Dep’t of Energy Promises $550M for Local “Clean Energy” Projects (EV Infrastructure, Solar) Despite Risks, Warnings

By B.N. Frank

Research has indicated that Americans still aren’t “sold” on electric vehicles (EVs).  Of course, EVs are expensive and their propensity for fires is a big concern for some drivers (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10).  There have also been warnings about EV charging stations threatening power grids.  Additionally, EVs aren’t nearly as eco-friendly as proponents would have us believe.  Significant biological and environmental risks have been raised about solar panels and farms, too (see 1, 2, 3).  Nevertheless, the U.S. Department of Energy recently allotted $550M for “Clean Energy” projects that include EV infrastructure, community solar, and more.

From Utility Dive:

Biden administration makes $550M available for community-based clean energy projects

The funds will be disbursed through the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program

Robert Walton Senior Reporter

The U.S. Department of Energy will make $550 million available to state, Tribal and local governments for energy conservation and the development of clean energy resources through the agency’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program, officials announced Tuesday.

The program is designed to help communities implement strategies to reduce energy consumption and fossil fuel emissions, and improve energy efficiency. Communities can use the funding to deploy electric vehicle infrastructure or community solar, assess the efficiency of residential and commercial buildings, develop energy savings goals, establish financial incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements, or a range of other use cases.

The new funding “is a streamlined and flexible tool for local governments to build their clean energy future,” said Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm.

The EECBG program will be funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which President Biden signed last year. It is the second time the program has been funded, following a $3.2 billion allocation through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 under President Barack Obama.

DOE said communities can “build on prior investments and leverage additional clean energy funding … to achieve sustained impacts that can put their communities on a pathway to decarbonization.”

Applications for the program will open in January, the agency said.

The federal government has recently announced several funding opportunities and awards related to clean energy. Along with the infrastructure law, Biden also signed the Inflation Reduction Act which included $369 billion in incentives for the energy transition.

Granholm on Tuesday also announced companies selected to receive awards from a $100 million block of funding earmarked for technologies that had been originally funded by the agency’s Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy program. And last week, DOE opened the first round of applications for $13 billion in competitive funding for projects to reduce electricity costs, boost resiliency and build out the nation’s aging transmission system.

Activist Post reports regularly about “Clean Energy” projects and unsafe technology.  For more information, visit our archives.

Image: Pixabay

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