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

The Biden administration said Wednesday that it will give more than $26.9 million in grants in support of clean energy projects across the country.

“Energy efficient upgrades are a surefire way to bring down costs and shore up resiliency for communities across the nation,” 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 transform 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 by way of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG), according to the press release. Funds from the program assist state, local and tribal governments to put in place plans with a goal of lowering fossil fuel emissions and energy use, per a notice of intent shared with The Hill.

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

Back 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, per Granholm.

“These projects showcase rural and remote communities [and] innovative approaches to clean energy deployment. They span technologies, they are replicable, they’re scalable, and they include everything from building micro grids for community health centers so they never lose power for lifesaving equipment, medical equipment, to constructing a new hydroelectric facility on tribal lands that’ll offset the need for expensive diesel fuel,” Granholm said.