DOE announces $27 million Energy Future Grants Program

The Biden-Harris administration announced the release of the National-Zero Emission Freight Corridor Strategy. The strategy, according to Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, will alter freight transportation while it assists American communities and preserves the environment.

The Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) has urged Congress to swiftly introduce and pass legislation for energy infrastructure permitting reforms. The association maintains that additional pipeline infrastructure is necessary to meet the nation's energy objectives, but the permitting process can hinder projects.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a $425 million funding initiative, the Advanced Manufacturing and Recycling Grant Program, designed to support small and medium-sized manufacturers. The program is specifically aimed at communities in current and former coal regions, with the goal of promoting the production and recycling of clean energy products while encouraging decarbonization efforts at manufacturing sites.

The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) and the Department of the Air Force (DAF) have signed a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) to investigate optimal practices for joint energy resilience planning between DAF installations and EEI member companies.

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has given its approval for a project in Kern County, California, which aims to construct a storage system. The project is projected to contribute 150 megawatts of electricity to the California power grid and have the capacity to store up to 1,200 megawatt hours.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a new $24 million funding opportunity from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to further expand the existing Industrial Assessment Centers (IAC) network. The initiative aims to engage more union training programs, community colleges, and trade schools in supporting workforce training programs that focus on clean energy jobs which do not require a four-year degree.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced an allocation of over $17 million to three projects aimed at supporting the design and construction of facilities that produce rare earth elements and other critical minerals and materials from coal-based resources. The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), under the auspices of DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM), will oversee these selected projects.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has granted the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) a $11.5 million, three-year grant to administer the California Zero-Emission Solutions for Tomorrow (CAL-ZEST). The initiative is designed to expedite the development of next-generation, heavy-duty, zero-emission vehicles and equipment.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the allocation of $6 million to two marine energy projects aimed at advancing tidal energy research, development, and demonstration. In addition, a community-led initiative focusing on river current energy research and development has secured substantial funding of $9.5 million.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has declared the allocation of incentive payments amounting to $71.5 million, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to 46 hydroelectric projects spread across 19 states. The initiative is designed to enhance the generation efficiency of the nation's existing hydropower fleet.

The recent halt on permits for new U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facilities has caused concern among Asian industry groups, who fear the decision could undermine Asia's energy security and climate objectives. However, a report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) suggests these fears are unfounded, providing five reasons to support its claim.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsack, underscored the significance of Clean Energy Infrastructure Investments for Rural America. He stated that these investments would decrease energy costs, stimulate income generation, and facilitate job creation in rural communities.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has granted approval for the commencement of construction on the Camino Solar Project in Kern County. The solar photovoltaic facility, which will have a capacity of 44 megawatts, is set to be located on 233 acres of public lands and an additional 150 acres of private land.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a funding allocation of $20.5 million to 32 states, territories, local governments, and Tribes through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program. This financial support will facilitate a variety of initiatives such as electric bicycle incentives, free home solarization for low-income families, municipal fleet electrification, decarbonization waste management strategies, and municipal building energy audits.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has disclosed the allocation of $34 million for 12 projects in 11 states under the Grid Overhaul with Proactive, High-speed Undergrounding for Reliability, Resilience, and Security (GOPHURRS) program. These initiatives, designed to fortify and modernize America's aging power grid, will implement solutions to enhance grid infrastructure.