By Ravi Malhotra
Originally published in Utah Rental Housing Journal
More funds from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) are working their way toward communities. For example, Utah’s Office of Energy Development is currently preparing its applications for the U.S. Dept. of Energy’s funded Home Energy Rebate programs. The Environmental Protection Agency is considering applications under the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program, through which multifamily properties in Utah may be able to access incentives for electric vehicle (EV) chargers. Treasury and IRS recently announced that applications will open at 9 a.m. ET May 28 for the 2024 program year of the low-income communities bonus program for the investment tax credit. To learn more about the funds coming to multifamily properties, follow this link.
ICAST is thrilled to be in partnership with state and regional stakeholders whose efforts have helped pave the way for Utah to capture these and other funding opportunities. Our partners include:
- Utah Housing Coalition (UHC), which leverages education, advocacy, and partnerships to promote equitable and sustainable communities to ensure all Utahns have a safe and affordable place to call home. UHC’s Executive Director serves on ICAST’s Board of Directors.
- Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP), a public interest nonprofit organization advancing energy efficiency, beneficial electrification, and clean transportation in the Southwest. In 2023, SWEEP helped drive a significant expansion of incentives for energy efficiency and EVs in new affordable housing projects in Utah, and it has long been a key partner in ICAST’s efforts to deliver beneficial electrification solutions to existing multifamily properties.
- Rocky Mountain Power (RMP), which manages Utah’s Custom Multifamily Demand-Side Management Program in collaboration with ICAST. In 2023, this program offered incentives for the installation of energy efficiency measures to 145 multifamily projects, increasing efficiency, safety, health, and comfort for 9,987 multifamily units. Overall, low-income customers received 57% of the program budget.
- Utah Clean Air Partnership (UCAIR), a statewide clean air partnership created to make it easier for individuals, businesses, and communities to make small changes to improve Utah’s air. Partnership with UCAIR has enabled ICAST to maximize its impact in target areas to improve the efficiency, health, and quality of multifamily housing and reduce emissions of criteria pollutants that cause Utah’s poor air quality.
About ICAST
ICAST is a 501c3 nonprofit with a history of designing, launching, managing, and scaling programs to benefit underserved communities. Its focus is delivering clean energy upgrades to low- and moderate-income households living in multifamily affordable housing and disadvantaged communities.