Jennifer M. Granholm Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy | Official Website
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Biden-Harris Administration has announced a significant investment of more than $78 million to support 19 clean energy projects across rural and remote communities in the United States. The funding, provided by the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aims to drive down energy costs, enhance energy security, and promote local economic development while building climate-resilient communities.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm highlighted the impact of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, stating, “President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is delivering progress and prosperity to families in every pocket of the nation. Through these transformative investments, rural and remote communities from coast to coast are able to map a clean energy future that revitalizes local economies and cuts the pollution that is fueling the climate crisis and driving environmental injustice.”
The selected projects, part of the Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) program, aim to address the unique energy challenges faced by rural communities, such as higher electric bills, unreliable energy supplies, and lack of access to electricity. These projects, ranging from solar and wind technologies to microgrids and energy storage systems, seek to leverage the abundant clean energy potential in rural America.
In alignment with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, all 19 projects are located in or near disadvantaged communities disproportionately affected by pollution and historical neglect. The initiatives include a diverse range of solutions, such as rooftop solar installations in Alabama, microgrid development in Oklahoma, battery energy storage deployment in Montana, and electric distribution line extensions in Washington.
Furthermore, the administration’s commitment to transparency and community engagement is evident through a series of national and regional virtual briefings organized by the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) to provide information on the selected projects and opportunities for involvement.
As the negotiation process for awarding funding progresses, the DOE and the selected parties will work towards finalizing the grants, with a continued focus on supporting clean and equitable energy solutions for rural communities across America.
