of as implementation unfolds.
pressure points that advocates, practitioners, and policymakers can use to ensure that lowincome communities are at the center of state and local recovery and reinvestment initiatives. IV. Overview of Green Recovery Programs offers an in-depth grid summarizing a range of programs and funding streams that can be utilized to foster inclusive and green communities and help lower-income people and communities of color access quality green jobs. It also offers website links to additional resources that local and state leaders can utilize to shape implementation efforts.
II. Recommendations for Equitable Implementation offers ideas to help local and state leaders develop strategies to influence how dollars are spent to maximize an equitable and green recovery. III. Advocacy Hooks and Pressure Points complements the recommendations section by identifying program-specific hooks and
This User’s Guide is not an exhaustive survey of all the funding provisions in the Recovery Act that can be used for renewable energy, energy efficiency, environmental protection, or other green infrastructure. It analyzes many of the programs—funded through appropriations—that can be utilized to create large numbers of green jobs, train those who are being left behind, and build greener, more equitable communities. It does not closely analyze Recovery Act tax and financing provisions that will be of particular importance to renewable energy industries. Some of the key provisions are, however, briefly summarized in Appendix B. Finally, it does not analyze programs that could be used by entrepreneurs and small businesses to create green jobs and community wealth.
Accessing Hyperlinks in the User’s Guide
There are live links embedded throughout the document. Click on the light blue outlined text to access links to outside resources.
I. The Recovery Act: A Bird’s Eye View
his section summarizes what local and state leaders focused on inclusive green job creation should know about the Recovery Act. Appendix A provides more detail on general Recovery Act provisions. Programs that can be used to build inclusive green economies and create green jobs are spread across a multitude of agencies and across various levels of government. The Recovery Act contains billions of dollars that can potentially be used to create green and equitable communities and pathways to good jobs for those who need them the most. The challenge, though, is that the dollars are spread across a multitude of agencies and levels of government. At the federal level, funds are being administered and distributed by various agencies—including Energy, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Labor—that often don’t collaborate effectively. State and local agencies poised to receive hundreds of billions of dollars are equally fragmented. See the summary table of programs analyzed and the in-depth matrix of programs in later sections of this User’s Guide for more information. The majority of recovery dollars flow by established formula to states and localities or to existing federal programs. Recovery Act funds will be disbursed in five ways, by: 1) formula; 2) competition, via requests for proposals that will be forthcoming in the weeks ahead; 3) demand from eligible individuals and entities; 4) one-time disbursements, usually to individuals; and 5) agency operating and spending plans. It is important to note that the vast majority of the dollars in the Recovery Act flow through existing programs and must be used in ways that are consistent with the purposes and requirements of
those programs. For example, in the transportation arena, most of the money will be given to state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) and regional Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) to disburse to state and local projects consistent with existing federal transportation law. There is some guidance in the legislation to push for inclusion of low-income people and communities of color. The Recovery Act directs the federal government and grantees to use funds to achieve five overall purposes, including: 1) preserving and creating jobs and promoting economic recovery; 2) providing investments needed to increase economic efficiency by spurring technological advances in science and health; 3) stabilizing state and local government budgets, in order to minimize and avoid reductions in essential services and counterproductive state and local tax increases; 4) helping those most impacted by the recession; and 5) investing in transportation, environmental protection, and other infrastructure that will provide long-term economic benefits. Advocates should reference and reinforce the overriding importance of purposes 4 and 5 in seeking funding for job creation and infrastructure improvement in their communities. Other than a prevailing wage requirement, the act generally lacks provisions (such as local hiring requirements or formal linkages to workforce training programs) that would maximize potential for full inclusion of lowerincome people.1 More formal connections to
One modest but important exception is section 702 of the Act, which requires the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Interior “to utilize, where practicable, the Public Lands Corps, Youth Conservation Corps, Student Conservation Association, Job Corps, and
workforce development programs and mandates for local hiring would have made the bill far more equitable. Establishing such linkages will now fall to advocacy at the local and state level, discussed in the recommendations section. On a more positive note, the Recovery Act will create hundreds of thousands of jobs in constructionrelated sectors of the economy. Most of these jobs, including highway and transit construction jobs, will be subject to the federal Davis-Bacon law, that requires contractors to pay prevailing wages to workers. In addition, the Recovery Act applies this prevailing wage requirement to all employees performing manual work for contractors or subcontractors on projects assisted with Recovery Act funds, including school construction and energy efficiency projects financed with tax-exempt bonds. Preference for “quick start” and “shovel-ready.” “Slow and steady wins the race” does not apply to obtaining funding under the Recovery Act. In general, the act requires that funds be distributed or awarded rapidly. For example, it contains a general preference for “quick start” infrastructure, including a goal of using at least half of infrastructure funds for activities that can be started within 180 days.
other related partnerships with federal, state, local, tribal or non-profit groups that serve young adults” in carrying out activities funded in Title VII of the Act.
As a result, funds could end up being heavily weighted towards new highway construction and other large-scale “shovel-ready” projects at the expense of smaller repair or local transit projects. Strong advocacy and pressure at the state and local level is essential to counter this potential problem. Transparency, accountability, and oversight. At the federal level, the act puts in place several provisions for oversight of expenditures. A Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board will be established and will work with an independent advisory panel to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse. The Board will also maintain a website (www. recovery.gov) to allow easy access to tracking investments. In addition, all federal agencies must immediately establish, on their existing websites, a page dedicated to the Recovery Act that will provide a portal for all agency-specific information. In an effort to create more accountability at the state and local level, every infrastructure project must receive certification from the state’s governor, local mayor, or local chief executive officer. All projects must be reviewed, vetted, and determined to be appropriate use of taxpayer dollars.
Summary of Recovery Programs Analyzed
Funding streams that can be used to provide low-income people with training for and access to green jobs and careers.
•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Adult Program WIA—Dislocated Workers WIA—Dislocated Workers National Reserve WIA—Youth YouthBuild Green Jobs: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Worker Training Job Corps: Construction, Rehabilitation, Acquisition, and Operation Corporation for National Service: AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps VISTA Expansion Weatherization Assistance Program Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants State Energy Program Converting Federal Buildings to High-Performance Green Buildings Veterans Medical Facilities Public Housing Capital Fund: Formula and Competitive Grants Native American Housing Block Grants Energy Retrofit of Elderly, Disabled and Section 8 Assisted Housing Community Development Fund: Neighborhood Stabilization Program Smart Grid Investment Program Supplemental Discretionary Grants for a National Surface Transportation System Transportation Enhancement Activities, including Pedestrian and Bicycling Facilities, Using Highway Investment Funds On-the-Job Training Supportive Services for Highway Construction Projects Capital Assistance for High Speed Rail Corridors and Intercity Passenger Rail Service Amtrak Capital Grants Transit Capital Assistance Fixed Guideway Infrastructure Investment Capital Investment Grants Department of Defense, Facilities and Construction
Funding for energy efficiency and sustainability programs, primarily for housing, schools, and public buildings.
Funding for smart grid investment and transit systems.
Water, Parks, and Environmental Remediation
Funding to build clean, healthy communities.
Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations Watershed Rehabilitation Program Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service, USDA Water and Environmental Programs Water and Related Resources Department of Energy, Environmental Management Program: Defense and Non-Defense Environmental Cleanup Management of Lands and Resources, Construction, and Wildland Fire Management Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Department of the Interior, National Park Service Hazardous Substance Superfund Remediation Program Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund Brownfields Training, Research, and Technical Assistance Grants and Cooperative Agreements International Boundary and Water Commission: Water Quantity Program State Fiscal Stabilization Fund
Funding to be used primarily to restore state education budget shortfalls, but it can also be used for other purposes.
II. Recommendations for Equitable Implementation
hat are the strategic pressure points, targets, and levers that advocates can use to influence how Recovery Act funds are spent, and for whom? Are they at the local, state, or federal level? What are the best ways to capitalize on their use? Here are six recommendations for shaping an equitable and green recovery in response to the questions above. Text boxes in this section lift up promising models and resources.
1. Push to insert equity into the implementation plans being developed by states and localities.
There are a number of large funding streams that are flowing by formula to states and local governments. In some cases, plans must be submitted to a federal agency for approval. These formal planning requirements are happening on a very short timeline. Advocates should insert themselves into these planning processes to ensure that those hit hardest by the recession gain access to training and employment in green economy sectors. For example, the $3.2 billion Energy Efficiency and Block Grant Program—$2.8 billion of which is being distributed by formula, the remainder through competitive grants—requires local governments to develop and submit to the Department of Energy a “proposed energy and conservation strategy” within one year of receiving their initial allocation of dollars. Advocates can push to ensure that the strategy developed is ambitiously progressive on multiple fronts, including energy conservation, greenhouse gas reduction, high-quality job creation, and integrated training and support services that connect lower-income people to jobs.
1. Push to insert equity into the implementation plans being developed by states and localities. 2. Demand a transparent and accountable public process to shape how resources are spent. 3. Utilize existing policy levers to push for quality jobs, especially for those who need them the most. 4. Expand and develop regional partnerships that implement sectoral employment strategies. 5. Advocate for targeted and coordinated approaches to spending recovery dollars. 6. Work to shape the rules, regulations, and guidance being developed for federal programs.
The Chicago Climate Action Plan (CCAP) outlines five strategies to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for climate change in the areas of energy-efficient buildings, clean and renewable energy sources, improved transportation options, reduced waste and industrial pollution, and adaptation. The CCAP makes it a priority to reach the most underprivileged populations in the city, ensuring that ambitious green strategies also provide pathways out of poverty to those in need. The CCAP includes the goals of retrofitting 40 percent of commercial and industrial building stock (comprising 9,000 commercial and institutional retrofits, and 200 industrial retrofits) and retrofitting 50 percent of residential buildings (comprising 400,000 residential dwelling units, at 65,000 units per year) to achieve a 30 percent reduction in energy use. If the recovery dollars that Chicago receives are spent in ways consistent with the priority strategies and goals of the CCAP, the Windy City could be a true model of a green and inclusive city. For more information, see: www.chicagoclimateaction.org
Where elected leaders do not agree to convene public meetings on implementing the Recovery Act, communities should organize their own, including town halls and other high-visibility events. The media will be closely following the story of how recovery funds get spent, and are likely to be very open to documenting efforts directed at bringing decision-making out of the shadows.
