Legislative Services

TFG has been instrumental in developing and implementing legislative and policy strategies to authorize and utilize federal agency capabilities and resources in a manner designed to bring local communities and interests together in regional and multi-disciplinary programs. Our combination of legislative experience, policy understanding, regulatory competence, and communication skills relating to issues that impact water, transportation, energy and the environment, and a host of other areas, has enabled us to take a leading role in the development of legislation and policy on behalf of a broad range of clients. Often, our lobbyists are directly involved in drafting legislative and regulatory changes that result in the creation of new, innovative financing programs that benefit local governments. Based on significant expertise, TFG has put our understanding of the political and policymaking process to work for our clients, and help them implement the strategic plan through targeted interaction with the federal government.

Why Choose TFG?

  • Legislative tracking and monitoring
  • Analysis and comparison of bill drafts and amendments
  • Development and submission of legislative comments and testimony
  • Drafting of legislative language, bills, and amendments
  • Advance notice and analysis of major legislative proposals
  • Advocacy in support of or in opposition to legislation

Case Studies

Tax-Exempt Municipal Bonds

TFG has partnered with national coalitions and our municipal clients to help preserve the tax-exempt status and marketability of municipal bonds. We have helped our clients communicate to their congressional delegations the importance of tax-exempt municipal bonds as a necessary tool to build essential infrastructure in their communities. We have also been on the forefront of legislative efforts to ensure that municipal bonds are considered liquid assets for large financial institutions. If not, the cost of borrowing will increase, which will negatively impact all of our municipal clients.

Transportation Funding Repurposing

Under the Department of Transportation's rules set by the moratorium on congressional earmarks in place, communities who had received funding for local transportation projects faced issues completing projects that needed slight adjustments to the scope of the project. Working on behalf of several clients, TFG raised awareness of the issue and pursued a legislative fix to the problem, including introducing a bipartisan amendment to the FAST Act. Ultimately, authority was provided in an omnibus appropriations that allows state DOT's to work with local sponsoring agencies to ensure the original funding was spent on the local projects. TFG clients were one of the first communities to take advantage of the new program.

USDA Program Eligibility

The community of Los Osos, CA is required to improve waste water facilities to prevent polluted waters from leaching from thousands of private septic systems into Morro Bay National Estuary. The County was originally barred from competing for grant funding under the U.S. Department Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) grants and loans because Los Osos exceeded the regulatory population limit. TFG worked with the County to accurately define the area of benefit and worked with the County’s congressional delegation to secure legislation providing a population limitation waiver to Los Osos. This action allowed the County to compete for USDA funding, resulting in the largest Recovery Act grant and loan provided by RUS.

Services & Issue Areas of Expertise

Transportation

Transportation

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Broadband & Telecommunications

Broadband & Telecommunications

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Economic & Community Development/Housing

Economic & Community Development/Housing

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Environment & Sustainability

Environment & Sustainability

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Health Care & Social Services

Health Care & Social Services

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Public Safety

Public Safety

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Disaster Preparedness & Recovery

Disaster Preparedness & Recovery

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Flood Issues

Flood Issues

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Water Resources

Water Resources

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US Congressional Calendar

Alex Yiannoutsos
/ Categories: News, Alerts

Virginia Selects TFG and Sustainable Energy Advantage for Federal Funding Support Services, Clean Energy Projects

TFG and Sustainable Energy Advantage will offer expert support to advance Virginia’s clean energy goals

RICHMOND, Va. – The Commonwealth of Virginia selected TFG to provide federal funding and grant support services to all Virginia agencies, institutions of higher education, and public bodies to further clean energy, environmental, economic development, infrastructure, and other policy goals. TFG is teaming up with Sustainable Energy Advantage, a firm that has helped entities navigate policy and develop clean energy solutions for twenty-five years.

“This partnership signifies our shared commitment to maximize Virginia’s access to federal funding and advance the state’s clean energy solutions along with other public investment priorities,” said Roger Gwinn, TFG CEO. “By eliminating barriers and expediting the funding process, we aim to empower Virginia's public entities to drive positive change in energy, environment, and economic development. TFG remains steadfast in our mission to help build resilient and thriving communities by harnessing the power of federal funding and strategic advocacy.”

“We’re eager to collaborate with Sustainable Energy Advantage to serve Virginia,” said Trace Roller, TFG Manager of Grants Strategic Development. “Our mission is clear: streamline access to federal funds for entities across the state. Through strategic coordination, stakeholder engagement, and a focus on key funding opportunities, we are committed to delivering tangible results that propel Virginia towards a sustainable, resilient future.”

“On the heels of successful facilitation of stakeholder engagement on behalf of the State Corporation Commission regarding a potential shared solar program for electric customers in Southwest Virginia, we are thrilled to join forces with TFG to continue enabling the Commonwealth of Virginia’s efforts to implement sustainable energy solutions. This collaboration underscores our commitment to facilitating a greener, more resilient future,” said Bob Grace, SEA Managing Director and President. “We aim to help Virginia successfully leverage available funds and industry best practices to implement programs and activities aligning with the Commonwealth’s energy, environmental, and economic development goals.”

This partnership designates TFG and Sustainable Energy Advantage as approved suppliers of federal funding support services. Public entities throughout Virginia can directly access expert assistance to secure funding for clean energy, environmental, economic development, infrastructure, and other policy projects without going through the Request for Proposal process—maximizing project competitiveness and access to federal funds.

With a particular focus on funding opportunities like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, TFG will:

  • Identify and support clean energy funding proposal development;
  • Coordinate among Virginia agency partners;
  • Engage relevant stakeholders;
  • Provide research services;
  • Manage data collection and data analysis;
  • Develop Justice40 Initiative best practices;
  • Support management of awarded projects; and
  •  Offer additional services related to clean energy projects and proposals.

About TFG: Headquartered in Washington D.C. with offices nationwide, TFG has specialized in legislative and regulatory advocacy and federal funding services since 1982. TFG has a proven track record of delivering success and has helped clients secure over $5 billion in competitive federal funding since 2015. The mission that propels us throughout the decades has always been and continues to be the drive to build stronger, more vibrant communities for this generation and the next.

For more information about TFG, please visit our website at www.thefergusongroup.com.

About Sustainable Energy Advantage: Headquartered in Framingham, MA and founded in 1999, Sustainable Energy Advantage (SEA) specializes in clean energy market, policy, financial and strategic analysis. SEA has supported the efforts of over 40 state government agencies and hundreds of companies in the clean energy space to identify, analyze, implement and evolve clean energy initiatives, policies, programs and investments.

For more information about SEA, please visit SEA’s website at www.seadvantage.com.

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