To ensure that the benefits of the clean energy transitions reach all Americans, EERE is using a community-driven approach—deploying resources and solutions directly into communities based on their individual challenges and needs. Each community is unique, so check out some of our programs to see how EERE can help a community like yours access clean energy.
Island and remote communities have unique physical features that fundamentally shape what energy options they have available. That’s why DOE’s Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP) provides technical assistance to help these communities transform their energy systems and increase their energy resilience. Since 2021, ETIPP has aided 32 communities in their energy transitions, and we’re ready to help more! If your community would like to join the fourth ETIPP cohort, register for the informational webinar on April 24 and apply by July 10.
The Clean Energy to Communities (C2C) program provides communities with expertise and tools to achieve their clean energy goals through:
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In-Depth Partnerships: Communities can submit proposals for up to $500,000 in funding and $3.5 million in technical assistance over three years to develop secure, reliable, resilient, equitable, and affordable clean energy systems. Submit your proposal by June 14.
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Peer-Learning Cohorts: This six-month program convenes groups of communities to exchange strategies and best practices for their clean energy transitions. For example, the San Diego Association of Governments based in California joined a peer-learning cohort focused on integrating community voices into clean energy planning and development. Their cohort experience is now helping them codevelop clean energy programs with those they serve! The next round of peer-learning cohorts will convene this July on topics like energy efficiency, electrifying municipal fleets, and agrivoltaics. Apply by April 30.
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Expert Match: This 3–4-month program pairs communities with national laboratory experts for 40–60 hours of technical assistance to address near-term clean energy challenges and questions. We review expert match applications on a rolling basis, so apply now!
Want to learn more about how C2C can help your community? Read the annual report for examples and testimony from communities that have benefitted from the program.
DOE just announced up to $22 million to improve planning, siting, and permitting processes for large-scale renewable energy facilities. Six state-based projects will receive $10 million through round one of the Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP) program to develop and expand statewide initiatives that provide expertise, trainings, and technical resources to local governments and communities.
The new Public Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure Playbook provides interactive resources to help communities plan and build the infrastructure needed to support a net zero-emission transportation system. The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation encourages communities, planning organizations, local and state governments, tribal nations, and other decision makers to use the Playbook to navigate key considerations and drive local progress in EV infrastructure through videos, worksheets, and additional resources.
From heating hot-water bathing resorts to melting snow from sidewalks, geothermal energy has the power to heat and cool entire neighborhoods, city blocks, university campuses, and communities. EERE’s Geothermal Technologies Office is working hard to advance the adoption of geothermal heating and cooling systems nationwide through initiatives like the Community Geothermal Heating and Cooling Design and Deployment initiative, which is supporting 11 community coalitions in 10 states to plan and design community-scale geothermal heating and cooling systems. Check out these success stories to get inspired by other “hot” ideas for community geothermal.
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