No More Closed Doors and Smoky Rooms: California Green Stimulus Coalition
In California, the Ella Baker Center and other partners, including PolicyLink and Green For All, have organized the California Green Stimulus Coalition to advocate for Recovery Act funds for high-quality job creation and green and equitable economic development. The coalition—which includes influential and respected California organizations advocating for the environment, economic justice, organized labor, and a strong workforce system—recognizes that if it’s “business as usual,” a small number of insiders and bureaucrats will decide how billions of recovery dollars are spent. The coalition will throw sunshine on this process through public hearings so that state officials uphold the highest standards of accountability and transparency. For more information, see: www.ellabakercenter.org
2. Demand a transparent and accountable public process to shape how resources are spent.
Because the majority of recovery dollars are flowing quickly to states and localities—with broad discretion—there is significant danger of deal-cutting and pet project funding that will not benefit communities most in need. Advocates should push for public hearings, citizen oversight boards, and other mechanisms at the local and state level to make decision-making transparent and to create forums where democratic voices can be heard. Finding a champion such as a state legislator, mayor, or city council member to push for this can be very helpful.
3. Utilize existing policy levers to push for quality jobs, especially for those who need them the most.
Most of the jobs created by the Recovery Act will be project-based, or will be overseen by state or local planning and oversight bodies. There is a toolbox of finely honed and proven tools, typically wielded by strong community-labor coalitions, for ensuring that residents within the communities where projects are undertaken reap substantial benefits. These tools, which can be applied project-by-project or as policies that pertain to a wide array of projects, link
The Partnership for Working Families has been at the forefront of efforts to build coalitions that win community benefit agreements. For examples of tools for Recovery Act implementation, see: www.communitybenefits.org
4. Expand and develop regional partnerships that implement sectoral employment strategies.
Just as all industry sectors do not provide the same opportunity for living wage, career-track employment, not all will be “stimulated” equally by Recovery Act funds. Local leaders will need to identify the industry sectors that are likely to be at the fulcrum of scaled family-sustaining job creation and what strategies will be necessary to ensure that low-income communities are prepared to compete for the jobs that are created. In order to respond to this opportunity effectively, local leaders should expand and develop regional sectoral employment partnerships. These partnerships focus on a particular industry sector (e.g., energy efficiency) and work to link education and training to employer demand within a region. They rely on partnerships of key stakeholders—multiple firms, unions, education and training providers, such as community colleges, community organizations, and public agencies—to ensure that these linkages are made. And they use a “dual customer” approach that satisfies the needs of both workers and employers.
job quality standards to job access requirements in an effort to lift up low-income workers and build the middle class. They include “first-source” hiring agreements that require the targeted hiring of community members; job quality and labor peace standards that guard against low-road employer practices and union busting; resources for preapprenticeship and non-traditional employment programs that provide pathways into jobs and careers for African-Americans, women, and other populations that are underrepresented in building trades occupations; and accountability measures to determine that public dollars are used to benefit the public in the broadest sense. There is also some existing law and guidance that local and state leaders can utilize as advocacy levers: { President Obama recently issued an Executive Order that repeals a previously-enacted Executive Order banning Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) and encouraging (not mandating) agencies to use PLAs in federal construction projects of $25 million or more. Advocates should push for PLAs that include commitments to hiring targets, with complementary training resources for engaging youth and adults in disadvantaged communities. { There is local hiring language in SAFETEA-LU (the most recent authorizing legislation for the nation’s surface transportation policy) that directs the U.S. Department of Transportation to allow communities to create their own agreements around local and minority hiring. { States are permitted, also under SAFETEA-LU, to use up to half of one percent of their surface transportation and bridge funds, not to exceed ten million dollars per fiscal year, to develop and administer highway construction training.
5. Advocate for targeted and coordinated approaches to spending recovery dollars.
Recovery dollars to create green jobs flow through a variety of public agencies and programs and cover areas as broad as transit, energy efficiency, water infrastructure, workforce development, parks, homes, and public buildings. Under normal circumstances, state and local governments often fall prey to implementing programs in silos, with minimal coordination and alignment that could maximize effectiveness and avoid duplication. The Recovery Act’s requirements that funds be spent quickly, combined with the amount of money that has to be spent, present a clear danger that the existing tendency toward silos will become exponentially increased as a function of speed and scale. It will be particularly important to put in place mechanisms that ensure the linkage between programs that create jobs and those that train people for jobs. At the state level, this means that
agencies and offices that may not have a history of working together—think state departments for energy, environmental protection, and labor—will need to change course immediately. A number of governors have anticipated this challenge by creating offices or commissions to coordinate the use of Recovery Act funds. These entities will only be useful if they actively solicit input and expertise from a range of stakeholders—particularly those that understand the specific economic recovery needs of low-income communities. Moreover, state commissions will not be sufficient to ensure strategic alignment of resources at the regional level—where the lion’s share of job creation will occur. For this reason, local leaders will need to push for coordinated implementation mechanisms at the community level as well.
such rule writing takes place. However, the rule writing process will occur on a very fast track and will shape the ways in which, and on what, critical funds are spent. This provides a critical opening for local implementers and advocates to bring their expertise and priorities to bear on the longer-term development of these programs. For example: { The grant program at the Department of Labor that will distribute $500 million for green job training is inspired by the Green Jobs Act, and explicitly references it in terms of target populations and industries. The Department of Labor will most likely issue a solicitation for grant applications very soon, and only then turn to issuing guidance or rules on the grant program itself. When they do, advocates should be prepared to push for language that hews closely to the partnerships and pathways-out-ofpoverty emphasis of the Green Jobs Act. { The Weatherization Assistance Program has a proven track record of weatherizing the homes of low-income households, creating jobs, and reducing energy costs. The Recovery Act provides resources for an unprecedented expansion of the program and thus raises a number of challenges, which advocates should ensure are addressed in the guidance or rules issued by the Department of Energy (DoE). Can enough workers receive quality training
6. Work to shape the rules, regulations, and guidance being developed for federal programs.
Even as state and local stakeholders need to focus on implementation within their communities, they should not lose sight of the fact that a number of new programs funded by the Recovery Act still require rules, regulations, or guidance to be written by federal administering agencies. It’s likely that initial disbursements of funds will occur before
Coordinating for Maximum Impact: The Role of State Recovery Commissions
California. Immediately following the approval of the Recovery Act, Assembly Speaker Karen Bass announced the formation of a new task force to develop a comprehensive approach to spur the state’s economic recovery. The Stimulus, Economic Recovery, and Jobs (SERJ) Task Force—in conjunction with local governments, business leaders, workers, and community groups—will develop a strategy to leverage and maximize the benefits to California from federal stimulus, finding creative ways to speed California’s recovery, and turning the state’s job losses into job gains. Outreach is being planned through public hearings, local economic round tables, and wide distribution through the Internet. Wisconsin. Recognizing that the Recovery Act designates spending in over 130 different state and federal programs, Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle established an Office of Recovery and Reinvestment to solicit input and provide information about Recovery Act funds allocated to the state. For more information, see: www.recovery.wisconsin.gov
to do the work (up to $1 billion of the $5 billion allocated can be used for training and technical assistance)? Will the expansion of the program be used to connect the short-term training necessary for residential weatherization to a career pathway that leads to higher-level, often union, jobs in the more skill-intensive commercial building retrofit industry? Will the dramatic increase of funds for the program be used to increase the quality and pay of the jobs within the residential weatherization industry
and to induce the participation of contractors who pay family-sustaining wages and benefits? Strong advocacy at the federal level will be needed to maximize the long-term benefits of this program’s expansion. And regardless of how DoE answers, at the local level, public officials, community action agencies, building trades unions, and community groups should work collaboratively to address these same questions in implementation.
III. Advocacy Hooks and Pressure Points
here are program-specific hooks and pressure points that advocates, practitioners, and policymakers can use to ensure that lowincome communities are at the center of state and local recovery and reinvestment initiatives. The list that follows is not exhaustive. Rather, it offers examples for local and state leaders to consider as they develop specific organizing and implementation efforts.
