(Washington, D.C., Friday, June 9, 2023) – Rural and remote communities often suffer from lack of energy access and high energy costs. The Department of Energy is seeking to address many of these issues, offering $50 million in grants to support clean energy in rural and remote areas. These grants can be used to improve access to affordable, reliable, clean energy.
The Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) Program aims to fund clean energy projects with at least one of the following clean energy objectives:
1. Improving overall cost-effectiveness of energy generation, transmission or distribution systems
2. Siting or upgrading transmission and distribution lines
3. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from energy generation in rural or remote areas
4. Providing or modernizing electric generation facilities
5. Developing microgrids
6. Increasing energy efficiency
The Department of Energy expects to award 10-100 grants between $500,000 to $5 million. Apply for grant funding now at energy.gov/eragrant. The deadline for applying is July 13, 2023.
SOUNDBITE #1
RURAL AND REMOTE COMMUNITIES FACE UNIQUE ENERGY CHALLENGES LIKE HIGH UTILITY BILLS AND UNRELIABLE ELECTRICITY, ESPECIALLY DURING EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS.
SOUNDBITE #2
THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY IS OFFERING $50 MILLION IN GRANTS TO SUPPORT CLEAN ENERGY PROJECTS IN RURAL AND REMOTE COMMUNITIES. THESE ENERGY GRANTS ARE EASY TO APPLY FOR AND CAN BE USED TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE, RELIABLE, CLEAN ENERGY.