The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has selected 12 local governments and tribes to receive over $31 million in funding through the Communities Sparking Investments in Transformative Energy (C-SITE) program.
The initiative focuses on supporting clean energy projects in disadvantaged communities, energy communities, and small- and medium-sized jurisdictions.
“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,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm.
Along with the grant funding, recipients will receive technical assistance to aid in project implementation. This includes the option to have a Community Energy Fellow, a clean energy expert sponsored by the DOE, who will work within the community for 18 months to provide support and help ensure the success of the projects.
The funding also supports workforce development, such as training apprentices in e-bike maintenance in New Orleans and unionized training programs for energy efficiency in various regions.
In Chattanooga, Tennessee, a $2.9 million grant will transform the James A. Henry building into a community resilience hub, incorporating energy-efficient technologies such as roof insulation, high-performance windows, LED lighting, and an energy-efficient chiller. The hub will also provide essential services, such as employment assistance and early childhood education.
Hennepin County, Minnesota, will receive $2.5 million to conduct residential energy audits, weatherization, and energy efficiency upgrades in disadvantaged communities. The project also includes solar energy installations at two resilience hubs and will create training and green job opportunities for local residents.
Among the notable initiatives, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, will use $3.4 million to develop 25 all-electric, net-zero energy homes on vacant lots in three disadvantaged communities, utilizing off-site construction of panel systems. The Hopi Tribe in Arizona will receive $3.4 million to add a grid-tied Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to their existing microgrid, reducing reliance on costly and unreliable diesel generators. Meanwhile, Highland Park in Michigan will invest $2.5 million to install and maintain 30 solar-powered streetlights to enhance public safety and reduce energy costs.
Additional projects include the development of agrivoltaics systems in Greenville, Florida, and the creation of a municipally-owned utility solar energy initiative in Raton, New Mexico, which will generate 750kW of solar capacity.