{ Advocacy Hook: Focus training on green-collar jobs created by Recovery Act funding. Training under WIA is typically funded by vouchers on an individual-by-individual basis, but the Recovery Act allows LWIBs to contract with training providers to train multiple workers for highdemand occupations, providing the opportunity to target training more effectively. { Pressure Point: Governors and Local Workforce Investment Boards (LWIBS)
Workforce Investment Act – All Programs
{ Advocacy Hook: Use statewide activities funds to develop sectoral partnerships—as many innovative states have already done—focused on green industries within regional economies. { Pressure Point: Governors and State Workforce Investment Boards
Green Jobs Training – Competitive Grant Program
{ Advocacy Hook: Partnerships of industry, labor, educational institutions and community organizations should develop proposals that incorporate pathways out of poverty and into careers in the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries. Although this grant program is not run through the Green Jobs Act, it targets populations (e.g., unemployed individuals, at-risk youth, and ex-offenders) and industries specified in the Green Jobs Act and will no doubt be implemented in a manner consistent with the goals of that legislation, which Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis was a chief sponsor of in the House. { Pressure Point: U.S. Department of Labor
Workforce Investment Act – Adult Program
{ Advocacy Hook: Use workforce funds to provide training and supportive services to those most in need. The Recovery Act specifies that priority be given for both intensive and training services to public assistance recipients and other low-income individuals. { Pressure Point: Governors and Local Workforce Investment Boards (LWIBS)
{ Advocacy Hook: Partnerships involving key stakeholders should use the added capacity to improve the quality of jobs created, and to develop more robust career pathways for workers to gain additional skills training and connections to careers in the building trades. { Pressure Point: The state administrative agencies and policy advisory councils
efficiency in the transportation sector” is an eligible use, and advocates should push for funding transit. { Pressure Point: Governors and State Departments of Energy
{ Advocacy Hook: HUD encourages grantees to strategically incorporate modern green building and energy efficiency improvements in rehabilitation projects to provide for longterm affordability, increased sustainability, and attractiveness of housing and neighborhoods. At the local and state level, push to incorporate green building and energy efficiency in all rehabilitation and redevelopment projects; and link green rehabilitation and redevelopment projects to workforce development initiatives. { Pressure Point: Local and state Housing and Community Development Departments, State Housing Finance Agencies
{ Advocacy Hook: First-year funding can be used to develop a “proposed energy and conservation strategy” that each local government must submit to the DoE. Push for inclusion of low-income communities as beneficiaries of funding. “Energy efficiency in the transportation sector” is an eligible use, and advocates should push for funding transit. { Pressure Point: State Departments of Energy, Mayors, City Councils, and County Executives { Advocacy Hook: This program was initially authorized in 2007, but no funds were appropriated. DoE has yet to issue program guidance, allocation formulas, and related policies. Authorizing statute requires DoE to establish a state and local advisory committee to advise it regarding program administration, implementation, and evaluation. { Pressure Point: U.S. Department of Energy
{ Advocacy Hook: The criteria for these grants are yet to be determined. Push the Secretary of Transportation to prioritize projects that support mass transit, impact low-income areas, and create quality jobs. Also work to get formal state level process for public input on project selection and transparency for project funding and reporting. { Pressure Point: U.S. Department of Transportation (as well as state DOTs, MPOs, and transit agencies)
{ Advocacy Hook: To receive funds, the state must submit an application to DoE, including any amendments to the plan needed to reflect changes the state is planning to undertake. Push for equity criteria and inclusion of lowerincome people in jobs that are created. “Energy
Highway Investment Funding
{ Advocacy Hook: While the majority of the Surface Transportation Program (STP) is currently used for highways, approximately $41 million
(3 percent of 50 percent of STP allocation) can be used for “transportation enhancement” activities. This fund also prioritizes projects in economically distressed communities. Transportation enhancement activities include bike and pedestrian facilities, landscaping, and workforce development. Push to maximize the resources that go to transportation enhancements which are greener investments. { Pressure Point: State Departments of Transportation, Metropolitan Planning Organizations
block grant that can be used for a variety of purposes (“public safety and other government services”), including modernizing schools to green-building standards and providing assistance to public institutions of higher education which could be used to develop the capacity of education and training programs related to green jobs. Advocates should work to ensure that this money is not misused, i.e., that it is invested in “green jobs, not jails.” { Pressure Point: Governors
{ Advocacy Hook: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) formula grant, known as 5307 Transit Capital Assistance, recognizes preventive maintenance as an eligible expense. This translates into a source for operating funds, but each Metropolitan Planning Organization has a different restriction on the allowable percentage that can be used. Advocate for maximizing the dollars going into preventative maintenance given the dramatic shortfall for transit operations in many communities. { Pressure Point: Metropolitan Planning Organizations
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act offers more than economic relief to a struggling nation. It is a chance for state and local leaders to pursue innovative strategies that can benefit people and the planet, demonstrate the equity and employment promise of a green economy, and lift up new models that federal policymakers can learn from to inform future legislation. Indeed, President Obama and the 111th Congress will have a number of opportunities to apply lessons learned from the implementation of the Recovery Act. In the year ahead they will need to reauthorize the Surface Transportation Act, the Workforce Investment Act, and will confront the economic and ecological imperative of passing transformative climate and energy legislation. Smart implementation of the Recovery Act can build the foundation of an inclusive green economy and lay the groundwork for the long-term policy changes necessary to create a more equitable, sustainable, and greener America.
{ Advocacy Hook: Although most of this money will be allocated by formula to states and used to address education budget shortfalls, $8.8 billion of the Fund will be available as a flexible
IV. Overview of Green Recovery Programs
his section of the User’s Guide provides a summary, in grid format, of many of the major programs and funding streams that can be utilized to build green economies and communities, and help lower-income people and communities of color access quality green jobs. We cast a wide net in our analysis of programs and appropriations to make this User’s Guide useful to a wide array of local and state leaders working to shape implementation of the Recovery Act. We included programs that can be used to create or save green jobs (e.g., energy efficiency programs), help green our communities (e.g., parks, environmental remediation), or reduce greenhouse gas emissions (e.g., public transit). In determining what programs to include, we erred on the side of inclusion, generally including any program that can be used for at least one of these purposes, even if it is not the only or primary purpose of the program. Each row in the grid describes a program (or, in some cases, an appropriations account that may include multiple programs), organized into five broad functional categories:
1. Education and Training: Funding streams that can be used to provide lowincome people with training for and access to green jobs and careers. 2. Energy Efficiency and Sustainability: Funding for energy efficiency and sustainability programs, primarily for housing, schools, and public buildings. 3. Green Infrastructure: Funding for smart grid investment and transit systems. 4. Water, Parks, and Environmental Remediation: Funding to build clean, healthy communities. 5. State Fiscal Stabilization: Funding to be used primarily to restore state education budget shortfalls, but a portion of it can also be used for almost any other government purpose, including activities in any of the categories above.
What’s in the Grid
Program Name (or Appropriations Account)
The federal agency administering the program. Purpose: This is generally the overall purpose of the program receiving funding (in some cases, funding is provided for a narrower purpose). Statute: A citation to the section or sections of the United States Code that authorize and govern the program. Regulations: A citation to the section or sections of the Code of Federal Regulations that apply to the program or funding. CFDA Number: The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, a federal government publication (available at www.cfda.gov) is a basic reference guide to federal funding available to states and local governments, non-profit and other entities, and individuals. If a program has a CFDA number, you can go to the guide for further information about it.
The first number is the amount of new funding the Recovery Act provides for the program. The column also includes: 1) the type of funding, usually either a formula grant or competitive grant; 2) general information on how funds will be allocated, if applicable and available; 3) who is eligible to apply for the funding; 4) date funding is available until (if different from September 30, 2010 - the date section 1603 of the act makes all funds available unless expressly provided otherwise) and any other notable information related to the timing of funding.
Allowable uses of the funds, and any notable restricted uses. Requirements, if any, related to allocation of funds among allowable uses or program purposes. For programs providing direct benefits or services to individuals (e.g., employment and training programs), who are eligible to receive them.
Resources/ Comments
Additional information that can help shape implementation and advocacy efforts.
Department/Agency Codes and Abbreviations
To assist users to quickly find programs by federal department or agency, we use the following green tabs and abbreviations in the grid. AG
Other Codes Used in Table
CERCLA: Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 CFDA: Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance CFR: Code of Federal Regulations FY: Fiscal Year (federal unless noted otherwise) FTA: Federal Transit Agency GJA: Green Jobs Act EISA: Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 NPS: National Park Service NRCS: National Resources and Conservation Service NSP: Neighborhood Stabilization Program PHA: Public Housing Agency USC: United States Code WAP: Weatherization Assistance Program WIA: Workforce Investment Act WIB: Workforce Investment Board
Department of Agriculture Corporation for National and Community Service Department of Defense Department of Energy Department of the Interior Department of Labor
DOT ED EPA GSA HUD VA
Department of Transportation Department of Education Environmental Protection Agency General Services Administration Housing and Urban Development Veterans Administration
DOD DOE DOI DOL
How to Use the Internet to Find Out More About a Particular Program or Funding Source
Read the description of the program in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance available at www.cfda.gov.
Go to the website of the federal agency that oversees the program—you’ll want to look at both the Recovery Act page maintained by the agency (all agencies are required to have one) and the page for the program itself.
Go to Recovery.gov to see if they have any information on the program or funding source. Go to Grants.gov—within 20 days after enactment, agencies must post synopses of funding opportunity announcements there; and within 30 days of enactment, the Grants.gov synopsis must link to the full announcement on the agency website. Read the Agency’s “Recovery Program Plan”—by May 1, 2009, federal agencies must have one in place for each program named in the Recovery Act.
$500 million Formula grants to states. See Appendix C for estimated state allocations. States must allocate 85% of funds to Local Workforce Investment Boards (LWIBs). Remaining 15% is reserved for administration and statewide activities. Responsibility for determining use of WIA funds in each state is split between the state’s Workforce Investment Board and local WIBs. Funds available for obligation immediately and remain available until June 30, 2010. States will likely need to submit an amendment to their WIA state plans to obtain funds.
Adult (18 and older) employment and training activities under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). Funds can be used for “supportive” services, including transportation, childcare, dependent care, housing and needs-related payments, if an individual needs them to participate in the program. WIA provides three levels of employment and training services: 1) core—including outreach, job search and placement assistance, and labor market information; 2) intensive—more comprehensive assessments, development of employment plans and counseling and career planning; 3) training—occupational and basic skills training.
Although WIA is generally a universal program (i.e., not means-tested), lowincome individuals and veterans generally must receive priority for intensive services and training (according to guidelines developed by state and local governments). Moreover, the Recovery Act places a priority on using these new funds to provide services generally to low-income individuals, public assistance recipients, and veterans. Local boards are generally required to provide training through “individual training accounts,” but Recovery Act funds may be used to contract directly with an institution of higher education or other eligible training provider, if the board determines it would facilitate the training of multiple individuals in high-demand occupations.
Workforce Investment Act (WIA)—Adult Program
Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Purpose: Improve the quality of the workforce and enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the nation’s economy by providing workforce investment activities that increase the employment, retention, and earnings of participants, and increase occupational skill attainment by the participants. Statute: Title I-B of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Regulations: 20 CFR Parts 660 to 663 CFDA: 17.258
$1.25 billion Formula grants to states. See Appendix C for estimated state allocations. States allocate funds to local workforce investment boards by formula prescribed by the governor. Funds available for obligation immediately and remain available until June 30, 2010.
Employment and training activities (see above) for dislocated workers. A dislocated worker is someone who meets any of the following criteria: 1) terminated or laid off, or has received a notice of termination or layoff from employment; 2) eligible for or has exhausted unemployment insurance; 3) demonstrated an appropriate attachment to the workforce, but not eligible for unemployment insurance and unlikely to return to a previous industry or occupation; 4) terminated or laid off or received notification of termination or layoff from employment as a result of a permanent closure or substantial layoff; 5) employer has announced that facility will close within a 180 days; 6) self-employed, but unemployed as a result of general economic conditions or natural disaster; or 7) displaced homemaker no longer supported by another family member.
WIA—Dislocated Workers
Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Purpose: Reemploy dislocated workers. Statute: Title I-B of WIA Regulations: 20 CFR Part 663 CFDA: 17.260
$200 million Project grants: Applicants may include states, outlying areas, local workforce boards, and non-profit and private organizations whose purpose is to provide targeted services to eligible beneficiaries. Funds available for obligation immediately and remain available until June 30, 2010.
“National emergency grants” for dislocated worker employment and training services in “high unemployment” and “high poverty” areas.
