On Aug. 3, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) revealed that the fifth cohort of Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants will allocate a total of $34 million to two states and three tribal nations. Administered by DOE's Grid Deployment Office through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, these grants aim to enhance grid modernization and power sector reliability, mitigating the effects of climate-related extreme weather and natural disasters, according to a press release by the DOE.
"Every community deserves a strong and reliable energy grid that can deploy cleaner, cheaper power to homes and businesses, while keeping their lights on during extreme weather," U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm said.
Recipients include the Aroostook Band of Micmacs, focusing on safeguarding critical tribal facilities from extreme weather and alleviating energy burdens for low-income and disadvantaged tribal members; the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians, enhancing local grid control and bolstering green jobs and workforce development; Missouri, targeting resilience improvements for small and underserved communities; North Carolina, deploying grid modernization technologies to enhance energy reliability in disadvantaged areas; and the Washoe Tribe of Nevada & California, advancing grid modernization and clean energy investments to alleviate energy burdens for vulnerable Tribal communities, according to the press release.
“Thanks to the transformative investments in grid infrastructure under President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, we are strengthening America’s workforce and preparing the nation for a more resilient, clean energy future," Granholm said.
Over the upcoming five years, the Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants program will allocate a total of $2.3 billion to states, territories, federally recognized tribes and entities like Alaska Native Regional Corporations and Alaska Native Village Corporations. This allocation will be determined through a formula that takes into account factors such as population size, land area, historical mitigation spending and the likelihood and severity of disruptive events. These funds will then be disbursed by the respective states, territories and tribes to support a wide range of projects, with an emphasis on those that offer substantial community benefits while ensuring clean, affordable and dependable energy solutions, according to the press release.
