Public sector entities are helping meet their energy needs with on-site renewable energy facilities. One key to the long-term success of an on-site renewable project is financing: how will construction be funded and what incentives can be leveraged to ensure the financial feasibility of the project?

Los Angeles County, California is considering imposing a fee on drivers in the county in order to generate funds for public transit and congestion-reduction programs, with the ultimate goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles. The bill, which is currently in the state legislature, has been endorsed by the County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Many communities want to foster economic growth, protect environmental resources, enhance public health, and plan for development, but may lack the tools, resources, and information to achieve their goals. In response to this demand, EPA developed the Smart Growth Implementation Assistance (SGIA) Program.

The state of Wisconsin expects to award about $15 million per year for 10 years from the newly created Wisconsin Energy Independence Fund. The money will be used to support research and development of renewable fuels and encourage businesses to adopt new technologies that save energy and use renewable energy.

Kyoto's Miyako Green Power Certification System aims to promote "local production for local consumption" of solar power as a way of helping curb global warming.

Leading Your Community and Saving Money, Energy, and the Environment targets local government leaders, finance directors and building officials who are trying to figure out how to fit energy efficiency measures into tight budgets.

In some cases around the country, cities are aggregating their businesses and households and buying renewable energy credits. Those 'certificates' guarantee the production of such things as wind generation, thereby facilitating the development of more sustainable energy generation. This is one way for cities to work within the market to encourage the use and development of renewable energy.

In the U.S., a new Energy and Environment Block Grant program created by Energy Independence and Security Act provides for grants intended to reduce fossil-fuel emission and total energy use, as well as improve energy efficiency and conservation in the transportation and building sectors. Of the $2 billion in funding provided for such grants, 68 percent is distributed directly to counties and cities.

According to Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski, "global warming is already threatening Oregon’s economic prosperity and quality of life." On Jan 24, his office announced appointments to the Oregon Global Warming Commission and outlined his climate change package for the 2009 legislative session, which includes "Resources for state and local agencies to integrate climate change policy and analyze impacts of climate change on our water, forest, coastal and transportation resources."

Berkeley is set to become the first city in the nation to help thousands of its residents generate solar power without having to put money up front - attempting to surmount one of the biggest hurdles for people who don't have enough cash to go green.