CDFA - Energy Finance Resource Center

Financing clean energy is a fast-growing field, and successfully financing energy can catalyze the economic development efforts of communities nationwide. This section contains resources on understanding the basics of energy financing.

Financing Low-Carbon Buildings and Energy Efficiency in the Green Bond Market Members only

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There are substantial opportunities to leverage green bonds to finance low-carbon buildings and energy efficiency in the country. Issuance across the world shows that capital markets can be accessed to finance energy efficiency and buildings. Financing climate adaptation and resilience also presents opportunities.

Solar Lending Practices by Community and Regional Financial Institutions Members only

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Current projections of solar photovoltaic (PV) system costs and deployment in the United States indicate substantial capital requirements over the next 30 years and beyond. Concurrently, community and regional financial institutions (CRFIs), including community banks and credit unions, collectively hold $3.6 trillion in assets. These institutions could provide a significant portion of the required PV capital while creating a large investment opportunity for themselves. Looking ahead, access to additional credit and market information is critical for accelerating the role of CRFIs and other financial institutions in supporting U.S. PV growth.

Energy Investment Partnerships: What Is It & How to Get Started

CDFA and the U.S. Department of Energy have partnered to produce the Energy Investment Partnerships Webinar Series and a set of four Fact Sheets. Each Fact Sheet will summarize the best practices covered in the corresponding webinar and provides quick and easy access to the best practices and information available in the webinar.

Solar Energy Investment Tax Credits Members only

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This fact sheet from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency provides a details on the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) program as it relates to solar energy. The sheet overviews the program and discusses how the tax credits can benefit banks.

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-Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)

Looking for the PACE Resource Center? Click Here!

CDFA-Bricker PACE Webinar Series: Best Practices for Marketing & Selling PACE Across All Market Sectors

Now that the PACE marketplace has been “built,” how does it become mainstream so that all property owners know about PACE? This workshop explored proven methods for marketing and selling PACE to contractors, economic development agencies, commercial real estate professionals, and ultimately the property owner.

CDFA // BNY Mellon Development Finance Webcast Series: Preserving Local Economies with Energy & Water Finance

During this installment of the CDFA // BNY Mellon Development Finance Webcast Series, presenters discussed how energy and water finance programs can be positioned to meet community infrastructure needs and support efficient resource use while also stabilizing local economies in the face of climate, health, and economic-related crises.

CDFA-Bricker PACE Webinar Series: How PACE Gets Utilized Across All Market Segments

Development Finance Toolbox | Energy Finance | Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)

Each market segment has its own view of why PACE is valuable and this workshop provided insights and details into each.

Retroactive PACE Financing: Eligible States

Energy Finance | Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)

This map includes states where projects are eligible for Retroactive PACE financing and includes a summary of state-by-state guidelines.

CDFA-Bricker PACE Webinar Series: Retroactive PACE

Development Finance Toolbox | Energy Finance | Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)

During this installment of the 2021 CDFA-Bricker PACE Webinar Series: Retroactive PACE, we explored the in-depth consideration for making Retroactive PACE a reality for an eligible property owner.

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-Renewable Energy Investment Tax Credit (ITC)

COVID-19 Rebirth Using Proven Tools

This white paper looks at how 5 successful programs can be used to finance the recovery from COVID-19. The 5 programs are C-PACE and R-PACE, State Historic Tax Credits, State Opportunity Zones Programs, State New Markets Tax Credits, and Solar and Energy Tax Credits (ITCs).

Summary of the GREEN Act Discussion Draft Members only

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This is a section-by-section summary of the Growing Renewable Energy and Efficiency Now ("GREEN") Act. The GREEN Act would extend the renewable energy production tax credit (PTC) and investment tax credit (ITC) until 2024. It would also extend the Section 25D, Section 179D and Section 45L energy-efficiency deductions and credits through 2024, as well as create energy credits for manufacturers.

Reducing Energy Burden for Low-income Residents in Multifamily Housing with Solar Energy Members only

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When paired with energy efficiency measures, cost effective solar energy systems can support state and local program administrators’ goals to reduce low-income household energy burden. Energy burden is the share or percentage of annual household income that is used to pay annual home heating and cooling costs.

