Uncategorized

The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded a federal grant to the Inland Power and Light Company, a rural electric cooperative, to purchase wind and solar energy. This grant aims to power approximately 23,000 homes and is expected to create over 450 jobs. The funding initiative is designed to support rural America and disadvantaged communities. The project demonstrates a commitment to reducing climate pollution while providing renewable energy.

The Steelton-Highspire School District installed a 1.7 MW solar array, now meeting 100% of its electricity demands and projected to save $3.6 million over 20 years. By leveraging federal rebates, the district also acquired electric school buses, which save $20,000 in annual fuel expenses. This combination of solar power with on-site bus charging stations avoids costly utility upgrades. This initiative exemplifies how schools can address financial issues and reduce carbon emissions simultaneously.

New Yorkers are benefitting from a federal funding program aimed at making homes more energy-efficient. The state received an initial $158 million from the Inflation Reduction Act to help residents save on insulation and energy-efficient appliances. Eligible low- and moderate-income New Yorkers can receive up to $14,000 for these upgrades. As a result, tens of thousands of energy-saving home improvements have been completed, leading to significant savings on energy bills.

The U.S. Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office (LPO) announced a conditional commitment of up to $6.57 billion to Rivian New Horizon, LLC to support the construction of an EV manufacturing facility in Stanton Springs North, Georgia. This project, known as Project Horizon, is expected to create up to 2,000 construction jobs and 7,500 operations jobs by 2030, boosting the regional economy and supporting the production of up to 400,000 electric vehicles annually.

Groundswell, a community power nonprofit, unveiled one of Georgia's first community-owned resilience hubs at Community Church in West Atlanta. This hub, powered by solar energy and battery storage, can provide up to three days of backup power for critical services during power outages and severe weather. The project was completed in partnership with several organizations, including Stryten Energy, InterUrban Solar, and the City of Atlanta’s Office of Sustainability and Resilience. The hub's financing leveraged federal tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act, ensuring the church's debt-free ownership. This initiative aims to enhance local resilience and reduce energy burdens in the community.

Federal grants have been awarded to boost property cleanups in Superior, focusing on revitalizing contaminated sites and promoting sustainable redevelopment. The funding aims to support local efforts in assessing, cleaning up, and repurposing brownfield sites, which are properties complicated by the presence of hazardous substances. This initiative is expected to enhance community resilience and environmental health in the region. The grants will also help address climate change impacts by incorporating climate-smart planning and equitable development strategies. Overall, the project seeks to transform these areas into safe, sustainable spaces for the community.

The Heartquists purchased the 120-acre butchering facility with a USDA farm loan and quickly realized that it needed attention. The land wasn’t in great condition, and the equipment needed to be upgraded.Using free grant writing guidance from Local First Arizona’s Economic Resource Center, the Heartquists received a $200,000 USDA grant to renovate the facility as part of the American Rescue Plan Act, a stimulus package approved by Congress in 2021.

The Cocopah Indian Tribe was prepared to cover the costs of building a solar farm to serve its rural Arizona reservation. But by working with a grant writer from Local First Arizona, the tribe received $5 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to cover the bulk of the costs for the project.

It is not a stretch to say that Adam Schaller, a hardworking business owner who operates Lakeshore Die Cast with his dad, is somewhat of a trendsetter in southwest Michigan’s quaint Village of Baroda. What began for Schaller a few years ago with a desire to mitigate a tax burden and reduce fixed costs has evolved into a solar-powered domino effect across the town of fewer than 1,000 residents.

The Gila River Indian Community has launched an innovative project to install solar panels over a canal, aiming to generate clean energy while preserving water resources. This initiative is part of their broader commitment to sustainability and renewable energy. The project is expected to provide significant environmental benefits and serve as a model for other communities. By combining solar power with water conservation, the Gila River Indian Community is taking a holistic approach to addressing climate change. This project highlights the potential for innovative solutions to contribute to a more sustainable future.