The United States Department of Energy is putting $428 million into clean energy manufacturing projects aimed at revitalizing former coal communities, according to EcoWatch. This funding gives these regions a chance to lead the country's move toward renewable energy.
"As demand grows for clean energy technology, the projects will help prepare the manufacturing industry for what lies ahead," the department said in a statement. The 14 selected projects will focus on producing materials and products that are critical to building a domestic clean energy supply chain.
The funding spans 15 communities in 12 states, including Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Kentucky. Together, the projects are expected to create over 1,900 jobs — many of them union positions — and attract $500 million in private investments to support local economies.
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In Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, one initiative will produce 1,000 linear generators each year. They will improve grid reliability while reducing the need for fossil fuels. By turning coal-dependent areas into hubs for clean energy manufacturing, the program brings new opportunities to regions that have struggled economically and strengthens the country's energy independence.
This effort also ties into policies like the Inflation Reduction Act, which helps households switch to renewable energy and "go electric" with tax incentives. Combined, these initiatives lower costs for households while addressing air pollution and rising temperatures.
For more details on how the Inflation Reduction Act can help you save money on clean energy upgrades for your home, check out The Cool Down's comprehensive IRA guide here. But taking advantage sooner rather than later could save you thousands of dollars, as President-elect Donald Trump has stated that he'd like to eliminate large portions of the Inflation Reduction Act, which could affect people's ability to benefit from the incentives.
"We are leading an unprecedented expansion of American energy production, a manufacturing renaissance, and the essential work of rebuilding our middle class. This is especially true in former coal communities, which are mounting a clean energy comeback by harnessing the urgent climate challenge in front of us and the clean energy solutions we invented here in America," said White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm added: "The transition to America's clean energy future is being driven by the talent and expertise of communities that have powered our country for decades."
With new economic opportunities and cleaner technologies on the horizon, this program gives families and workers in these areas a fresh start, all while contributing to a more sustainable future.
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