Biden administration gives more than $26 million in clean energy grants

The Biden administration said on Wednesday that will donate more than US$26.9 million in grants to support clean energy projects across the country.

“Energy-efficient upgrades are a surefire way to reduce costs and strengthen the resilience of communities across the country,” Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said in a press release from her department.

“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is equipping local governments with funds to turn clean energy plans into real actions that deliver benefits in every corner of the country,” Granholm continued.

The grants, which will go to nine states, 27 local governments and one tribe, come through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program, according to the press release. Funds from the program help state, local and tribal governments implement plans aimed at reducing fossil fuel emissions and energy use, according to a notice of intent shared with The Hill.

“The awards announced this month include governments that will use funds from the EECBG Program to install [electric vehicle] charging infrastructure, develop electric bike incentive programs, perform energy audits on municipal buildings, provide retrofits and efficiency upgrades to low-income communities, and more,” the press release says.

In February, the Biden administration announced more than $350 million for rural renewable energy projects. The $366 million would be allocated to more than 17 projects in 20 states and 30 tribal nations, according to Granholm.

“These projects showcase rural and remote communities [and] innovative approaches to deploying clean energy. They encompass technologies, are replicable, scalable, and include everything from building microgrids for community health centers so they never lose power to life-saving equipment, medical equipment, to building a new hydroelectric facility on tribal lands which will offset the need for expensive diesel fuel,” Granholm said.