Solar Lending Practices by Community and Regional Financial Institutions Members only

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Current projections of solar photovoltaic (PV) system costs and deployment in the United States indicate substantial capital requirements over the next 30 years and beyond. Concurrently, community and regional financial institutions (CRFIs), including community banks and credit unions, collectively hold $3.6 trillion in assets. These institutions could provide a significant portion of the required PV capital while creating a large investment opportunity for themselves. Looking ahead, access to additional credit and market information is critical for accelerating the role of CRFIs and other financial institutions in supporting U.S. PV growth.

Direct Federal Financial Interventions and Subsidies in Energy in Fiscal Year 2016 Members only

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This report—an update based on Fiscal Year 2016 data—continues a series of U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports on federal direct financial interventions and subsidies into energy markets. EIA assigns within-scope U.S. tax and direct expenditures to a set of discrete energy system categories.

View more Renewable Energy Investment Tax Credit (ITC) Resources

-Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit (PTC)

Summary of the GREEN Act Discussion Draft Members only

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This is a section-by-section summary of the Growing Renewable Energy and Efficiency Now ("GREEN") Act. The GREEN Act would extend the renewable energy production tax credit (PTC) and investment tax credit (ITC) until 2024. It would also extend the Section 25D, Section 179D and Section 45L energy-efficiency deductions and credits through 2024, as well as create energy credits for manufacturers.

Direct Federal Financial Interventions and Subsidies in Energy in Fiscal Year 2016 Members only

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This report—an update based on Fiscal Year 2016 data—continues a series of U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports on federal direct financial interventions and subsidies into energy markets. EIA assigns within-scope U.S. tax and direct expenditures to a set of discrete energy system categories.

Minnesota Clean Energy: Economic Impacts and Policy Drivers Members only

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Energy Finance

A new University of Minnesota study projects that the extension of the PTC and ITC programs may, in combination with other factors, create up to 5,000 jobs in the renewable energy industry in Minnesota.

Brownfields to Renewables: Redeveloping Contaminated Lands with Renewable Generation Facilities Members only

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Bjorn Jensen's 2010 Thesis for MIT focuses on using renewable energy generation to facilitate brownfield remediation, examining three successful and one unsuccessful case study to understand best practices and common hurdles.

Clean Energy & Energy Finance: Overcoming Challenges & Delivering Success Members only

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Kate Tompkins with Squire Sanders addresses challenges in clean energy and energy finance. Furthermore, Tompkins touches on important financing considerations, and assessing various sources of capital to find the best match for your particular project.

View more Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit (PTC) Resources

-State Energy Tax Credits

California Rural Infrastructure Finance Guidebook

CALED knows from its work supporting economic development throughout California that infrastructure financing is a challenge for many rural communities. CALED collaborated with CDFA to develop this guidebook to meet the need for a resource to help build capacity in those areas, as well as move economic development projects forward.

Available CFA Resources - New York Regional Economic Development Councils Members only

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In 2011, Governor Cuomo created ten Regional Economic Development Councils (REDC) and the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) to advance the administration’s efforts to improve New York’s business climate and expand economic growth. This 2019 document outlines information about each agency’s grant programs, including eligibility, scoring criteria, applicant requirements, and agency contact information.

Energy Investment Partnerships: Product Offerings & Market Assessment

Factsheet 2 of the Energy Investment Partnerships covers clean energy through bond markets, credit enhancements and capital markets, property assessed clean energy, and market assessment.

Measuring Success in the States

Energy Finance | Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) | State Finance Program | U.S. Dept. of Energy (DOE) | Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)

Sandy Fazeli from the National Association of State Energy Officials will present ways some states have financed and already seen success with energy programs on the state levels

Making it Count: Understanding the Value of Energy Efficiency Financing Programs Funded by Utility Customers Members only

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Energy Finance | Green Finance | Local Finance Program | State Finance Program

The State and Local Energy Efficiency Action Network examines various policy and regulatory mechanisms that can be used to ensure that efficiency financing initiatives provide value for society and protection for consumers. Featuring case studies from around the United States, Making it Count explores emerging questions that jurisdictions will need to answer when considering an increased reliance on financing.

