The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced a $3.6 million award to 18 groups and organizations through the new Energy Innovation Prize competition.
The competition, the first of its kind, is designed to support entrepreneurship and innovation in communities that historically have been underserved in federal climate and energy technology funding, according to a May 24 DOE news release.
"Delivering an equitable clean energy transition means we must tear down the structural barriers preventing those most impacted by climate change from receiving the support they need to develop solutions for their communities," U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm said in the news release. "I'm so proud of DOE and I want to congratulate the first-ever Inclusive Energy Innovation Prize and the 18 winners who are helping build an inclusive community of innovators to tackle the climate problems of today and tomorrow."
The Inclusive Energy Innovation Prize was launched by DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity with additional funding from the Office of Technology Transitions. The prize supports teams of entrepreneurs, nonprofits, community organizers and academic institutions with projects that seek to achieve energy justice as the nation transitions to clean energy, according to the news release.
"Today's announcement will spark great and long-deserved opportunities for local businesses run in Portland by Black Oregonians and members of other underserved communities working hard on the urgently needed path to clean energy," Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said in the news release. "This is an excellent catalyst that reflects two essential priorities for Oregon and our country – leveling the playing field for communities unfairly shut out of investment opportunities and advancing toward a greener future."
"This groundbreaking DOE grant is an investment in our clean energy future, providing young leaders the tools and resources to develop forward-thinking climate technology," Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. also said in the news release. "Addressing climate change requires all hands on deck. These funds will provide opportunities for students from communities on the front lines of the climate crisis – yet underrepresented in this field. Countless jobs, businesses and communities will benefit from this much-needed program."
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., referred in his comments to one of the other competition winners, Gather New Haven Eco-Entrepreneurship Creative Lab in New Haven, Conn., which entered a project to recruit young entrepreneurs to develop equitable clean energy solutions and reach other goals, according to the release.
"Gather New Haven is all about bringing the community together to protect the environment and improve public health," Murphy said in the release. "I'm proud to see the Department of Energy investing in their program to empower New Haven's young entrepreneurs to help build an equitable, clean energy future for Connecticut."
In the release, Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., referred to climate change as "not only a real and growing threat to both our environment and way of life as Michiganders, but it also presents an economic opportunity.
"It's critical that we support communities in Michigan and across the country as they transition to more sustainable economies that will not only lower costs and create new jobs, but put them on a stronger path to success." Peters continued, according to the release. "This funding will help Green Door Initiative in Detroit expand their skills training and job placement programs – and continue working to increase energy security while developing a robust clean energy workforce."
Another competition winner, Solar Utilization and Commercialization Coalition for Energy Efficiency Devices in Edinburg, Texas and its work to, among other things, bolster the state's solar manufacturing industry, caught the attention House Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, according to the release.
"South Texas is the place to be for economic opportunities and advancements in renewable energy," Gonzalez said in the release. "I am proud that this funding is coming to South Texas that will create real economic opportunities and improve the infrastructure that benefits everyone."
