FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 5, 2024, 11:00 AM ET

Cleveland, OH  –  June 5, 2024  – America Is All In, the most expansive coalition of leaders ever assembled in support of climate action, is launching a campaign to boost installation of solar power across Cleveland and Akron. In Cleveland, residents spend a disproportionate amount of their income on home energy bills, consuming nearly 6.6 percent of average household budgets, which is nearly double the national average of 3.6 percent. Both Cleveland and Akron are home to multiple neighborhoods where households experience high energy costs, making up more than 6% of their monthly budgets. Gina McCarthy, Managing Co-Chair of America Is All In and former White House national climate advisor, announced the launch of the solar campaign at the Cleveland Foundation during the America Is All In Tour, an effort to spur and highlight local clean energy investments in cities across the country. 

America Is All In, supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies and in partnership with Solar United Neighbors (SUN) and Power A Clean Future Ohio (PCFO), will bring awareness to the financial incentives and cost-savings solar power can bring homeowners and businesses thanks to the opportunities available through the Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law by President Biden. Installing solar power in historically disadvantaged communities reduces communities’ reliance on fossil fuels, helps tackle climate change, addresses environmental justice, and improves health. Air pollution is responsible for increased rates of asthma, heart disease, strokes, cancers, and other health issues, predominantly in low-income, Black, and Brown communities.

“We’re helping Ohio go all in on solar. The clean energy revolution is here,” said Gina McCarthy, Managing Co-Chair of America Is All In. “Working with teams on the ground, we'll be talking directly to communities about how they can take advantage of the historic opportunities available through the Inflation Reduction Act to ditch fossil fuels once and for all and enjoy clean, affordable, and reliable solar power. Investing in solar means good-paying jobs right here in Ohio and cleaner air for generations to come.”

“Accelerating the adoption of solar energy is key to tackling the climate crisis, reducing pollution, and strengthening the economy head-on,” said Antha Williams, who leads the Environment Program at Bloomberg Philanthropies. “Bloomberg Philanthropies is proud to expand our work supporting Ohio’s cities to help more families quickly and equitably go all-in on solar to reduce energy bills and improve lives.”

In April, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that the Industrial Heartland Solar Coalition, led by Growth Opps, received a $156 million Solar for All grant to deploy solar energy to low- and moderate-income residents, dramatically expanding clean energy access across eight states in America's industrial heartland. The grant, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, is estimated to save $19 million in energy costs for Ohio households, eliminate 160,000 tons of carbon emissions annually, and create more than 1,000 solar energy jobs.

“Cleveland is proud to be at the forefront of climate action. We were the first city in Ohio to commit to 100 percent clean and renewable energy by 2050, a community-driven target, and this campaign by America Is All In will go a long way in helping us deliver on that target,” Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb, chair of Climate Mayors, said. “We are going to make sure that everyone in Cleveland, especially our historically disadvantaged communities and neighborhoods, are able to enjoy the benefits of solar energy, from lower energy bills to cleaner air.”

“We’re at a pivotal time for climate action in our country, and America Is All In is helping us realize the full promise of the Inflation Reduction Act,” Akron Mayor Shammas Malik said. “Akron was thrilled to join Power a Clean Future Ohio earlier this year to reduce our emissions and improve sustainability, and  we’re committed to bringing the benefits, reliability, and affordability of solar power to our communities.”  

“A key to addressing the climate crisis in the United States will be when households do not have to choose between adopting fossil-fuel-free energy and putting food on the table,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “EPA’s strong partnership with Industrial Heartland Solar, American Is All In, Cleveland and Akron will get us one step closer to making solar energy for all a reality in the Midwest.”

This summer, SUN and PCFO will work with city staff, and community, labor, and workforce development groups to launch education and outreach campaigns about the tax credits, rebates, and more that are available to increase residential and community solar capacity throughout Cleveland and Akron. Both cities were recently selected to participate in Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities, a three-year, $200 million initiative to help cities access critical federal funds and advance projects that will fight climate change and improve millions of lives. These cities will receive a Bloomberg Philanthropies-funded innovation team (i-team) with expertise in data analysis, insight development, human-centered design, systems thinking, and project management to bolster city capacity in driving progress on climate mitigation and promoting equitable outcomes.

“To make sure everyone benefits from Solar for All, potential participants need to know about the program ahead of time. We want them to understand that Solar for All will enable them to choose the energy solution that works best for them. We’re developing a clear-cut education and community outreach plan in which we train the local organizers and trusted partners in Cleveland and Akron. This will prepare our communities to successfully integrate this exciting Federal funding,” said Tristan Rader, Ohio Program Director for Solar United Neighbors. “We will also work with local industry partners such as IBEW to ensure there are enough trained workers for the good local jobs created by the increased demand for solar projects.”

“There are tremendous job, economic, and health opportunities that come with transitioning to solar energy, and we want to empower our local communities to take advantage of them,” said Joe Flarida, executive director of Power a Clean Future Ohio. “Thanks to America Is All In and Bloomberg Philanthropies, we’re looking forward to getting local residents the tools they need to make the switch to solar energy, save money, and create good-paying solar energy jobs right here in our community.”

Following Cleveland, the America Is All In Tour will head to Philadelphia and Houston later in the summer, with more stops to be announced in the fall. 

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About America Is All In
America Is All In is the most expansive coalition of leaders ever assembled in support of climate action in the United States. Mobilizing thousands of U.S. cities, states, tribal nations, businesses, schools, and faith, health, and cultural institutions, the coalition is focused on pushing and partnering with the federal government to develop an ambitious, all-in national climate strategy that meets the urgency of the climate crisis; scaling climate action around the country to accelerate the transition to a 100 percent clean energy economy; and promoting the leadership of non-federal actors on the world stage.

Led by the U.N. Secretary General’s Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions Michael R. Bloomberg, Washington Governor Jay Inslee, Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, Apple Vice President of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives Lisa Jackson, and former White House National Climate Advisor and and 13th U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy, America Is All In, supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, is driving a nationwide movement to cut U.S. emissions in half or more by 2030 from 2005 levels and reach net zero emissions by 2050, while guarding against the impacts of climate disruption.

Alongside whole-of-government action on climate, America Is All In champions a whole-of-society mobilization to deliver the transformational change that science demands, with the goal of a healthy, prosperous, equitable, and sustainable future. To learn more or get involved, visit www.americaisallin.com and follow us on X and LinkedIn.

About Bloomberg Philanthropies
Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 700 cities and 150 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a pro bono consultancy that works in cities around the world. In 2022, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $1.7 billion. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org, sign up for our newsletter, or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, Facebook, and Twitter.

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