The U.S. Department of Transportation recently announced the recipients of the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grants, which aim to promote sustainable transportation initiatives nationwide. Four Ohio cities received funds from the RAISE grants, including Power a Clean Future Ohio (PCFO) and Ohio Mayor’s Alliance (OMA) members Cincinnati, Toledo, and Youngstown. The City of Kent also received funding from the program. The grant program is funded through the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a Biden Administration priority that was signed into law in 2021.

Launching as a coalition project in February 2020, Power a Clean Future Ohio (PCFO) is taking an important and momentous step today in establishing itself as a nonprofit organization. Today, the organization announced the members of its inaugural Board of Directors. PCFO will continue to build on its work with cities and local governments across the state of Ohio by providing local leaders with tools and resources to create carbon reduction plans and implement them in ways that are achievable, measurable, equitable, and economical.

On October 5th, Granville Village Council members voted to unanimously adopt a resolution joining Power a Clean Future Ohio (PCFO), furthering the Village’s commitment to improving sustainability and reducing emissions. PCFO will work with local leaders to provide technical assistance and partnerships to help staff as they work toward the goal of adopting clean energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

At the September 13, 2022, Green City Council meeting, council members voted unanimously to adopt a resolution joining Power a Clean Future Ohio. Power A Clean Future Ohio is a nonpartisan coalition and campaign dedicated to working with local communities to develop equitable clean energy solutions to benefit the well-being of residents, the environment, and the economy. PCFO will work with local leaders and the city’s Living Green Task Force by providing technical assistance and a network of partnerships to implement best practices in buildings and facilities management, land use and transportation planning, and economic and community development in the City of Green.

At a recent Maple Heights City Council meeting, the council members unanimously adopted an emergency resolution to join Power a Clean Future Ohio, underscoring the community’s commitment to craft a comprehensive sustainability plan that will help take advantage of upcoming opportunities and grants, leverage the city sustainability efforts as a tool to attract younger residents to call Maple Heights home, and work with adjoining municipalities to pursue emerging opportunities. PCFO will work with local leaders to provide technical assistance as staff develop plans for the City of Maple Heights.

At a recent Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners meeting, Commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution to join Power a Clean Future Ohio, furthering the County’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the communities it serves. PCFO will work with local leaders to provide technical assistance and partnerships to help County staff as they create a climate action plan like the Green Cincinnati Plan that has helped establish Cincinnati as a national leader in sustainability and an attractive destination for businesses and individuals.

At a recent Munroe Falls City Council meeting, the council members unanimously adopted an emergency resolution to join Power a Clean Future Ohio, underscoring the community’s commitment to achieving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions and cost savings through building and facilities management, land use and transportation planning and economic and community development. PCFO will work with local leaders to provide technical assistance and partnerships to help staff as they develop a roadmap for Munroe Falls.

On Thursday, Power a Clean Future Ohio Executive Director Joe Flarida will deliver expert testimony to the United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs during its hearing, “Borrowed Time: The Economic Costs of Climate Change.”

At the June 21, 2022, City Council meeting, councilmembers voted unanimously to adopt a resolution joining Power a Clean Future Ohio, furthering the city’s commitment to improving sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint. PCFO will work with local leaders to provide technical assistance and partnerships to help staff as they work toward the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030 from 2010 levels.

On May 18, the Youngstown City Council voted to adopt a resolution joining Power a Clean Future Ohio, furthering the community’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. PCFO will work with local leaders to provide technical assistance and work with the city staff as they develop a roadmap for achieving their carbon reduction and sustainability goals. With passage of this resolution, Youngstown became the 31st community to join Power a Clean Future Ohio.