U.S. DOE Announces $18 Million Towards Clean Energy & Economic Development in 30 Historically Disadvantaged Communities – CleanTechnica
U.S. DOE Announces $18 Million Towards Clean Energy & Economic Development in 30 Historically Disadvantaged Communities CleanTechnica
sdgtalks
Building on the Successful Communities LEAP Pilot, More Localities Can Now Leverage Support to Lower Energy Bills, Develop Plans for Sustained Clean Energy and Economic Empowerment
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) yesterday announced the second cohort of communities selected as part of the Communities Local Energy Action Program (Communities LEAP), a unique technical assistance initiative designed to help disadvantaged communities and those with historical ties to fossil fuel industries take direct control of their clean energy future. The 30 selected communities will receive a total of $18 million worth of technical assistance to create tailored community-wide action plans that reduce local air pollution, increase energy resilience, lower utility costs and energy burdens, and create good paying jobs.
said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “Through in-depth, customized technical assistance, Communities LEAP helps give local governments, Tribes, and community-based organizations an extra boost to further their progress of actionable plans that lower costs while protecting the health and safety of all residents.”
Communities LEAP
Communities LEAP, which first launched in September 2021 as a pilot initiative, reflects the Biden-Harris Administration’s priorities to assist community-led transitions to a clean energy economy, and to build a healthier, more equitable, and sustainable future. Communities LEAP also implements the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 commitment, which aims to ensure that federal agencies deliver at least 40% of benefits from certain investments to disadvantaged communities and advances the work of the Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities, which focuses on delivering federal investments to hard-hit energy communities.
Selected Communities
- Adjuntas, Jayuya, Lares, Maricao, & Utuado, Puerto Rico
- Alabama’s Black Belt Region, AL
- Alachua County, FL
- Brainerd, MN
- Carbon & Emery Counties, UT
- Carbondale, IL
- Detroit, Highland Park, & River Rouge, MI
- Eastern Kentucky, KY
- El Paso (Central El Paso), TX
- Falls City, NE
- Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, MN
- Harney County, OR
- Harris County (Northeast Houston), TX
- Native Village of Eklutna, AK
- Native Village of Kongiganak, AK
- Native Village of Tyonek, AK
- New Haven County, CT
- Northwest Colorado, CO
- Oakridge, OR
- Oil City, PA
- Orlando (Parramore Neighborhood), FL
- Richmond, VA
- Rosebud & Treasure Counties, MT
- San Diego (Mount Hope), CA
- Seattle (Beacon Hill), WA
- Southwestern Pennsylvania, PA
- Unincorporated Norcross, Gwinnett County, GA
- Waynesville, NC
- West Fresno County, CA
- Yauco (Quebradas Neighborhood), Puerto Rico
Testimonials
“We are so grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration for continuing to invest in Alabama’s Black Belt,” said Representative Terri A. Sewell (AL-07). “Every community deserves clean air and good paying jobs. As we transition to a clean energy future, this program will help ensure that the people of the Black Belt are not left behind.”
“Technical Assistance is vital to develop resilient sophisticated renewable energy projects that can support the specific needs of low resourced, vulnerable communities. Yet that very same technical assistance is often out of reach for these low resourced communities,” said C. P. Smith, Executive Director at the Cooperativa Hidroeléctrica de la Montaña in Puerto Rico. “We are honored to be selected for the Communities LEAP program to allow our team to leap to the next level of the energy project development process to provide cost-effective and resilient energy from renewable sources to the residents in the Cordillera Central of Puerto Rico.”
“The DOE has been outstanding in lowering the barriers to entry into clean energy for communities – like ours – that have been disproportionately energy-burdened, yet often have the most difficulty accessing resources to address those burdens,” said Marvin Lim, Executive Director of the Lucky Shoals Community Association in Norcross, GA. “We’re eager to participate in Communities LEAP to build on the work we’ve done, including through previous DOE engagement, to expand our workforce training of minority entrepreneurs/laborers, to be able to perform much-needed clean energy work right where they live.”
About Communities LEAP
Communities LEAP is managed by DOE’s Office of State and Community Energy Programs and offered in partnership with DOE’s Offices of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Fossil Energy and Carbon Management
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 15: Life on Land
The issues highlighted in the article are related to clean energy, economic empowerment, community development, and environmental sustainability, which align with these SDGs.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
- SDG 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
- SDG 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries.
- SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
- SDG 15.9: By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies, and accounts.
These targets reflect the goals mentioned in the article, such as increasing the use of clean energy, promoting economic growth, developing sustainable communities, addressing climate change, and protecting natural resources.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, the article mentions indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators include:
- Share of renewable energy in the energy mix
- Employment rates and wages
- Investments in clean energy projects
- Reduction in air pollution
- Energy resilience and lower utility costs
- Development of community-wide action plans
- Creation of good paying jobs
These indicators can be used to assess the extent to which the targets are being achieved and the impact of the Communities LEAP program.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix (SDG 7.2) | Share of renewable energy in the energy mix |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all (SDG 8.5) | Employment rates and wages |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries (SDG 11.3) | Investments in clean energy projects, reduction in air pollution, energy resilience and lower utility costs, development of community-wide action plans |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning (SDG 13.2) | Investments in clean energy projects, reduction in air pollution, energy resilience and lower utility costs |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies, and accounts (SDG 15.9) | Investments in clean energy projects, reduction in air pollution, energy resilience and lower utility costs |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: cleantechnica.com
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
