Jennifer M. Granholm Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy | Official Website
On September 5, 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the allocation of over $31 million in funding to 12 local governments and tribes through the Communities Sparking Investments in Transformative Energy (C-SITE) initiative. This effort aligns with the Biden-Harris Administration's Investing in America agenda and aims to support high-impact clean energy projects in disadvantaged communities, energy transition communities, and small- and medium-sized jurisdictions.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to ensuring that every community in the country is able to take advantage of the benefits of the clean energy economy,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “By investing in energy projects in smaller, disadvantaged, and energy transition communities, these grants will reduce energy costs, increase resilience and create jobs and economic opportunity in places that have historically been left behind by federal programs.”
Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly highlighted one such project: “The James A. Henry building was already going to operate as a health clinic and early childhood education center for the people of the Westside, and now it will also be an energy efficient resilience hub. This grant was only possible because of our Climate Action Plan and the hard work of the Chattanooga Housing Authority. I want to thank the Department of Energy for recognizing the need for investment on the Westside.”
C-SITE seeks to fund projects that stimulate additional investments while delivering direct benefits such as workforce agreements, reduced energy costs, improved air quality, and enhanced quality of life. Selected communities are focusing on various clean energy approaches including building efficiency, electrification, clean transportation, microgrid development, renewable energy deployment, and workforce development.
Recipients will also receive technical assistance for project implementation. Notably, they can host a Community Energy Fellow—a DOE-sponsored professional who will help build capacity within their community over an 18-month period.
“We are thrilled by this opportunity to assist our underserved residents and communities with energy conservation and electrification improvements,” said Hennepin County Housing Program Manager Mike Jensen from Minnesota. “This project will reduce energy costs, improve health outcomes, and help protect families from future energy cost increases and climate change effects.”
The first round of selectees includes diverse projects across various states:
- City of Chattanooga (TN): Creation of a community resilience hub ($2.9M).
- Town of Greenville (FL): Installation of agrivoltaics systems ($3M).
- Hennepin County (MN): Residential audits and solar installation ($2.5M).
- City of Highland Park (MI): Solar-powered streetlights installation ($2.5M).
- Hopi Utilities Corporation (AZ): Battery Energy Storage System addition ($3.4M).
- Native Village of Kotzebue (AK): Investment in renewable solar energy ($3.35M).
- City of Milwaukee (WI): Development of Net-Zero Energy Homes ($3.4M).
- City of New Orleans (LA): Expansion of bike share system ($1.7M).
- Orick Community Services District (CA): Establishment of a resilient microgrid ($900K).
- Raton Public Service Company (NM): Completion Phase 2 utility solar initiative ($2M).
- Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians (MN): Innovative microgrid system investment ($3.15M).
- Region Five Development Commission (MN): Inclusive clean energy financing for rural projects ($2.5M).
For further details on these initiatives or more information about C-SITE funding opportunities, visit the Local Government Energy Program website or contact LGEP@hq.doe.gov.