WIA—Dislocated Workers National Reserve
Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Purpose: Provide national emergency grants to reemploy dislocated workers in high unemployment and high poverty areas. Statute: Section 173 of WIA Regulations: 20 CFR Part 671 CFDA: 17.260
$1.2 billion Formula grants to states. See Appendix C for estimated state allocations. Funds available for obligation immediately and remain available until June 30, 2010.
Youth activities, including summer jobs for youth. May not be used for Youth Opportunity Grants. Recovery Act changes the age for an “eligible youth” from 14-21 to 14-24. Funds must be used to provide services to low-income youth who are: 1) deficient in basic literacy skills, or 2) require additional assistance to complete an education program or secure and hold employment. Also eligible are youth who fall into one of the following categories: school dropout, homeless, runaway, foster child, pregnant or a parent, or offender.
WIA—Youth
Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Purpose: To help low-income youth acquire the educational and occupational skills, training, and support needed to achieve academic and employment success and successfully transition to careers and productive adulthood. Statute: Title I-B of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, Subtitle B Regulations: 20 CFR Part 664 CFDA: 17.259
$50 million Competitive grants Public or private nonprofit agency or organization (including a consortium of such agencies or organizations), including any relevant public or private nonprofit entity that provides education or employment training and can meet the required elements of the grant. Funds available for obligation immediately and remain available until June 30, 2010.
Eligible uses include: broad range of employment and training activities, counseling services and related activities, youth development activities, supportive services and need-based stipends, mentoring, and provision of wages, stipends and benefits to participants. An eligible youth is an individual who is 1) between the ages of 16 and 24 on the date of enrollment; 2) a member of a “disadvantaged youth population”; and 3) a school dropout. Up to 25% of participants may be youth who do not meet the education and disadvantaged criteria but are: 1) basic skills deficient, despite attainment of a secondary school diploma or GED credential; or 2) have been referred by a local secondary school.
YouthBuild USA is implementing an ambitious Green Initiative to train participants for jobs building energy efficient buildings with sustainable materials. This program builds on the traditional YouthBuild model, a 9 to 24 month, full-time program that combines training in construction trade skills, with time in the classroom working towards a GED or high school diploma, youth leadership, and civic engagement skills-building. For more information, see YouthBuild USA.
Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Purpose: Provide disadvantaged youth with: the education and employment skills necessary to achieve economic self-sufficiency in occupations in high demand and postsecondary education and training opportunities; opportunities for meaningful work and service to their communities; and opportunities to develop employment and leadership skills and a commitment to community development among youth in low-income communities. Statute: Title I-D of WIA CFDA: 17.274
$500 million Competitive grants. Although eligible entities are not specified in the appropriation, they likely include nonprofits and state and local government entities, including the various partnerships described in section 171(e)(2)(B) of WIA. Funds available for obligation immediately and remain available until June 30, 2010. Target groups of eligible individuals to be given priority for training and other services include: 1) workers impacted by national energy and environmental policy; 2) individuals in need of updated training related to energy efficiency and renewable energy industries; 3) veterans, or past or present members of military reserves; 4) unemployed individuals; 5) individuals, including atrisk youth, seeking employment pathways out of poverty; and 6) formerly incarcerated, adjudicated, nonviolent offenders.
Research, labor exchange (everything involved in connecting workers to jobs) and job training projects that prepare workers for careers in the following energy efficiency and renewable energy industries, including: 1) the energy-efficient building, construction, and retrofit industries; 2) the renewable electric power industry; 3) the energy efficient and advanced drive train vehicle industry; 4) the biofuels industry; 5) the deconstruction and materials use industries; 6) the energy efficiency assessment industry serving the residential, commercial, or industrial sectors; and 7) manufacturers that produce sustainable products using environmentally sustainable processes and materials.
This grant program doesn’t directly fund the Green Jobs Act (GJA) of 2007, which remains unfunded. However, it is clearly inspired by the GJA and requires entities seeking grants to comply with the GJA’s requirements related to eligible industries and target group priorities. The other provisions of the GJA don’t directly apply to this funding (in large part, to provide the Secretary with the flexibility needed to allocate Recovery Act funds expeditiously), but the funds can (and should) be used in ways consistent with the GJA, particularly its emphases on partnerships between industry, labor, and community, and on developing pathways out of poverty for low-income individuals. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis was the chief sponsor of the GJA in the House. For more information on the GJA: www.greenforall.org/files/ faq-greenjobsact07.pdf
Green Jobs: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Worker Training
Statute: 171(e)(1)(B) of WIA (Green Jobs Act of 2007; Title X of EISA)
$250 million Funds available for obligation immediately and remain available until June 30, 2010.
Construction, rehabilitation, and acquisition of Job Corps centers. DOL may transfer up to 15% to meet operational needs of centers, include training for careers in the energy efficiency, renewable energy, and environmental protection industries.
Job Corps has 122 centers in 48 states; new centers are slated to open in the two remaining states, New Hampshire and Wyoming. Map of locations Current law requires a contract between DOL and the entity operating a Job Corps center. This contract serves as an operating plan for the center and is available to the public. DOL may require operators to submit additional information as part of the plan.
Job Corps: Construction, Rehabilitation, Acquisition, and Operation
Department of Labor Statute: Title I, Subtitle C of WIA Regulations: 20 CFR Part 670
$89 million for AmeriCorps State and National (up to 20% for national grants) $65 million for AmeriCorps VISTA $40 million for the National Service Trust
AmeriCorps State and National funds must be used for additional awards to existing grantees and to provide adjustments to certain awards.
See CNCS’s Recovery Act webpage for more information.
Corporation for National and Community Service Purpose: AmeriCorps addresses pressing education, public safety, and human and environmental needs by encouraging Americans to serve. AmeriCorps VISTA has a similar purpose but is focused on poverty. Statute: National and Community Service Act of 1990; Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 Regulations: 45 CFR Part 2500 CFDA: 94.006
$5 billion Formula Grants: Federal agency distributes to states, territories, and some tribes using existing allocation formula. State subgrants funds to Community Action Agencies and other public or nonprofit entities. State must give preference to current subgrantees (as long as they run effective programs). DOE may reserve up to 20% of funds to provide, directly or indirectly, training and technical assistance to any grantee or subgrantee. Training and technical assistance may include providing information concerning conservation practices to occupants of eligible dwelling units.
For dwelling units occupied by family units with income under 200% of federal poverty level (and certain multi-family housing units): 1) Installing weatherization materials such as attic insulation, caulking, weather-stripping, furnace efficiency modifications, certain mechanical measures to heating and cooling systems, and replacement furnaces, boilers, and air-conditioners. 2) Installing renewable energy systems for the purpose of heating or cooling, providing hot water or electricity for use within such dwelling; or wind energy for non-business residential purposes. Multi-family buildings may be weatherized if at least 66% of dwelling units in the building are eligible and certain other requirements are met. Threshold is 50% for duplexes, four-unit buildings, and certain other buildings. Funds may also be used to weatherize shelters defined as “dwelling units whose principal purpose is to house on a temporary basis, individuals who may or may not be related to one another and who are not living in nursing homes, prisons, or similar institutional care facilities.” On a statewide basis, the average expenditure per dwelling unit (on materials, program support and labor costs) is limited to $6,500.
States allocate WAP funds to subgrantees according to a state plan prepared after notice and a hearing, and approved by DOE. State Policy Advisory Councils have responsibility for advising the state agency responsible for allocating funds. Federal regulation (10 CFR 440.16) requires, to the maximum extent possible, use of “training participants and public service employment workers, other Federal or State training program workers, to work under the supervision of qualified supervisors and foremen.” State plan must include a training and technical assistance plan. List of weatherization activities by state Weatherization Assistance Program Technical Assistance Center: Resources include list of state directors and other brief state-by-state information. DOE guidance for program year 2009 (issued before passage of Recovery Act, so it will be revised).
Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Purpose: Increase energy efficiency of dwellings owned or occupied by low-income persons or provide such persons renewable energy systems or technologies, reduce their total residential expenditures, and improve their health and safety, especially low-income persons who are particularly vulnerable such as the elderly, persons with disabilities, families with children, high residential energy users, and households with high energy burden. Statute: 42 USC 6861 et seq. Regulations: 10 CFR Part 440 CFDA: 81.042
$3.2 billion ($2.8 billion for formula grants, remainder for competitive grants). Formula Grant: DOE allocates to local governments, states, and Indian tribes as follows: -68% to local governments -28% to states (must pass through 60% to local governments not receiving direct funding) -2% to tribes -2% to competitive grants (priority to local governments: 1) in states with populations of less than 2 million, or 2) that plan to carry out projects that would result in significant energy efficiency improvements or reductions in fossil fuel use). Local governments may subgrant funds to nongovernmental organizations, up to the greater of 20% of funds or $250,000.
Activities to achieve purposes of the program, including: 1) developing/implementing an “energy efficiency and conservation strategy”, including hiring technical consultants to assist in development of strategy; 2) conducting residential and commercial building energy audits; 3) establishing financial incentive programs for energy-efficiency improvements; 4) grants to non-profits and government organizations to perform energy efficiency retrofits; 5) developing/implementing programs to conserve energy used in transportation, including: a) use of flex-time by employers; b) satellite work centers; c) development and promotion of zoning guidelines or requirements that promote energy efficient development; d) development of infrastructure such as bike lanes and pathways and pedestrian walkways; 6) developing/implementing building codes and inspections services to promote building energy efficiency; 7) energy efficiency and conservation programs for buildings and facilities within entity’s jurisdiction; 8) energy distribution technologies that significantly increase energy efficiency, including distributed resources, and district heating and cooling systems; 9) increasing participation and efficiency rates for material conservation programs; 10) purchase and implementation of technologies to reduce, capture, and use methane and other greenhouse gases generated by landfills and similar sources; 11) replacement of traffic signals and street lighting using energy efficient technologies; 12) developing, implementing, and installing on or in any government building onsite renewable energy technology that generates electricity from renewable sources.
First-year funding can be used to develop a “proposed energy and conservation strategy” that each local government must submit to Department of Energy without one year of receiving initial allocation. Strategy must include: goals for increased energy efficiency and conservation and a plan for using funds to achieve those goals. DOE must approve or disapprove it within 120 days. Additional funding is contingent on plan approval. Program was initially authorized in 2007, but no funds were appropriated. Energy Department has yet to issue program guidance, allocation formulas and related policy. Authorizing statute requires DOE to establish a state and local advisory committee to advise it regarding program administration, implementation, and evaluation. Energy Department may determine other allowable uses of funds (consistent with program purposes) in consultation with EPA, DOT, and HUD.
Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Purposes: Implementing strategies to: reduce fossil fuel emissions in a way that is environmentally sustainable and maximizes benefits for local and regional communities; reduce total energy use; improve energy efficiency in the transportation sector, building sector, and other appropriate sectors. Statute: 42 U.S.C. 17151 et seq.; Title V, Subtitle E of Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
$3.1 billion Formula Grant: DOE allocates funds to states:
- 1/3 equally among states; - 1/3 according to population; - 1/3 according to energy consumption.
States may use funds for a wide range of activities and programs that promote energy efficiency, including residential, commercial and governmental building energy-efficiency retrofits. As part of its State Energy Plan, each state must: 1) implement mandatory lighting efficiency standards for public buildings throughout the state; 2) have various activities in place that promote the availability and use of carpools, vanpools, and public transportation; 3) have under implementation, mandatory standards and policies affecting the procurement practices of the state and its political subdivisions to improve energy efficiency; and 4) implement mandatory thermal efficiency standards for all new and renovated buildings. States may also use funds for: 1) public education to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy; 2) transportation energy efficiency; 3) energy audits of buildings and industrial facilities; 4) promoting energy efficiency as an integral component of economic development planning; 5) providing education and training to building designers and contracts; 6) various other activities detailed in 10 CFR 420.17 Funds cannot be used to purchase real estate, for building construction, research or demonstration of non-commercially available technology; or transit subsidies, utility rate demonstrations or state tax credits for energy conservation.
To receive funds, state must submit application to DOE, including any amendments to state plan needed to reflect changes the state is planning to undertake. State Energy Program page on the website of the National Association of State Energy Officers (NASEO) State Energy Advisory Board NASEO: State-by-state summaries of activities funded with SEP dollars. DOE: State-by-state summary descriptions of FY2006 activities in SEP plans. Section 410 requires governor to make assurances that state regulatory authority will “seek to implement ... a general policy that ensures utility financial incentives are aligned with helping their customers use energy more efficiently ....” This language requires states to consider “decoupling,” i.e. disconnecting utilities sales’ from their profits, thereby encouraging them to implement energy efficiency programs.
Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Purpose: Promote energy conservation, reduce the rate of growth of energy demand, and reduce dependence on imported oil through the development and implementation of a comprehensive State Energy Program and the provision of federal financial and technical assistance to states. Statute: 42 USC 6321 et seq; Part D of Title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act Regulations: 10 CFR 420 et seq. CFDA: 81.04
State matching requirement of 20% (cash or in-kind). State must prioritize grants toward funding energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, including retrofits of buildings and industrial facilities, expanding existing programs, and joint activities between states.
$4.5 billion Up to $3 million must be used for on-the-job pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship training programs registered with the Department of Labor. $4 million for the Office of HighPerformance Green Buildings.
A “high-performance green building” is one that, during its life-cycle, as compared with similar buildings (as measured by Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey or Residential Energy Consumption Survey data from the Energy Information Agency): 1) reduces energy, water, and material use; 2) improves indoor environmental quality; 3) reduces negative impacts on the environment, including air and water pollution and waste generation; 4) increases the use of environmentally preferable products; 5) increases reuse and recycling opportunities; 6) integrates systems in the building; 7) reduces the environmental and energy impacts of transportation through building location and site design; 8) considers indoor and outdoor effects of the building on human health and the environment, including improvements in worker productivity, lifecycle impacts of building materials and operations, and other facts determined appropriate. Non-recurring maintenance including energy projects.
GSA must submit a plan to Congress within 45 days, detailing, by project, how funding will be used. Information on greenbuilding best practices. GSA is currently reviewing hundreds of projects currently in the agency’s backlog. Projects will be evaluated based on how fast GSA can create jobs and how much added energy-efficiency and sustainability can be gained from projects ready for construction awards within two years. The GSA will consider hiring contractors for various projects. Once details are determined, they will be posted online. Regional, state, and local contacts for the Department of Labor Apprenticeship Training programs. Secretary of Veterans Affairs must submit a plan to Congress within 30 days detailing how funding will be used. Any state may apply directly to the Department of Veterans Affairs for grants for construction of stateowned veterans home facilities. Pre-application is due by April 15, 2009 for all projects. State assurance of matching funds is due by August 15, 2009 to receive priority status.
Converting Federal Buildings to HighPerformance Green Buildings
Title V of Recovery Act General Services Administration Statute: Section 401 of Public Law 110-140 (definition of highperformance green buildings).
Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration Title X of Recovery Act
$1 billion Act also provides $150 million for grants to states to acquire or construct nursing homes, or remodel, modify, or alter existing hospital or nursing home facilities for veterans.
$4 billion ($3 billion by formula, $1 billion by competitive grant). Must use same formula used for FY2008 funds. Formula funds must be allocated within 30 days. Competitive funds are for priority investments, including investments that leverage private sector funding or financing for renovations and energy conservation retrofit investments. Competitive funding must be obligated by September 30, 2009. Public housing authorities must prioritize: 1) capital projects that can award contracts based on bids within 120 days from the date funds are made available to them; 2) rehabilitation of vacant rental units; 3) capital projects underway or already in their 5-year plans.
“Capital and management activities” of public housing agencies, including: 1) improvement of energy and water-use efficiency by installing fixtures and fittings that conform to ASME/ANSI standards and by increasing energy efficiency and water conservation by such other means as the Secretary determines are appropriate; 2) integrated utility management and capital planning to maximize energy conservation and efficiency measures. 3) development, financing, and modernization of public housing projects, including the redesign, reconstruction, and reconfiguration of public housing sites and buildings, and the development of mixed-finance projects; 4) addressing deferred maintenance needs and the replacement of obsolete utility systems and dwelling equipment; 5) management improvements, including the establishment and initial operation of computer centers in and around public housing through a Neighborhood Networks initiative; 6) capital expenditures to facilitate programs to improve the empowerment and economic self-sufficiency of public housing residents and to improve resident participation. Funds may not be used for direct social services. Secretary may waive statutory or regulatory provisions related to the obligation and expenditure of capital funds if necessary to facilitate the timely expenditure of funds (except for requirements related to fair housing, non-discrimination, labor standards, and the environment).
PHA Annual Plan must describe the capital improvements necessary to ensure long-term physical and social viability of the PHA’s public housing developments, including the capital improvements to be undertaken in the year in question and their estimated costs, and any other information required for participation in the Capital Fund. PHAs also are required to include 5-Year Plans covering large capital items. HUD: Public Housing Agency Plans See 2008 funding list.
Public Housing Capital Fund: Formula and Competitive Grants
Housing and Urban Development, Office of Capital Improvements Purpose: Provide funds to Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) for the development, financing, and modernization of public housing developments and for management improvements. Statute: Section 9 of the United States Housing Act of 1937; 42 U.S.C. 1437g Regulations: 24 CFR Part 905 CFDA: 14.872
$510 million (half by formula; half by competitive grant). Eligible grantees are Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages, or their tribally designated housing entities, which designate who receives the grants. Projects are limited to low-income households. Formula grants: Distributed according to FY2008 funding formula to Indian tribes with approved Indian Housing Plans (IHPs). HUD shall obligate funds within 30 days. In selecting projects to be funded, recipients shall give priority to projects for which contracts can be awarded within 180 days from dates funds are available to recipients. Competitive grants: HUD may obligate funding to eligible entities that apply for funds authorized under NAHASDA. Competitive funding must be obligated by September 30, 2009. Secretary must give priority to projects that will spur construction and rehabilitation and create employment opportunities for lowincome and unemployed persons.
Formula funds must be used for new construction, acquisition, rehabilitation including energy efficiency and conservation, and infrastructure development. Generally, eligible affordable housing activities must develop or support rental or ownership housing or provide housing services to benefit low-income Indian families on Indian reservations and other Indian areas. Affordable housing must cost no more than 30% of the family’s adjusted income.
The program is the largest single source of funding for affordable housing on tribal lands, and was designed to give direct control to tribes in identifying and addressing their affordable housing needs. The program has distributed more than $5.7 billion in funding to tribes or tribally designated housing entities from 1998 to 2006. Between 2004 and 2006 the program funded the construction of more than 6,000 affordable housing units and provided housing assistance to 24,000 families. “Energy efficiency and conservation” is a new addition to the description of rehabilitation as an eligible use, and potentially significant if tribal entities include energy efficiency and green retrofit work in their grant applications.
Housing and Urban Development, Office of Public and Indian Housing Purpose: Serve the housing needs of low-income American Indians and Alaska Natives. Simplify the process of federal housing assistance for Indian tribes and make such assistance better fit their circumstances. Statute: Title I of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (“NAHASDA”); 25 U.S.C. 4111 et seq. Regulations: 24 CFR Part 1000 CFDA: 14.867
$250 million Competitive grants or loans to owners of project-based assisted housing: 1) Section 202 Housing for the Elderly 2) Section 811 Housing for Persons with Disabilities 3) Section 8 Project-Based Voucher Program Payments are made to owners for 12-month periods. Owners receiving funding must spend it within two years.
Energy retrofit and green investments in project-based assisted housing. Secretary may provide incentives to owners to undertake energy or green retrofits, including fees to cover investment oversight and implementation, or to encourage job creation for low-income or very low-income individuals.
The Recovery Act also provides $2 billion to assist owners of properties receiving project-based assistance (“Assisted Housing Stability”). HUD project-based rental assistance helps more than 1.3 million low- and very low-income households afford private housing. It also provides transitional housing for the homeless.
Energy and Green Retrofit Investments in Elderly, Disabled, and Section 8 Assisted Housing
Housing and Urban Development, Office of Affordable Housing Preservation
$2 billion Competitive grants to states, units of general local government, and nonprofits or consortia of nonprofit entities (which may submit proposals in conjunction with for-profit entities). HUD must publish criteria for grants within 75 days. Applications for funds due within 150 days. HUD must ensure that grantees are in areas with the greatest number and percentage of foreclosures, and obligate all funding within a year. Recovery Act also provides $1 billion in Community Development Block Grant funds.
