Is a Regional Planning Commission or Metropolitan Planning Organization for multiple counties eligible to apply for funding under this Grant Program?
The Global Warming Solutions Fund Act states that “Ten percent [of the money] shall be allocated to the department to support programs designed to promote local government efforts…to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” Consequently, the only entities eligible for these funds are those specified in the Grant Program Guidelines, i.e., municipalities, counties, county colleges, school boards and local authorities. It is conceivable, however, that this type of organization could partner on a project with a county that would be the direct applicant. Municipalities can sign/apply for the grant on their own behalf, and then “hire” or contract with the regional planning organization to perform the project, acting in a capacity similar to that of a contractor for the municipalities. To comply with the rule, the municipalities would have to apply for the grant on their own behalf, accept the grant money and account for its expenditure. The payment mechanism thus would be similar to that which wo
