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What Works Plus Bulletin:January Edition
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A digest of news and funding opportunities. The What Works Plus (WW+) funder collaborative is a partnership coordination hub across philanthropy, government, and nonprofits to advance equity and climate resilience through thoughtful implementation of historic federal infrastructure, climate, and economic development funding. WW+ is a project of Freedman Consulting, LLC, which provides strategic consulting services to foundations and nonprofit organizations.
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January Spotlight: News from Members & Friends
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Have a notable investment, partnership, or event coming up? Let Max Shipman know at shipman@tfreedmanconsulting.com and we’ll feature it next month.
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Climate Power released a report detailing the level of private investments in clean energy since the passage of new federal funding in 2022. The report analyzes public announcements from the private sector and provides a breakdown of data by state, sector, and congressional district. The analysis finds that, since 2022, companies have advanced 751 new clean energy projects, created 406,000 new jobs, and delivered $422 billion in new investments across 48 states and Puerto Rico. The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) released their 2025 Heat Policy Agenda, which provides specific, actionable policy ideas to tackle the growing threat of extreme heat in the US. Policy recommendations provided by the report include: 1) establishing a clear federal governance structure for extreme heat, 2) amending the Stafford Act to explicitly define extreme heat as a “major disaster”, and 3) including extreme heat as a core component of national preparedness and public-health capabilities. Work for America released “Powering Public Service: A Blueprint for the Field”, a collective guide to supporting state and local governments in overcoming workforce challenges. Developed in collaboration with 60+ organizations, the guide includes success stories and actionable strategies for elevating the impact of public sector work, improving government recruitment and hiring, creating strong public sector talent pipelines with multiple entry points, and supporting and empowering public sector workers. The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) kicked off its Congressional Climate Camp briefing series that brings together expert panels to share essential information on topics like the budget and appropriations process and surface transportation policies and programs. The first briefing, Navigating Climate Information for Effective Policy-Making, was held on January 29. RSVP here for the entire briefing series, including events focused on the budget process and surface transportation in February and March.
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SPOTLIGHT ON CLIMATE RESILIENCE
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In response to the wildfires breaking out across California: Philanthropy CA has compiled 1) a list of vetted funds that are actively providing resources to impacted communities, 2) resources for community members affected by the fires and 3) upcoming events and recordings of past events centered on coordinating aid and philanthropic support.
Freedman Consulting Senior Advisor Kathleen Kelly Janus offered guidance for philanthropic giving during this crisis. She recommends donors give money rather than goods like clothing, vet organizations before they donate, and fund organizations with experience in disaster response.
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A snapshot of this month’s key news.
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The What Works Plus is closely tracking developments from the White House’s various executive orders and actions, including 1) the January 20 Executive Order that paused disbursement of Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funds, among other actions, and 2) the now-rescinded Office of Management and Budget memo on January 27 that would have paused disbursement of all federal funds (as well as new awards). This landscape may continue to change, and it remains unclear to what extent the initial, January 20 Executive Order will shape IRA and BIL implementation going forward. However, reporting suggests that this Executive Order remains in full effect. The following resources may be useful for understanding potential implications for IRA and BIL funds: Crowell provides background on the White House’s January 20 Executive Order, key implications of its disbursement pause for infrastructure stakeholders, and potential disruptions in infrastructure projects that could occur as a result of the freeze. Reuters suggests that the January 20 pause for IRA and BIL “mainly applies to programs that discourage fossil fuel development or boost electric vehicles” and that “funds going to other programs, such as bridges, transit and highways, will not be affected.”
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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a report detailing the agency’s progress to date in implementing climate and clean energy programs from BIL and IRA and highlighting next year's potential results for large-dollar programs from both bills. According to the report, EPA has awarded $69 billion and obligated 88% of funds since the bills’ passage. Aurora Energy Research published a study quantifying the potential impact of removing clean energy tax credits on investment, job growth, and retail electricity bills. Their analysis shows removing tax credits for wind, solar and battery deployment could result in $336 billion less in private investments, a 237GW reduction in clean energy deployment, 97,000 fewer jobs created in key sectors like construction, and a 10% increase in residential electricity bills on average. The Department of Energy (DOE) released the last video in their series spotlighting workers and communities whose lives are being transformed by new federal clean energy investments. The final story features Eran Molz, a union worker in Weirton, West Virginia who discusses the impact IRA and BIL have had on local workforce development. The Department of Treasury (Treasury) issued multiple announcements regarding IRA tax credits, including: Final rules for the technology-neutral Clean Electricity Investment and Production Tax Credits. The rules provide clarity and certainty around which zero-emission clean energy sources qualify for the credits – including wind, solar, and hydropower. Final rules for the IRA’s Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit. The rules clarify how producers of hydrogen – including those using electricity from various sources, natural gas with carbon capture, renewable natural gas, and coal mine methane – can determine eligibility for the credit. A notice of proposed rulemaking for the Qualified Commercial Clean Vehicles Credit. The proposed rules include various pathways for taxpayers to determine the incremental cost of qualifying commercial clean vehicles and clarifies the type of vehicles that qualify for the credit. A public hearing on the rules is scheduled for April 28, 2025.
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced over $6 billion in grants and loans from the Empowering Rural America and Powering Affordable Clean Energy programs to finance projects in 20 states. All of the funded projects are working to increase renewable energy generation in their respective states.
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The Economic Development Administration (EDA) selected six designated Tech Hubs to receive a total of $210 million in implementation grants, enabled by CHIPS. These Tech Hubs are located in ID, OR, MO, AL, ME, and VT. The six recipients are among the 31 Tech Hubs designated in October 2023 to scale up production of critical technologies, create local jobs, and strengthen economic competitiveness. EDA also intends to partner with the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) to extend tailored resources and personalized support to Tech Hubs.
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The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) published a final report, mandated by BIL, evaluating potential new long-distance route options for Amtrak. The report reflected opportunities to increase both access to rural areas and transportation-disadvantaged communities, and connectivity with existing and future passenger rail services. The network of selected preferred route options described in this report could, if implemented, provide passenger rail access to 39 million people, including 7 million in rural communities, and serve 34 states.
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The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) launched the Direct File Tool for the 2025 tax season. The program will allow eligible taxpayers in 25 states, including 12 states from the 2024 pilot program and 13 new states, to file their taxes for free.
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WW+ Bulletin: January Edition
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