The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced the Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project to help 12 competitively selected remote and island communities to strengthen energy infrastructure, reduce outage risks and improve their future energy and economic outlook.
The communities, due to geographic limitations, "often face high energy costs and vulnerable energy infrastructure due to their increased risk of natural disasters and climate change," according to a June 14 DOE news release.
"As climate change intensifies, remote and island communities, which experience higher energy costs and may lack the financial resources and expertise to make their energy systems more resilient, are more at risk to extreme weather events," DOE Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm said in the news release. "DOE will connect 12 more communities with our world-renowned National Labs to execute strategic and locally-tailored clean energy and resilience solutions, driving the nation’s equitable transition to a net-zero economy."
According to the news release, the selected communities are Aquinnah and Chilmark, Mass.; Bainbridge Island, Wash.; Beaver Island, Mich.; Guam Power Authority, Guam; Hui o Hau'ula, Hawaii; Igiugig, Alaska; Makah Tribe, Neah Bay, Wash.; McGrath, Alaska; Microgrid of the Mountain, Puerto Rico; Mount Desert Island, Maine; Nikolski and St. George, Alaska; and University of Hawaii, Hawaii.
“Clean energy availability is one of the keys to unlocking a future of renewable, reliable and affordable power,” said U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, of Main, in a joint statement, according to the release. “As home to one of the crown jewels of America’s National Park System, Mount Desert Island has long been a model for environmental stewardship and has made significant strides to preserve Acadia’s natural wonders. We welcome this investment, which will help the community accelerate its plans to increase the resiliency of the local grid and transition to a clean energy future.”
Alaska U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski cited her state's geography, its "frequent natural disasters, and harsh climate" that requires its residents "be innovative as we work to deploy affordable and resilient energy systems," the release reported.
"I've been a longtime supporter of our National Labs and I have seen firsthand the benefits to Alaska from their research," Murkowski said in the release. "While we have many challenges in Alaska, we also have unique opportunities to find the next level of ingenuity, innovation and great solutions. Today’s announcement will help us build upon those strengths and allow more resilient energy infrastructure within the communities of Igiugig, McGrath, Nikolski and St. George. I look forward to seeing the partnerships that will be forged between Alaskans and the Department of Energy and the lasting solutions they will find to some of our state’s most pressing energy needs."
"It is time we power our homes, schools, and communities with clean, affordable and reliable American-made energy," U.S. Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., said in the news release. "That is why I am delighted the Department of Energy is partnering with Aquinnah and Chilmark of Martha’s Vineyard. This cooperation will not only support Massachusetts island communities achieve their dreams for a future powered by wind and solar, but will lower energy costs and improve air quality for all residents."
