The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced $50 million in new grant funding for community-based energy projects located in rural and remote areas across the country.
“Designed to recognize and address the distinct energy challenges faced by rural communities, this funding aims to increase energy affordability and promote climate resilience in areas with fewer than 10,000 people by supporting projects with a dollar amount of $500,000 to $5 million,” DOE said.
This funding opportunity is managed by DOE’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations.
Applicants are required to submit Community Benefits Plans to ensure benefits spread equitably across affected communities. These plans, now included across most DOE funding opportunities, are based on a set of four core policy priorities: investing in America's workforce; engaging communities and labor; advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility; and implementing the Justice40 Initiative.
Read the full funding opportunity announcement for the ERA program here. The submission deadline for pre-applications is July 13, 2023, and full applications are due by October 12, 2023.
