City Manager

Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)

The federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provides billions of dollars in grant and loan programs and other investments for clean energy and climate action. It is the largest climate investment in U.S. history. The IRA provides federal funding for several key programs that help local governments and communities advance their climate and clean energy goals.

Justice40 & Long Beach

The IRA advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which commits to delivering 40 percent of the overall benefits of climate, clean energy, infrastructure, and other investments to disadvantaged communities. With a population of approximately 475,000 and a significant part of our community in a Justice40 census track most notably West, Central, and North Long Beach, the City must ensure that its communities most vulnerable to the effects of climate change can obtain and benefit from funds in the IRA. The categories of investments for the Justice40 Initiative include climate change, clean energy and energy efficiency, clean transit, affordable and sustainable housing, training and workforce development, remediation and reduction of legacy pollution, and the development of critical clean water and wastewater infrastructure.

CLIMATE ACTION ACCELERATOR

The City is planning for the IRA Implementation via a new Climate Action Accelerator. The Climate Action Accelerator and technical assistance providers is an effort to ensure that the City is prepared to pursue funds available through the federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). This effort is comprised of:

• Upcoming Contracting Opportunities
• Grant Opportunities for community-based organizations, businesses, and individuals

The Climate Action Accelerator Program includes the following immediate contracting opportunities which are planned for October 2023:

Climate Action Accelerator Request for Proposals (RFP): The City will seek a technical assistance and implementation partner to ensure that its communities most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change can obtain and benefit from funds in the federal IRA. The selected contractor will establish and operate an integrated program that includes a platform to assist residents, businesses, and nonprofits in applying for grants, rebates, or other funding made available under the IRA.

Inclusive Businesses and Nonprofit Navigator Request for Quotes (RFQ): The City will issue an RFQ to establish a bench of qualified technical assistance providers. This RFQ will support the ongoing Inclusive Business Navigators Program in addition to providing technical assistance for businesses and nonprofits accessing federal funding opportunities as part of the Climate Action Accelerator. The Accelerator will focus outreach and assistance in environmental justice communities.

The City’s BizCare team, which provides support for small businesses and nonprofits accessing resources and information such as grants, loans and technical assistance, will support outreach and assistance on the Inflation Reduction Act for businesses throughout the city.

For more information on the Inflation Reduction Act review the Inflation Reduction Guidebook, Disadvantaged 2010 Census Tracts, Disadvantaged 2010 Census Tracts with Tract Numbers.