1) Establish financing mechanisms for purchase and redevelopment of foreclosed-upon homes and residential properties, including such mechanisms as soft-seconds, loan loss reserves, and shared-equity loans for low- and moderate-income homebuyers; 2) purchase and rehabilitate homes and residential properties that have been abandoned or foreclosed upon, in order to sell or rent such homes and properties; 3) establish and operate land banks for homes that have been foreclosed upon; 4) demolish foreclosed properties that have become blighted structures; and 5) redevelop demolished or vacant foreclosed properties in order to sell or rent such properties. Secretary may use up to 10% of the funds for grantees for the provision of capacity-building of and support for local communities receiving Neighborhood Stabilization Program funding (in the Recovery Act or previously).
HUD awarded $3.92 billion in NSP formula grants to states and $1.1 billion to cities and counties in September 2009. Rehabilitation funds may be used for preservation, improving energy efficiency or conservation, or providing renewable energy source(s). HUD encourages grantees to strategically incorporate modern green building and energyefficiency improvements in rehabilitation projects to provide for long-term affordability and increased sustainability and attractiveness of housing and neighborhoods. Grantees may also redevelop demolished or vacant properties; this includes new construction of housing and building infrastructure for housing. Opportunity exists to incorporate green building and energy efficiency in all rehabilitation and redevelopment projects, and link green rehabilitation and redevelopment projects to workforce development initiatives. HUD’s NSP Guide for Eligible Uses HUD’s NSP Policy Guidance page
Housing and Urban Development, Community Planning and Development Purpose: Provide assistance to state and local governments to acquire and redevelop foreclosed properties that might otherwise become sources of abandonment and blight. Division B, Title III of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008
$4.5 billion, including $100 million for worker training for Smart Grid projects. Includes a regional demonstration initiative, and a matching grant program for smart grid investments.
Research and development, pilot projects, and federal matching funds for the Smart Grid Investment Program to meet the goal of a modern electric grid, enhance security and reliability of energy infrastructure, and facilitate recovery from disruptions to the energy supply.
“Smart grid” is shorthand for operating the nation’s electricity transmission and distribution system using advanced digital technology to save energy and cost, and to allow demand response, use of storage technologies (including plug-in hybrid batteries), integration of dispersed renewable and distributed generators, enhanced reliability and quicker repair of outages, and improved power quality. For a non-technical introduction to Smart Grid, see The Smart Grid: An Introduction. For information on job creation and types of jobs, see The U.S. Smart Grid Revision: KEMA’s Perspectives for Job Creation.
Smart Grid Investment Program, including Worker Training
Department of Energy, Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability Purpose: Support the modernization of the nation’s electricity transmission and distribution system to maintain a reliable and secure electricity infrastructure. Statute: 42 U.S.C. 17381 et seq.; Title XIII of Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
$1.5 billion Competitive grants to state and local governments or transit agencies. Individual grants must be between $20 and $300 million (subject to Secretary waiver for significant smaller projects). Secretary must publish grant criteria within 90 days; grant applications due within 180 days after the publication of criteria. May fund up to 100% of a project.
Highway and bridge projects, public transportation projects, and passenger and freight rail projects. Eligible public transit uses include investments in projects participating in New Starts and Small Starts programs that will expedite completion of projects and entry into revenue service.
The Transportation Secretary has created a team at the DOT to coordinate the Department’s role in implementation of the Recovery Act. The team, known as the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) team, is composed of officials from across the Department’s operating administrations and offices. The purpose of the TIGER team is to make sure that DOT’s portion of recovery funding goes out to states and localities as quickly as possible. The team will develop reporting standards to accurately track the money as it is being spent and ensure that all accountability requirements are being met. Urging the Department of Transportation to apply a “green screen” that would prioritize funding for projects that will bring our transportation system to a state of good repair, reduce energy use, lower greenhouse gas emission, and/or lower household transportation costs, would maximize the benefits of this new discretionary program.
Department of Transportation, Office of the Secretary Statute: 49 U.S.C. Chapter 53 (public transit projects)
Approximately $412.5 million—3% of 50% of a total appropriation of $27.5 billion—must be used for Transportation Enhancement activities. Funds apportioned within 21 days using STP formula and federal-aid highway allocations. Priorities for 1) projects projected to be complete within a 3-year time frame, and 2) located within economically distressed areas (as defined by section 301 of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965). 30% of funding goes to urban areas that are not subject to the time limits for use.
Transportation enhancement activities (defined at 23 USC 101(a)(35)) include bike and pedestrian facilities, safety and educational activities for pedestrians and bicyclists, landscaping and other scenic beautification, rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation buildings, structures and facilities, preservation of abandoned railway corridors (including for pedestrian or bike trails); inventory, control, and removal of outdoor advertising, and environmental mitigation to address water pollution due to highway runoff and to reduce vehicle-caused wildlife mortality while maintaining habitat connectivity. Funds may also be used for “surface transportation workforce development, training, and education” (STWDTE) that benefits eligible Transportation Enhancement activities. STWDTE activities are those associated with surface transportation career awareness, student transportation career preparation, and training and professional development for surface transportation workers, including activities for women and minorities, and includes tuition and educational expenses of state and local transportation agency employees, employee professional development, student internships, university or community college support, and education activities, including outreach, to develop interest and promote participation in surface transportation careers.
For additional information on use of funds, see DOT October 2008 Guidance for Transportation Enhancements. Recovery Act also provides $20 million for disadvantaged business enterprises to obtain bid, payment, and performance bonds. See DOT’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program for details on registering, local/state contacts, and additional information.
Transportation Enhancement Activities, including Pedestrian and Bicycling Facilities, Using Highway Investment Funds
Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration Purpose: Restoration, repair, construction, and other activities for projects meeting eligibility requirements of Surface Transportation Program (STP). Statute: 23 U.S.C. 101(a) (35), 104(b)(3), 133(b)(8) Regulations: 23 CFR Part 652 and Subchapter H CFDA: 20.205
Supportive services that will increase the effectiveness of approved training programs. State highway agencies must give preference to the following types of services in the order listed: 1) Services related to recruiting, counseling, transportation, physical examinations, remedial training, with special emphasis upon increasing training opportunities for members of minority groups and women; 2) Services in connection with the administration of on-the-job training programs being sponsored by individual or groups of contractors and/ or minority groups and women’s groups; 3) Services designed to develop the capabilities of prospective trainees for undertaking on-the-job training; 4) Services in connection with providing a continuation of training during periods of seasonal shutdown; 5) Follow-up services to ascertain outcome of training being provided.
Under current law, State Departments of Transportation must operate apprenticeship and training programs targeted to move women, minorities, and disadvantaged persons into journey level positions to ensure that a competent workforce is available to meet highway construction hiring needs, and to address the historical underrepresentation of members of these groups in highway construction skilled crafts.
On-the-Job Training Supportive Services for Highway Construction Projects
Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration Purpose: Increase the overall effectiveness of the State highway agencies’ approved training programs by encouraging completion of training programs and seeking other ways to increase the training opportunities for minorities and women. Statute: 23 U.S.C. 140(b) Regulations: 23 CFR Part 230
$8 billion DOT must give priority for development of intercity high-speed rail service. Funds available through September 30, 2012. May fund up to 100% of a project (current law requires 50% match).
Capital improvements to improve intercity passenger rail service. Capital improvements include the purchase of passenger rolling stock (i.e., train cars), the improvement of existing tracks to allow for higher maximum speeds, the addition or lengthening of passing tracks to increase capacity, the improvement of interlockings to increase capacity and reliability, and the improvement of signaling systems to increase capacity and maximum speeds, and improve safety.
DOT must submit a strategic plan to Congress within 60 days that describes how funds will be used to improve and deploy high-speed passenger rail systems, and issue interim guidance to applicants within 120 days covering grant terms, conditions, and procedures until final regulations are issued.
Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration Statute: Section 501 of P.L. 110-432; 49 U.S.C. 24401 CFDA: 20.317
Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration, National Railroad Passenger Corporation Statute: Section 101(c) of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 CFDA: 20.315
$1.3 billion ($450 million for capital grants for security improvements) For non-security grants, priority must be given to repair, rehabilitation, or upgrade of railroad assets or infrastructure, and for capital projects that expand passenger rail capacity including the rehabilitation of rolling stock.
Capital improvements. Funds may not be used to subsidize operating losses.
Funds must be awarded within 30 days of enactment.
$6.9 billion Formula Grants: 80% through FTA’s urbanized formula; 10% through rural formula, and 10% through growing states and high-density formula. See FTA’s preliminary estimates of allocations. $100 million for discretionary grants to public transit agencies for capital projects that will reduce energy consumption or greenhouse gas emissions. May fund up to 100% of a project.
Capital projects as defined in 49 USC 5302(a)(1), including to purchase buses and equipment needed to provide additional public transportation service and to make improvements to intermodal and transit facilities.
FTA guidance on use of Recovery Act. Although these funds are limited to capital projects, Public Advocates notes that the funding for Urbanized Area formula grants (5307 funds) can be used by transit agencies for “preventive maintenance,” including the major costs of repairing buses, trains and other transit vehicles, such as engine or transmission overhauls. These costs can constitute a significant portion of a transit agency’s operating costs. However, some Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) have restrictions on the allowable percentage of 5307 funds that can be used for preventive maintenance. A “fixed guideway” refers to any transit service that uses exclusive or controlled rights-of-way or rails, entirely or in part. The term includes heavy rail, commuter rail, light rail, monorail, trolleybus, aerial tramway, inclined plane, cable car, automated guideway transit, ferryboats, that portion of motor bus service operated on exclusive or controlled rights-of-way, and high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) lanes.
Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration Statute: 49 U.S.C. 5302(a)(1); 5307 (urbanized area formula grants) CFDA: 20.507; 20.509
Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration Purpose: Assist in financing the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, and improvement of facilities, rolling stock and equipment for use in public transportation service. Statute: 49 U.S.C. 5309 CFDA: 20.500
$750 million Funds will be distributed through the existing fixed guideway formula. See FTA’s preliminary estimates of allocations. May fund up to 100% of a project.
Eligible purposes are capital projects to modernize or improve existing fixed guideway systems, including purchase and rehabilitation of rolling stock, track, line equipment, structures, signals and communications, power equipment and substations, passenger stations and terminals, security equipment and systems, maintenance facilities and equipment, operational support equipment including computer hardware and software, system extensions, and preventive maintenance.