View more State Energy Tax Credits Resources

-Energy Revolving Loan Funds

The Case for the Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator Members only

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These are the slides from the Coalition for Green Capital's virtual presentation, "The Case for the Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator".

Measuring Success in the States

Energy Finance | Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) | State Finance Program | U.S. Dept. of Energy (DOE) | Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)

Sandy Fazeli from the National Association of State Energy Officials will present ways some states have financed and already seen success with energy programs on the state levels

Local EIP Example of Evaluating Impact

.Duanne Andrade from Solar Energy Loan Fund talk about lessons learned and the success seen from SELF as they have adapted to meet the needs of the community.

Opportunities in Debt and Capital Financing Markets Members only

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Bond Finance | Economic Development | Energy Finance | Green Finance

Teveia Barnes from IBank gives a brief overview of IBank's various financial programs.

Financing for Energy Efficiency and The SAVES Platform Members only

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Greg Montgomery of Abundant Power provides an overview of several programs involving energy efficiency financing. This includes PACE and SC Saves.

View more Energy Revolving Loan Funds Resources

-Energy Efficiency Programs

The Case for the Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator Members only

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These are the slides from the Coalition for Green Capital's virtual presentation, "The Case for the Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator".

California Rural Infrastructure Finance Guidebook

CALED knows from its work supporting economic development throughout California that infrastructure financing is a challenge for many rural communities. CALED collaborated with CDFA to develop this guidebook to meet the need for a resource to help build capacity in those areas, as well as move economic development projects forward.

Precedents for the National Climate Bank - Federal Financing via Independent Institutions Members only

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The National Climate Bank Act of 2019 was introduced in the U.S. Senate on July 8, and in the House on December 12, 2019. This paper discusses their lessons and precedents for the National Climate Bank, including relevant details of their formation, legal status, capitalization, governance, mission, and accomplishments.

Clean Energy For Low Income Communities Toolkit Members only

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Community Development | Energy Finance | Green Finance | U.S. Dept. of Energy (DOE)

The Clean Energy for Low Income Communities Accelerator (CELICA) was a voluntary partnership between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and state and local governments to lower energy bills for low-income communities.

RI Clean Energy Industry Report 2018 Members only

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Energy Finance

With aggressive targets, Rhode Island’s overall clean energy economy continues to grow. The industry’s workforce has grown by 72 percent since 2014, resulting in 6,650 new jobs across the state.

View more Energy Efficiency Program Resources

-State Energy Finance Programs

California Rural Infrastructure Finance Guidebook

CALED knows from its work supporting economic development throughout California that infrastructure financing is a challenge for many rural communities. CALED collaborated with CDFA to develop this guidebook to meet the need for a resource to help build capacity in those areas, as well as move economic development projects forward.

NMEDD - Economic Development Innovation Task Force Report Members only

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In 2019, the Governor signed House Memorial 16 directing the Economic Development Department (NMEDD) to bring together stakeholders and convene an Economic Development Innovation Task Force to spur collaboration and innovative discussions on methods to create new economic development concepts and ideas to enhance New Mexico's economy. This report is the result.

Precedents for the National Climate Bank - Federal Financing via Independent Institutions Members only

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The National Climate Bank Act of 2019 was introduced in the U.S. Senate on July 8, and in the House on December 12, 2019. This paper discusses their lessons and precedents for the National Climate Bank, including relevant details of their formation, legal status, capitalization, governance, mission, and accomplishments.

Available CFA Resources - New York Regional Economic Development Councils Members only

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In 2011, Governor Cuomo created ten Regional Economic Development Councils (REDC) and the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) to advance the administration’s efforts to improve New York’s business climate and expand economic growth. This 2019 document outlines information about each agency’s grant programs, including eligibility, scoring criteria, applicant requirements, and agency contact information.

Regional Resilience Toolkit: 5 Steps to Build Large Scale Resilience to Natural Disaster Members only

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Cities, regions, and states across the country are facing natural disasters that can have devastating effects on life, property, the economy, and ecosystems. Climate change is already having observable effects on the environment, and past conditions are no longer a reliable indication of the type or extent of disasters communities will face in the future.

