As an avid advocate for renewable energy solutions, I’ve been closely following the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to invest in and support the energy communities that have powered our nation for generations. The recent announcement of historic new actions to create jobs, lower costs, and drive investments in these communities has me feeling energized (pun intended!) about the prospects for a clean energy future.
Powering Up: The White House’s Investing in America Agenda
President Biden came to the White House with a clear mission: to end the years of “big words but little action” when it comes to supporting the energy-producing parts of the country that have faced job losses and economic challenges for far too long. The administration’s Investing in America Agenda is already starting to turn the tide, bringing manufacturing jobs back home and ensuring that we rebuild our economy from the “bottom-up and the middle-out, not top-down” – so that no community is left behind.
The actions announced by the White House are truly impressive. They build on the more than $14 billion in federal investments that the Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities and Economic Revitalization has driven to the hardest-hit energy communities across the country. This includes $480 million in American Rescue Plan funds for economic development, $877 million for abandoned mine land reclamation, and the largest-ever Appalachian Regional Commission awards to coal communities.
But the administration’s efforts don’t stop there. They’ve also helped drive more than $74 billion in private sector investments to spur the creation and retention of good-paying jobs, strengthen our energy security, and lower energy costs for families. These investments cover a wide range of clean energy projects, from solar array construction and energy storage to critical minerals processing and steel production.
Brightening the Future: Transforming Brownfields into Brightfields
One particularly inspiring aspect of the administration’s approach is the focus on reclaiming undervalued real estate for clean energy generation and storage. As a leader in full-service, community-scale renewable energy development, I’m excited to see the emphasis on transforming brownfields into brightfields – a concept pioneered by companies like Encore Renewable Energy.
Encore’s team of experts, including industry veterans, engineering, legal, and finance experts, as well as community leaders, are working tirelessly to put their innovation, experience, and integrity to work for the communities they serve. By specializing in reclaiming underutilized sites for clean energy projects, they are helping to revitalize communities and create a cleaner, brighter future for all.
Fostering Inclusive Growth: Promoting Diversity and Equity
But the administration’s efforts go beyond just economic revitalization. They are also committed to promoting understanding and diversity within the clean energy industry and the communities it serves. As a mission-driven organization, Encore Renewable Energy shares this core value, recognizing that we have not done enough as a company, as individuals, and as a nation to root out systemic racial injustice, police brutality, and white supremacy.
By partnering with organizations like Encore, the Biden-Harris Administration is ensuring that the clean energy transition benefits all Americans, not just a select few. This focus on inclusive growth and equitable development is critical for building a sustainable and just future.
Charting a Course for the Future
The $500 million program to transform mines into new clean energy hubs, announced by the Department of Energy, is just one example of the innovative approaches being explored to revitalize energy communities. This initiative, along with the broader efforts of the Interagency Working Group, suggests that the administration is thinking creatively and strategically about the challenges facing these communities.
As I delve deeper into the details of these programs and investments, I’m struck by the sense of optimism and possibility that they evoke. It’s clear that the Biden-Harris Administration is committed to a future where clean energy is not just a buzzword, but a transformative force that empowers communities, creates good-paying jobs, and strengthens our nation’s energy security.
Of course, there is still much work to be done, and the path forward may not always be smooth. Ongoing research and evolving conclusions will likely continue to shape the landscape of renewable energy solutions. But with the $500 billion in relevant or targeted funding opportunities for energy communities identified by the Interagency Working Group, I’m confident that the future is bright for those communities that have powered our nation for generations.
So, what’s next? Well, I encourage you to explore the resources available on the Interagency Working Group’s EnergyCommunitiesGov website, and to stay up-to-date on the latest developments from the Biden-Harris Administration and organizations like Encore Renewable Energy. Together, we can build a cleaner, more equitable, and more prosperous future for all.