Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson spearheaded an Earth Day celebration at Hartzell Memorial United Methodist Church, where he unveiled a partnership with the White House and the U.S. Department of Treasury. This collaboration is set to funnel federal clean energy funding into Chicago City, a measure aimed at paving the way for a more climate-resilient Chicago through conservation and renewable energy projects. "This Earth Day event underscores our commitment to seeing an equitable, healthy, climate-resilient Chicago," Johnson told attendees.
The multi-agency partnership, joined by stakeholders and community leaders, is designed to quickly disseminate information on accessing federal funds. According to World Business Chicago CEO Philip B. Clement, "Initiatives like Mayor Johnson's Earth Day Celebration are crucial in mobilizing collective action and leveraging federal resources for clean energy projects." He praised Mayor Johnson for his commitment to environmental sustainability and expressed support for the city's green initiatives.
At the heart of this environmental push is the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022, which extends the opportunity for local entities to take part in the clean energy economy. States, local governments, nonprofits, and others can receive a payment that equals the full value of tax credits for establishing qualifying clean energy projects. Angela Tovar, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Environment, expressed her excitement over working with the federal bodies to make these opportunities available locally.
Hartzell Memorial UMC is already on the path to sustainability, having been named a finalist in the Climate Infrastructure Fund. Rev. D. Josiah Montgomery of Hartzell Church highlighted the importance of their energy upgrades, "efficient cooling and heating in our building for the comfort of our parish community, while also reducing operating costs," he explained.
For Chicagoans eager to learn more about the Inflation Reduction Act and other federal clean energy resources, information is readily available at cleanenergy.gov. The Earth Day event marks a notable stride towards a sustainable future, with substantial steps already being taken by cornerstone institutions like Hartzell Memorial UMC.