View more State Energy Finance Program Resources

Search the map below for energy finance programs by state. This specialized search is part of CDFA's State Financing Program Directory, the only online resource cataloging the development finance programs offered by state governments. Click on a state to see a sample of state energy programs available. Login with a CDFA Member account at the top of the page to view full results.

The Case for the Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator Members only

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These are the slides from the Coalition for Green Capital's virtual presentation, "The Case for the Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator".

Seeding Climate Resilience Through Equitable Investment Members only

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In this publication, the Center for Community Investment uses six case studies of successful climate resilience investments to surface a set of common strategies that take aim at the systems underlying the inequitable distribution of risk. Together, these case studies point to the urgency of acting quickly, strategically, and creatively to design and finance equitable climate resilience before disaster strikes—again.

Success Factors, Challenges, and Early Impacts of the POWER Initiative: An Implementation Evaluation Members only

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This evaluation was designed to help ARC and its stakeholders learn from the POWER Program's implementation successes and challenges; identify technical assistance needs; and report on the qualitative impact of investments made, to date, with POWER funds.

POWER Initiative Evaluation: Factors and Results of Project Implementation Members only

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This report by Chamberlin/Dunn offers an evaluation of two consecutive years (FY19-FY20) of the Appalachian Regional Commission's POWER Initiative. The report aims to understand successes, challenges, and lessons learned through implementation, and it also examines early results of POWER projects.

CDFA–Bricker PACE Webinar Series: Focusing on Sustainability Using PACE

This is the third webinar of the 2020 CDFA-Bricker PACE Webinar Series: Focusing on Sustainability Using PACE. Speakers included: Brooke A. Mangiarelli with Bricker & Eckler LLP, Eric Alini with Counterpointe Real Estate Solutions, Mayor Ben Kessler of Bexley, Ohio, Steve Melink with Melink Corporation, and Maryrose Myrtetus with Philadelphia Energy Authority.

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Ecostrat Announces Newest BDO Zone Designation in Siloam Springs, AR
Ecostrat | Oct. 19 | Energy Finance | Green Finance | Member News

Dividend Finance Welcomes Three New Hires to Support Rapid Industry Growth of Commercial PACE Financing
Dividend Finance | Oct. 14 | Energy Finance | Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)

Ripple Partners Nelnet for Green Energy, Announces $44M Fund
Coinspeaker | Oct. 13 | Bond Finance | Energy Finance | Green Finance

Solar Project Brings Middlebury College Closer to 100 Percent Renewable Energy Goal
Middlebury | Oct. 13 | Energy Finance | Green Finance

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Practitioner's Guide to Economic Development Finance

The Practitioner's Guide to Economic Development Finance 2nd Edition is the only comprehensive resource dedicated to building and utilizing the development finance toolbox. The Practitioner's Guide provides the insight and practical information needed to critically understand how economic development is financed and the tools, strategies and techniques used to build strong communities. From bonds, tax increment finance and special districts to tax credits, seed & venture capital, revolving loan funds and much more, this Guide outlines the financing tools required for succeeding in today's competitive economic development climate.

Unlocking Capital: A Handbook for Becoming a High Performing Development Finance Agency

Unlocking Capital: A Handbook for Becoming a High Performing Development Finance Agency (Handbook) serves as a companion to the Practitioner’s Guide to help illuminate the structures of development finance agencies (DFAs), essential conduits to access development finance tools. The Handbook provides an overview of DFAs and their myriad roles in various development efforts. Included in this discussion is a comprehensive look at over a dozen high-performing DFAs throughout the country. The Handbook is designed to be a starting point for local leaders to engage in the creation or acceleration of a DFA to build and utilize the development finance toolbox.

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Intro Opportunity Zones Finance WebCourse
Daily: 12:00 - 5:00 PM Eastern

The Intro Opportunity Zones Finance WebCourse will bring together program designers, fund managers, communities, investors, and policy experts to educate and review the most up-to-date thinking and strategies on how to maximize Opportunity Zone designations and how best to attract zone investments. This interactive webcourse will help communities bring all economic development stakeholders to the table, and have a firm understanding of how the development finance toolbox can both encourage and supplement Opportunity Fund investments.

