The Department of Energy (DOE) has announced $10 million in funding for Climate Resilience Centers (CRCs) across 10 states to support communities vulnerable to extreme climate effects. University-led research teams will utilize DOE national laboratories' modeling, data, and research capabilities tailored to their regions, focusing on predicting weather hazard risks to better prepare communities. This initiative is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative, aimed at ensuring all Americans benefit from scientific research.
“Every pocket of the country has experienced the impact of extreme weather events that are exacerbated by climate change, and disadvantaged communities often feel the brunt of that impact,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “The projects announced today will leverage the world-class expertise and scientific research capacities of DOE’s national laboratories to develop the tools communities will need to inform future decisions for building resiliency.”
Each CRC is led by Minority Serving Institutions and Emerging Research Institutions, with most also collaborating with DOE national labs, other federal agencies, academic institutions, state and municipal agencies, or community organizations. Projects were selected by a peer-review panel focusing on diverse topics, regions, and institutions across the country.
The CRCs aim to form a nucleus for young scientists, engineers, and technicians to further their research while fostering capacity at regional and local levels by connecting with affected communities. The goal is to translate basic research into actionable science for enhanced climate resilience and identify potential future research opportunities.
Research projects among the 10 selectees include predicting coastal flooding and extreme storms; analyzing drought impacts on Tribal and agricultural communities; and improving water quality.
Selected Project Descriptions:
1. **Advancing Development and Climate-Resilient Adaptation Practices via Community-Driven Urban Transformation in St. Louis**: Saint Louis University aims to build regional resilience to heat islands through community engagement.
2. **Climate Lighthouse project**: City College of New York City partners with Brookhaven National Laboratory to help NYC residents cope with extreme heat using DOE climate data.
3. **CRC in Tribal communities along the Missouri River Basin**: Led by South Dakota School of Mines and Technology alongside Tribal nations and PNNL, this project focuses on developing planning tools for drought and flood risks.
4. **Coastal Blend Climate Resilience Project**: A partnership between University of Texas-Arlington and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi focuses on water-related threats in Texas Coastal Bend.
5. **Midwest Climate Resilience Center in Clark County, Ohio**: Central State University collaborates with Ohio State University and PNNL to address extreme rain impacts on drinking water quality.
6. **Climate Resilience Center for Alaska**: University of Alaska Fairbanks works with Los Alamos National Laboratory to enhance communication about DOE science amid Alaska's climate changes.
7. **Space Coast RESCUE**: Florida Institute of Technology partners with Argonne National Laboratory addressing multifaceted climate resilience challenges along Florida's Space Coast.
8. **Building Predictive Capacity to Enhance Stormwater Infrastructure in Michigan**: Central Michigan University leads efforts focused on planning for extreme weather in three pilot watersheds.
9. **Gateway Cities Climate Resilience Center**: University of Massachusetts Lowell collaborates with PNNL aiming at resilient urban planning against extreme temperature events.
10. **Lehigh University's Eastern Pennsylvania project**: In partnership with PNNL, this project examines regional climate action plans' impact on responses to floods and droughts.
Total funding for these projects amounts to $10 million over three years starting Fiscal Year 2024.
Selection for award negotiations does not guarantee funding as applicants must undergo a negotiation process during which DOE may cancel negotiations or rescind selection.
