10.04 Good Clean Energy News
New Wind Safety Training Center
The U.S. government is giving $4 million to create a wind safety training center in Walden, Orange County. This new facility will train nearly 500 people in onshore and offshore wind safety skills, helping support over 2,800 jobs. The center will feature hands-on training areas, including sea rescue and fire awareness modules.
Read more: $4 million announced to build Orange County onshore and offshore wind safety training center
Former Coal Towns Win Clean Energy Funds
Dowell and Carrier Mills, two former coal towns in Illinois, each won $200,000 from the U.S. Department of Energy for their clean energy projects. Dowell plans to build a solar corridor with Carbondale, while Carrier Mills is working on solar upgrades for community buildings.
Read more: Former coal towns receive federal prize for commitment to renewable energy
$355M for EV Battery Projects in Michigan
The U.S. Department of Energy is investing $355 million in four Michigan projects to boost electric vehicle battery production. Companies like Revex, Mitra Chem, NanoGraf, and Cabot Corporation will use the funds to expand battery recycling, manufacturing, and supply chains. These projects are part of the Biden administration's effort to create jobs and strengthen the U.S. EV industry.
Read more: Feds announce $355M for 4 electric vehicle battery projects in Michigan
$125M Boost for Kentucky Battery Recycling Plant
Ascend Elements is receiving $125 million from the U.S. Department of Energy for its battery recycling facility in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Partnering with Orbia, the plant will extract and process graphite from recycled batteries, creating a first-of-its-kind production process. This funding is part of a $3 billion national effort to enhance clean energy and electric vehicle battery recycling.
Read more: Planned battery recycling plant in Western Kentucky receives $125 million federal boost
Colorado Gets $20M to Cut Big Building Emissions
Colorado has received $20 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to help reduce carbon emissions in large buildings. The funds will support buildings in underserved communities by improving energy efficiency and providing upgrades like heat pumps and insulation.
Read more: Colorado’s plan to cut carbon from big buildings gets… | Canary Media
US Solar Manufacturing Quadruples After Climate Law
Since the Inflation Reduction Act passed, U.S. solar panel manufacturing has grown rapidly, with capacity nearly quadrupling to over 31 gigawatts. The growth is driven by incentives from the climate law, helping reduce dependence on imports and creating more jobs.
Read more: US solar manufacturing capacity has quadrupled thanks to climate law
USPS’ New Electric Mail Trucks Get Rave Reviews
The Postal Service’s new Next Generation Delivery Vehicles are rolling out, with carriers praising their comfort and safety features. Built by Oshkosh Defense, these trucks are mostly electric and include modern updates like air conditioning, airbags, and 360-degree cameras.
Read more: USPS' long-awaited new mail truck makes its debut to rave reviews from carriers
Sources
"Mid Hudson News." $4 million announced to build Orange County onshore and offshore wind safety training center. Mid Hudson News, 19 Sept. 2024, https://midhudsonnews.com/2024/09/19/4-million-announced-to-build-orange-county-onshore-and-offshore-wind-safety-training-center/.
Wilcoxen, Brandyn. Former coal towns receive federal prize for commitment to renewable energy. The Southern Illinoisan, 20 Sep. 2024, https://thesouthern.com/news/former-coal-towns-receive-federal-prize-for-commitment-to-renewable-energy/article_da97b8f9-0e7c-5c0e-ae6f-42670e1a8da8.html.
Lobo, Arpan. Feds announce $355M for 4 electric vehicle battery projects in Michigan. Detroit Free Press, 20 Sep. 2024, https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2024/09/20/electric-vehicle-battery-projects-michigan/75305378007/.
Niemeyer, Liam. Planned battery recycling plant in Western Kentucky receives $125 million federal boost. WKMS, 22 Sep. 2024, https://www.wkms.org/business-economy/2024-09-22/planned-battery-recycling-plant-in-western-kentucky-receives-125-million-federal-boost.
Takemura, Alison F. Colorado’s plan to cut carbon from big buildings gets a $20M boost. Canary Media, 6 Sep. 2024, https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/carbon-free-buildings/colorados-plan-to-cut-carbon-from-big-buildings-gets-a-20m-boost?utm_medium=email.
Wesoff, Eric. US solar manufacturing capacity has quadrupled thanks to climate law. Canary Media, 9 Sep. 2024, https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/solar/us-solar-manufacturing-capacity-has-quadrupled-thanks-to-climate-law?utm_medium=email.
Sharp, David, and Ron Harris. USPS’ long-awaited new mail truck makes its debut to rave reviews from carriers. AP News, 12 Sep. 2024, https://apnews.com/article/postal-service-next-generation-delivery-vehicle-a2ebbfc7afec0eea2e036eef93bee4d9?utm_medium=email.
