Propelled by private entrepreneurship, technology gains, and public support, clean energy and energy efficiency solutions began to proliferate in recent years. However, federal policy gridlock and state budget challenges are now jeopardizing the availability of government finance, exac- erbating the serious finance challenges that impede the large-scale deployment of low-carbon energy solutions.

Fortunately a number of states are now exploring a variety of ways to leverage scarce public resources with sophisticated banking and finance mechanisms. Epitomized by Connecticut’s Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority (CEFIA), the proposed new finance entities entail the creation by states of dedicated clean energy banks that leverage public money with private- sector funds and expertise.