$750 million Discretionary grants for New Starts and Small Starts Projects. Priority for projects already in construction or able to obligate funds within 150 days.
Construction of new fixed guideway systems or extensions to existing fixed guideway systems. Eligible purposes are light rail, rapid rail (heavy rail), commuter rail, monorail, automated fixed guideway system (such as a “people mover”), or a busway/high occupancy vehicle (HOV) facility, or an extension of any of these.
No mandated “use it or lose it” provision suggests that advocates may have more time to push for equitable projects.
Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration Statute: 49 U.S.C. 5309(m)(2)(A) CFDA: 20.500
Department of Defense, Facilities and Construction
Army: $1.47 billion Navy: $657 million Marine Corps: $113.9 million Air Force: $1.1 billion Army Reserve: $98.3 million Navy Reserve: $55 million Marine Corps Reserve: $39.9 million Air Force Reserve: $13.2 million Army National Guard: $266.3 million Air National Guard: $25.8 million Recovery Act also provides funds to the Corps of Engineers for environmental infrastructure projects. Act also provides $100 million to the Navy and Marine Corps for energy conservation and alternative energy projects and $120 million defense-wide for the Energy Conservation Investment Program.
Improve, repair, and modernize Department of Defense facilities, restore and modernize real property to include barracks, and invest in the energy efficiency of Department of Defense facilities.
$155 million Project Grants: Federal agency provides project grants to sponsoring local organizations of authorized watershed projects (may include local entities, nonprofits, states and U.S. territories). Funding must be used for projects that can be fully funded and completed with the funds appropriated in the act, and for activities that can commence promptly following enactment. Act also includes $145 million for purchasing and restoring floodplain easements.
Watershed protection, flood prevention, agricultural water management, sedimentation control, public water based fish, wildlife, recreation; and extending long-term credit to help local interests with their share of costs.
Applicants submit plan to the federal NRCS, and notify state’s Single Point of Contact for Federal Assistance, if any, of intent to apply. Sponsors must conduct public meetings to assure local involvement. See National Watershed Manual for more information on planning and applications for assistance.
Department of Agriculture, National Resources Conservation Services Purpose: Provide technical and financial assistance in carrying out works of improvement to protect, develop, and utilize the land and water resources in watersheds. Statute: Watershed Prevention and Flood Prevention Act; 16 U.S.C. 1001 et seq. Regulations: 7 CFR Part 622 CFDA: 10.904
$50 million Project Grants: Federal agency to sponsoring local organizations for existing watershed projects that include dams. Funding must be used for projects that can be fully funded and completed with the funds appropriated in the act, and for activities that can commence promptly following enactment.
Sharing costs of watershed rehabilitation projects, including reconstruction or decommissioning of the dam and relocation or flood proofing of downstream property.
Department of Agriculture, National Resources Conservation Services Purpose: Provide assistance to rehabilitate dams originally constructed with assistance of USDA watershed programs. CFDA: 10.916
Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water
Environmental Protection Agency Statute: Title VI of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act; Section 1452 of the Safe Drinking Water Act CFDA: 66.458 (CWSRF), 66.468 (DWSRF)
$4 billion for clean water state revolving fund programs. $2 billion for drinking water state revolving fund programs. Up to 1.5% of revolving funds may be reserved by EPA for tribes. Revolving funds not subject to matching or cost-share requirements in current law. Revolving fund projects must be under contract or construction within 12 months.
State Revolving Funds: Low-interest loans to fund water quality protection projects, including for wastewater treatment, nonpoint source pollution control, watershed and estuary management, and drinking-water-system infrastructure improvements. At least 20% of the revolving funds must be used for projects to address green infrastructure, water or energy efficiency improvements, or other environmentally innovative activities.
FY2007 Allocation of Clean Water State Revolving Funds FY2008 Distribution of DWSRF Allotment
$1.38 billion for rural water and waste disposal (project grants and direct loans to local public entities, non-profits basis, and tribes).
Rural Water: Loans, grants and loan guarantees for drinking water, sanitary sewer, solid waste, and storm drainage facilities in rural areas and cities and towns of 10,000 or less. Grants to nonprofit organizations to provide technical assistance and training to assist rural communities with their water, wastewater, and solid waste problems.
Department of Agriculture must use, where practicable, the Public Lands Corps, Youth Conservation Corps, Student Conservation Association, Job Corps and other related partnerships with federal, state, local, tribal, or non-profit groups that serve young adults.
Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service, USDA Water and Environmental Programs
Statute: Section 381E(d)(2) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act CFDA: 10.760
$1 billion At least $126 million must be used for projects authorized under the Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse program. For these projects, applicant must be a legally organized nonfederal entity, such as an irrigation district or municipality. At least $60 million must be used for rural water projects and expended primarily on water intake and treatment facilities. $10 million must be used for a bureau-wide inspection of canal programs in urbanized areas. $50 million may be used for programs, projects, and activities authorized by Central Utah Completion Act. $50 million may be used for programs, projects, and activities authorized by California BayDelta Restoration Act.
Capital improvement projects under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Reclamation, including projects to provide clean, reliable drinking water to rural areas and for water reuse and recycling projects to ensure adequate water supply to western localities impacted by drought. For Title XVI projects, applicant must be a legally organized nonfederal entity, such as an irrigation district or municipality.
For Title XVI projects, see this manual. Funding likely to go primarily to projects already authorized by the Bureau of Reclamation for funding. Bureau of Reclamation currently has a backlog of more than $1 billion in authorized rural water projects and more than $600 million in authorized water reuse and recycling projects.
Department of Interior, Bureau of Reclamation Purpose: Development, management, and restoration of water and related natural resources in the 17 western states. Includes funds for operating and maintaining existing facilities to obtain the greatest overall levels of benefits, to protect public safety, and to conduct studies on ways to improve the use of water and related natural resources. CFDA: 15.504
$5.127 billion for Defense Environmental Cleanup; $483 million for Non-defense Environmental Clean.
Department of Energy Environmental Management Program: Defense and Non-Defense Environmental Cleanup Management of Lands and Resources, Construction, and Wildland Fire Management
$320 million ($125 million for lands and resources management, $180 million for construction, and $15 million for hazardous fuels reduction).
1) Maintenance, rehabilitation, and restoration of facilities, property, trails, and lands, and for remediation of abandoned mines and wells. 2) Construction, reconstruction, decommissioning and repair of roads, bridges, trails, property, and facilities and for energy efficient retrofits of existing facilities. 3) Hazardous fuels reduction.
Projects must use, where practicable, the Public Lands Corps, Youth Conservation Corps, Student Conservation Association, Job Corps and other related partnerships with Federal, State, local, tribal, or nonprofit groups that serve young adults. BLM National Training Center
$280 million ($165 million for resources management and $115 million for construction).
1) Deferred maintenance, construction, and capital improvement projects on national wildlife refuges and national fish hatcheries and for high priority habitat restoration projects. 2) Construction, reconstruction, and repair of roads, bridges, property, and facilities and for energy efficient retrofits of existing facilities.
Projects must use, where practicable, the Public Lands Corps, Youth Conservation Corps, Student Conservation Association, Job Corps and other related partnerships with federal, state, local, tribal, or nonprofit groups that serve young adults. List of National Fish Hatcheries List of Fish and Wildlife Conservation field offices Website of National Wildlife Refuge System, which includes 550 refuges and 37 wetland management districts.
Resource Management and Construction, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services
Department of the Interior Purpose: Conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats. Statute: Various
National Park Service: Construction, Operations, and Historic Preservation
$589 million for construction $146 million for operations $15 million for historic preservation fund (match requirement waived).
Construction: repair and restoration of roads; construction of facilities, including energy-efficient retrofits of existing facilities; equipment replacement; preservation and repair of historical resources within the National Park System; cleanup of abandoned mine sites on park lands; and other critical infrastructure projects. Operations: deferred maintenance of facilities and trails and for other critical repair and rehabilitation projects. Historic Preservation Fund: historic preservation projects at historically black colleges and universities.
Projects must use, where practicable, the Public Lands Corps, Youth Conservation Corps, Student Conservation Association, Job Corps and other related partnerships with Federal, State, local, tribal, or nonprofit groups that serve young adults. NPS Budget Website
Remedial actions: actions taken to prevent or minimize the release of hazardous substances so that they do not cause substantial danger to present or future public health or the environment.
See National Priorities List state-bystate list of national priorities among the known releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. CERCLA mandates that specific community involvement activities occur at certain points during the Superfund process. Site teams must develop a community involvement plan. See Superfund Community Involvement handbook. Superfund Job Training Initiative website
Hazardous Substance Superfund Remediation Program
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response Purpose: Reduce and eliminate threats to human health and the environment that result from releases or potential releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, and contaminants from abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. Statute: Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) Regulations: 40 CFR 300.420
$200 million Formula grants to states and tribes. State matching requirement waived for these funds.
Oversight and corrective action for petroleum releases from federally regulated underground storage tanks.
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, Office of Underground Storage Tanks Purpose: Provides money for overseeing and enforcing corrective action taken by a responsible party, who is the owner or operator of the leaking UST; provides money for cleanups at UST sites where the owner or operator is unknown, unwilling, or unable to respond, or which require emergency action. Statute: Section 9003(h) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act Regulations: 40 CFR Part 31 CFDA: 66.805
$100 million Project grants (Cooperative Agreements). No cost-share requirement.
Environmental site assessment and cleanup (of sites not listed or proposed for Superfund listing). Funds will capitalize revolving funds and provide low-interest loans, job training grants, and technical assistance to local governments and non-profit organizations.
Brownfields sites are defined as “real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.” A number of states have developed incentive programs to encourage investment in brownfield development.
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization Purpose: Provide training, research, and technical assistance to individuals and organizations to facilitate the inventory of brownfields properties, assessments, cleanup of brownfields properties, community involvement or site preparation. Statute: 42 U.S.C. 9601(39) and 42 U.S.C. 9604(k)(6) CFDA: 66.814
International Boundary and Water Commission: Water Quantity Program
Purpose: Provide binational solutions to issues that arise during the application of United States Mexico treaties regarding boundary demarcation, national ownership of waters, sanitation, water quality, and flood control in the border region.
Upgrade flood control levees on the Rio Grande River on the United States border with Mexico and interior floodway levees in the United States. Support identified urgent needs of the Colorado River Boundary and Capacity Preservation Project.