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Intro Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Finance WebCourse
December 8-9, 2021
Daily: 12:00 - 5:00 PM Eastern

The Intro Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Finance WebCourse will explore the process of creating, operating, and maintaining a community-based PACE program. This two-day course will feature a comprehensive overview of PACE including program design, capital markets analysis, investor attraction, legal and regulatory considerations, market potential, and operations.

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Fundamentals of Economic Development Finance Course
January 26-27, 2022
Daily: 12:00 - 5:00 PM Eastern

CDFA's Fundamentals of Economic Development Finance Course is the foundation for all of CDFA’s educational offerings. This course helps attendees understand the variety of development finance tools available, from bonds, tax credits and TIF, to federal financing programs, RLFs, and access to capital lending resources.

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Intro Opportunity Zones Finance WebCourse
Daily: 12:00 - 5:00 PM Eastern

The Intro Opportunity Zones Finance WebCourse will bring together program designers, fund managers, communities, investors, and policy experts to educate and review the most up-to-date thinking and strategies on how to maximize Opportunity Zone designations and how best to attract zone investments. This interactive webcourse will help communities bring all economic development stakeholders to the table, and have a firm understanding of how the development finance toolbox can both encourage and supplement Opportunity Fund investments.

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CDFA Virtual National Summit
November 1-5, 2021
Daily: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Eastern)
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CDFA-Bricker PACE Webinar Series: PACE 2.0 - The Next 10 Years
Tuesday, November 30, 2021
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Eastern

It has been approximately 10 years since the first PACE programs began. During this workshop, our speakers will provide insights related to expanding PACE assessments to benefit buildings and properties for other non-energy related improvements such as indoor air quality, lead water pipe replacement, surface storm water mitigation, and sewer overflows.

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Intro Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Finance WebCourse
December 8-9, 2021
Daily: 12:00 - 5:00 PM Eastern

The Intro Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Finance WebCourse will explore the process of creating, operating, and maintaining a community-based PACE program. This two-day course will feature a comprehensive overview of PACE including program design, capital markets analysis, investor attraction, legal and regulatory considerations, market potential, and operations.

Register

Fundamentals of Economic Development Finance Course
January 26-27, 2022
Daily: 12:00 - 5:00 PM Eastern

CDFA's Fundamentals of Economic Development Finance Course is the foundation for all of CDFA’s educational offerings. This course helps attendees understand the variety of development finance tools available, from bonds, tax credits and TIF, to federal financing programs, RLFs, and access to capital lending resources.

Register

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CDFA-Bricker PACE Webinar Series: Advancing Multi-Family Housing & Renewable Energy Goals with PACE

Energy Finance | Housing Finance | Webcasts

Certain property and project types have not taken full advantage of PACE, however, during this workshop, we explored what is being done to advance the goals in these market areas.

The Case for the Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator Members only

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These are the slides from the Coalition for Green Capital's virtual presentation, "The Case for the Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator".

CDFA // BNY Mellon Development Finance Webcast Series: P3s That Fuel The Economy Members only

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Energy Finance | Public-Private Partnership (P3) Financing | Webcasts

During this installment of the CDFA // BNY Mellon Development Finance Webcast Series, we will explore how major projects are able to access private and public capital to construct extra large P3 deals in the U.S.

CDFA // BNY Mellon Webcast Series: Picking Up the PACE State by State Members only

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Energy Finance | Green Finance | Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) | Webcasts

During this installment of the CDFA // BNY Mellon Webcast Series, Caleb Bell with Bricker & Eckler LLP and David Gabrielson with PACENation discussed the best practices in crafting PACE enabling legislation as well as case studies of some of the most effective legislation to date.

2019 CDFA Brownfields Financing Webinar Series: Brownfields to Brightfields - Redevelopment for a Brighter Future

Brownfield Financing | Energy Finance | Green Finance | Webcasts | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

During this webinar, our panel of experts discussed when developing a Brightfield makes sense, how to overcome obstacles to Brightfield projects, and how to catalyze investment in the area surrounding a Brightfield.

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