Welcome to the Tompkins County Climate Protection Initiative (TCCPI). TCCPI is a cross-sector collaboration seeking to leverage the climate action commitments made by Cornell University, Ithaca College, Tompkins Cortland Community College, Tompkins County, and the City of Ithaca to mobilize a countywide energy efficiency effort focused primarily on the retrofitting of buildings.

Urgent Call to Action: Support Crucial PACE Legislation in Congress

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing programs suffered a major setback recently when the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which regulates Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, issued new rules for these programs. Before the FHFA action, PACE initiatives were emerging in cities across the U.S., establishing home retrofit programs that would create jobs, save money, and cut energy use. FHFA's statements have forced cities in 22 states to suspend or dissolve their programs while also killing the launch of new programs across the country.

Legislation has been introduced in both the House and Senate guaranteeing the right of state and local governments to move forward with PACE by directing the federal entities responsible for mortgage lending to adopt underwriting standards that are consistent with the PACE guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Energy. The legislation, the PACE Assessment Protection Act, would ensure that no federal agency can discriminate against communities implementing or participating in a PACE program. 

Please join us in this effort by sending a letter to members of Congress asking them to support the PACE Assessment Protection Act. For more information on how to help support this effort and a Congressional letter template, click here.

We are committed to helping Tompkins County achieve a dynamic economy, healthy environment, and resilient community through a focus on energy efficiency and renewable energy.