Secretary of State must provide Congress a detailed spending plan for funds within 90 days.
$53.6 billion allocated as follows: 1) one-half of 1% to “outlying areas”; 2) up to $14 million for administration and oversight by ED; 3) $5 billion for State Incentive Grants (50% of which state must subgrant to local school districts); and 4) remainder for formula grants to states. State formula grants allocated as follows: -61% based on each state’s population of individuals ages 5 through 24 -39% on each state’s total population. To receive formula funds, governor must submit an application to ED that includes a description of how state intends to use its allocation, an assurance that it will maintain education funding at FY2006 levels or greater, and an assurance that it will address inequities in the distribution of highly qualified teachers between high- and lowpoverty schools, and ensure that low-income and minority children are not taught at higher rates than other children by inexperienced, unqualified, or out-of-field teachers.
Governors must use 18.2% of allocations for “public safety and other government services,” i.e., basically anything government does. Specifically includes assistance for elementary and secondary education and “public institutions of higher education,” and for modernization, renovation, or repair of public school facilities and institutions of higher education facilities, including modernization, renovation, and repairs that are consistent with a recognized green building rating system. States must use at least 81.8% of their formula allocations to support elementary, secondary and higher education, and, as applicable, early education programs and services. These funds must first be used to restore and maintain state support for education (elementary and secondary education and public institutions of higher education) in each of SFYs 2009-2011 to the greater of the SFY 2008 or 2009 funding level. Any remaining funds shall be used to provide subgrants to local school districts based on their funding under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Local school districts may use funds for any activity authorized by ESEA, IDEA, or Perkins Act, and for school modernization, renovation and repair, including those consistent with a recognized green building rating system. Public institutions of higher education—including community colleges—may use funds for educational and general expenditures, and in such a way to mitigate the need to raise tuition and fees, or for modernization, renovation, or repairs of facilities that are used for instruction, research or student housing.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has written a brief analysis of the Fund that includes state-bystate estimates of allocation levels. The U.S. Green Building Council maintains a website with a range of resources on building green schools. For additional information and strategies for greening schools go to the Green Schools Initiative.
State Fiscal Stabilization Fund, Title XIV
Department of Education Statutes: 20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq. (Elementary and Secondary Education Act); 20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq. (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act); Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (20 USC 2301)
Overall Purposes (Sec. 3)
General Recovery Act Provisions
The President and federal agency and department heads must manage and expend funds to achieve the following purposes: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Preserve and create jobs and promote economic recovery. Assist those most impacted by the recession. Provide investments needed to increase economic efficiency by spurring technological advances in science and health. Invest in transportation, environmental protection, and other infrastructure that will provide long-term economic benefits. Stabilize state and local government budgets, in order to minimize and avoid reductions in essential services and counterproductive state and local tax increases.
Accountability and Transparency (Title XV)
Sec. 1511 requires governors, mayors, or other chief executives to certify that infrastructure investments have received the full review and vetting required by law, including a description of the investment, the estimated total cost, and the amount of covered funds to be used. The certification must be posted on a website and linked to Recovery.gov. Recipients of funds for “infrastructure investment” must: 1) give preference to activities that can be started and completed expeditiously, including a goal of using at least 50% of the funds for activities that can be initiated within 180 days; 2) use grant funds in a manner that maximizes job creation and economic benefit. Funds appropriated are available until September 30, 2010, unless expressly provided otherwise.
Preference for Quick-Start Infrastructure Activities (Sec. 1602)
Funds Generally Available Until September 30, 2010 (Sec. 1603) Wage Rate Requirements (Sec. 1606)
All “laborers and mechanics employed by contractors and subcontractors on projects funded under this Act must be paid prevailing wages”—wages and fringe benefits at rates not less than those prevailing on projects of a similar character in the locality as determined by DOL, pursuant to the Davis-Bacon Act. For funds provided to any state or state agency, the governor must certify within 45 days that the state will request and use funds provided. If any funds are not accepted by the governor, then acceptance by the state legislature shall be sufficient. In fiscal year 2009, federal agency heads may transfer up to 1% of any appropriation in this act between appropriations funded in this act of that department or agency. This authority is in addition to any other transfer authority available under current law. It does not apply to appropriations in this act that include express transfer authority in this act.
Funding Distribution to States (Sec. 1607)
Transfer Authority (Sec. 1612)
Tax Credits and Financing to Build an Inclusive and Green Economy
n addition to appropriated funds, the Recovery Act also includes billions of dollars in tax credits and other financing incentives that can be used to create green jobs. While a full discussion of these provisions is beyond the scope of this guide, some of the key provisions are:
Production Tax Credit for Renewable Energy (PTC)—Extension of Eligible Time Period: Established in 1992, the PTC is an incentive
to producers of renewable electricity—including wind, biomass, and geothermal—for each kilowatt-hour of energy they produce. The credit is available during the first 10 years that a facility producing renewable energy is in operation. In 2008, the credit for wind, closed-loop biomass, and geothermal energy was 2.1 cents per kilowatthour of energy produced. The PTC was limited to facilities in operation before 2010 or 2011 (depending on the type of power). The Recovery Act extends this to 2012 (for wind energy) and 2013 (for most other forms) and is estimated to provide a $13 billion subsidy for renewable energy production over the next decade.
in clean renewable energy (CREBs) and qualified energy conservation bonds (QECBs). CREBs can be used to finance facilities that generate renewable energy. QECBs can be used to finance a range of projects, including capital projects to reduce energy consumption in public buildings, mass commuting facilities, and related facilities that reduce the consumption of energy, including expenditures to reduce pollution from vehicles used for mass commuting; demonstration projects designed to promote the commercialization of green-building technology; and public education campaigns to promote energy efficiency.
School Construction Bonds: The Recovery
Act authorizes the issuance by state and local governments of $22.4 billion in new bonds for the construction, rehabilitation, and repair of public schools and the acquisition of land on which a school will be built, and $1.4 billion in “qualified zone academy” bonds (public schools located in empowerment zones or enterprise communities that cooperate with businesses to enhance curriculum and increase graduation rates) in 2009 and 2010.
Increase in Value of Energy-Efficiency Tax Credits for Homeowners: The Recovery
Act triples the tax credit for various energyefficiency improvements, including installation of insulation and energy-efficient roofing, windows, doors, and heating and cooling systems, and extends it through tax year 2010. The legislation also removes current caps on the 30 percent tax credit for solar water heating.
Recovery Zone Bonds: The Recovery Act
authorizes $25 billion in recovery zone economic development and facility bonds. Recovery zone bonds may be used for infrastructure, job training, education, and economic development in areas within the boundaries of the state, city, or county that has significant poverty, unemployment, or home foreclosures. These bonds will be allocated to states by a formula based on job losses. States then allocate the bonds to counties and large municipalities (places with a population of more than 100,000 people).
Energy-Related Bonds for State and Local Governments: State and local governments
are authorized to issue an additional $4 billion
WIA and Weatherization Assistance Programs—Preliminary Estimates of Allocations
WIA Adult Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York 5,155,000 1,696,000 7,693,000 5,124,000 80,927,000 4,841,000 4,429,000 1,247,000 1,559,000 19,644,000 13,252,000 1,247,000 1,247,000 26,051,000 9,488,000 1,571,000 2,729,000 8,275,000 8,791,000 1,826,000 4,959,000 10,175,000 31,169,000 7,022,000 7,851,000 10,588,000 1,247,000 1,247,000 3,426,000 1,247,000 9,481,000 2,687,000 31,834,000 WIA Youth 11,765,000 3,976,000 18,011,000 12,187,000 188,507,000 11,995,000 11,146,000 2,948,000 4,010,000 43,306,000 31,678,000 2,948,000 2,948,000 62,832,000 23,917,000 5,224,000 7,194,000 17,889,000 20,214,000 4,337,000 11,703,000 25,089,000 74,696,000 17,969,000 18,876,000 25,657,000 2,948,000 2,974,000 7,647,000 2,948,000 21,045,000 6,299,000 72,249,000 WIA Dislocated Worker 10,635,000 2,859,000 14,028,000 6,060,000 178,870,000 11,660,000 11,997,000 1,644,000 3,057,000 64,930,000 35,307,000 1,742,000 2,283,000 55,242,000 21,130,000 4,212,000 4,195,000 15,084,000 7,463,000 3,685,000 9,072,000 17,107,000 63,237,000 16,898,000 11,454,000 20,821,000 1,415,000 2,089,000 11,536,000 2,017,000 26,363,000 2,387,000 53,497,000 Weatherization Assistance Program 73,930,000 19,190,000 65,440,000 49,640,000 189,650,000 82,600,000 65,310,000 8,520,000 14,060,000 184,340,000 127,300,000 4,410,000 31,470,000 250,030,000 135,410,000 83,710,000 58,030,000 73,920,000 52,670,000 43,630,000 62,880,000 125,220,000 251,750,000 137,830,000 51,050,000 131,730,000 28,140,000 43,150,000 38,010,000 24,020,000 121,180,000 30,790,000 404,230,000
WIA Adult North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Outlying Areas 10,442,000 1,247,000 23,623,000 3,687,000 6,392,000 16,713,000 20,332,000 2,128,000 10,522,000 1,247,000 10,945,000 34,692,000 1,816,000 1,247,000 5,280,000 9,792,000 2,434,000 5,236,000 1,247,000 1,250,000
WIA Youth 25,324,000 2,948,000 56,726,000 8,796,000 15,220,000 41,058,000 42,886,000 5,668,000 24,962,000 2,948,000 25,353,000 82,829,000 5,118,000 2,948,000 13,114,000 23,682,000 5,397,000 13,948,000 2,948,000 21,000,000
WIA Dislocated Worker 35,805,000 739,000 47,164,000 4,855,000 13,834,000 34,243,000 23,798,000 6,405,000 19,914,000 769,000 22,870,000 43,341,000 2,851,000 1,410,000 11,378,000 17,848,000 2,885,000 12,945,000 471,000 2,500,000
Weatherization Assistance Program 134,670,000 26,890,000 273,820,000 62,860,000 40,140,000 260,570,000 20,670,000 60,440,000 25,670,000 101,940,000 336,740,000 39,050,000 17,560,000 96,370,000 62,180,000 39,630,000 146,140,000 11,960,000
Outlying Areas and Bureau of Indian Affairs
Source: Congressional Research Service and National Community Action Foundation
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