Washoe County and City of Reno Partner with Nevada Clean Energy Fund to Advance New Clean Energy Projects in the Community
Washoe County, the City of Reno, and the Nevada Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) have joined forces to launch a new clean energy partnership that will create jobs, reduce energy costs, and advance the region’s clean energy transition. Supported by a $250,000 grant from the Municipal Investment Fund, this initiative will enable commercial building and fleet owners in Washoe County to identify and finance clean energy project opportunities. The funds will empower the region to develop shovel‑ready solutions that protect our health and environment and cut costs.
“Washoe County is committed to improving air quality and lowering energy costs for businesses and people in our region,” said Brian Beffort, Sustainability Manager with Washoe County. “By joining forces with NCEF and City of Reno, we are not only helping local businesses and nonprofits achieve these goals. This strengthens our community and sets a model for others to follow.”
As part of this new partnership, building owners can now receive subsidized energy audits and free technical assistance on clean energy upgrades that save local businesses and nonprofits money and contribute to a healthier environment and climate in the community. NCEF, Washoe County, and City of Reno have selected Sustainable Real Estate Solutions (SRS) to provide these services. Commercial building owners in Washoe County can learn more and apply here.
“This partnership is about local leadership in action. Together with Washoe County and NCEF, we are enabling organizations to take meaningful steps toward energy efficiency and cost savings that directly benefit the community.” said Suzanne Groneman, Environmental Services Manager at the City of Reno.
“Amid federal funding challenges, collaborations like this one between NCEF, Washoe County, and the City of Reno help us continue to deliver cost-saving clean energy opportunities that our community needs through scalable public-private partnerships, said Kirsten Stasio, CEO with the Nevada Clean Energy Fund. “It positions us as a national model for how local governments and private partners can solve energy challenges.”
The grant is made possible by the Coalition for Green Capital and supported by ICLEI- Local Governments for Sustainability USA (ICLEI USA). Our community was one of the 50 selected from 114 applicants across the U.S., including 48 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, and tribal nations. NCEF is one of the first selected in a competitive, nationwide strategy to secure our energy future.
Richard Kauffman, the CEO of the Coalition for Green Capital, said, “We are honored to provide funding to communities across the United States under the MIF program so they can take initial steps toward bringing America clean, affordable energy in this time of crisis. We congratulate the winners of this vigorous competition. They are real heroes.”
“This funding is about unlocking local leadership and moving forward the kinds of projects that communities have been ready to deliver for years,” said Saharnaz Mirzazad, Executive Director of ICLEI USA. “These awards show how public-private partnerships can lead to real progress on energy, infrastructure, and economic resilience. These projects make communities safer, lower energy costs, and meet local needs head-on.
About the Nevada Clean Energy Fund
The Nevada Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) is a nonprofit organization that supports a thriving, affordable, and accessible clean energy economy by providing financial and technical resources to Nevadans. NCEF was established by Nevada legislation in 2017 as the state’s green bank. NCEF implements programs for diverse Nevada stakeholders, including affordable housing, Tribes, nonprofits, schools, local governments, and rural communities. Clean energy measures include building electrification and efficiency, renewable energy, clean vehicles, and others.
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