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Funding Guidance

Community Project Funding for Local Climate Action

Community Project Funding (CPF) is a form of congressionally directed discretionary spending. Previously referred to as “earmarks,” CPF was reintroduced with updated transparency and disclosure requirements.

CPF rules, caps, and eligibility requirements are established each fiscal year and may change based on congressional guidance. Availability depends on annual appropriations and congressional leadership priorities.

CPF can be a useful supplemental funding tool, but it is typically less predictable than formula funding, tax credits, or other established financing mechanisms.

Your city may already have a process for submitting CPF requests through your members of Congress. The number of requests permitted, overall funding caps, and eligibility rules vary by fiscal year and chamber. Cities should consult the most recent congressional guidance for current limits and requirements.

While CPF is not limited to clean energy, sustainability, or resilience projects, it may be used to support locally identified infrastructure and community priorities. When considering a CPF request:

  • Focus on projects that are clearly defined and implementation-ready.
  • Consider projects that may not align easily with other federal programs.
  • Coordinate early with community stakeholders and partners.
  • Assess timing and political context when identifying congressional sponsors.
  • Use a concise project pitch to clarify scope, budget, and community benefit. See the Pitch Deck for Local Governments for additional guidance.
  • Engage congressional offices early in the fiscal year.

The following examples highlight a wide array of clean energy and resilience projects funded in part with CPF dollars:

  • 3.2 MW Floating Solar Array — Cohoes, NY

    $3 million

    Cohoes’ floating solar project will generate enough clean electricity to power all municipal facilities for the town of 17,000, save an estimated $500,000 in annual electricity costs (once in operation), and advance sustainable land use practices (by avoiding developing solar on land altogether).

  • Alaska Heat Smart: Air Source Heat Pump Campaign — Juneau, AK

    $420,000

    Juneau’s air-source heat pump program will help bring comfortable temperatures to low-income households, demonstrating the effectiveness of an efficient electric heating and cooling technology in one of the coldest climates in the United States.

  • Sunnyside Landfill Solar Project — Houston, TX

    $750,000

    Houston’s forthcoming solar farm will include 50 MW of utility-scale solar, 2 MW of community solar, and 150 MW of battery storage, with CPF funding supporting partnerships to train a solar and STEM-focused workforce in the surrounding, historically marginalized Sunnyside neighborhood.

  • Community Cooling Boyle Heights — Los Angeles, CA

    $1 million

    Los Angeles’ Boyle Heights community cooling project will install cool pavement coats and plant new trees to lower ambient temperatures and address heat-related illness and death.

Additional Considerations:

  • CPF typically supports clearly scoped, near-term projects rather than multi-year phased initiatives.
  • Award sizes vary and depend on annual appropriations.
  • Some projects may require matching funds; review current guidance to confirm requirements.
  • Because CPF must be included in federal appropriations legislation, approval timelines may fluctuate year to year.

For the most current rules and submission requirements, consult congressional guidance and coordinate directly with your members of Congress.

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