11.01 Good Clean Energy News
Puerto Rico Solar-Battery Project Gets $860M Boost
The Biden-Harris administration announced a $861.3 million loan guarantee for a solar and battery storage project in Puerto Rico. This initiative will add 200 MW of clean energy generation and 285 MW of storage, powering 43,000 homes and cutting emissions equal to 533,000 gas-powered cars. The project will create 750 construction jobs, support local communities, and help Puerto Rico transition to a fully clean energy grid by 2050.
California District Rolls Out Electric Buses
San Marcos Unified School District, in California, launched new clean-energy infrastructure, adding a microgrid, 40 electric-bus charging stations, solar power, and battery storage. With 33 electric buses now in service, the upgrades are expected to save $40 million in energy costs. The project also includes LED lighting and HVAC enhancements, backed by federal and local funding.
Read more: San Marcos school district launches clean-energy infrastructure, electric buses
DOE Invests $3B in Aviation Fuel Projects
The Department of Energy committed $3 billion to two clean energy projects for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Montana and South Dakota. Montana Renewables and Gevo aim to produce a combined 375 million gallons of SAF per year. These initiatives align with the Biden administration’s target to significantly boost SAF production, reducing aviation emissions and supporting the U.S. bioeconomy.
Read more: DOE makes $3B commitment to two sustainable aviation fuel projects
BLM Approves Major Utah Geothermal Project
The Bureau of Land Management has greenlit the Cape Geothermal Power Project in Utah, which could generate 2,000 MW—enough for 2 million homes. Alongside this, the Interior Department is proposing to streamline geothermal permitting, potentially speeding up resource discovery in states like Nevada. Enhanced geothermal systems, like Cape's, use injected water to harness heat from subsurface rocks, pushing forward the clean energy agenda.
Read more: BLM approves massive geothermal project, moves to ease permitting - E&E News by POLITICO
Nevada Boosts Clean Energy Jobs with $2M Grant
Nevada received nearly $2 million from the Department of Labor to expand clean energy job opportunities through Project CEJA. This initiative aims to train 2,500 workers for roles in the clean energy and lithium supply chain over five years. It will focus on recruiting and training underserved groups, creating well-paying pathways in Nevada’s rural and tribal areas, and strengthening the lithium battery sector.
Read more: Nevada secures funding to boost clean energy jobs
Indiana Farmers & Businesses Get $12M for Clean Energy
The USDA is investing over $12 million in Indiana's farmers and small businesses through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). This funding will support 64 projects, including energy efficiency upgrades like new washers and dryers for Extreme Clean Laundries in Jackson County. The REAP initiative aims to reduce energy costs and advance clean energy while benefiting rural communities and aligning with the Justice40 Initiative.
Maine Secures $65M Grant for Grid Tech
Maine's Governor’s Energy Office won a $65 million federal grant to modernize the state’s grid through the FIRM project. Collaborating with local utilities, the initiative will enhance grid stability, regulate voltage, and connect more clean energy sources like wind and solar. The funding, matched dollar-for-dollar by Maine, comes from the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and will support technologies ensuring energy resilience and efficiency across the state.
Read more: Maine Gets $65M Fed Grant for "Clean Energy" Tech
Iowa Sees Clean Energy Job Growth Surge
Clean energy jobs in Iowa grew by 4.5% in 2023, with a 4% increase projected this year, driven by federal incentives like the Inflation Reduction Act. The electric vehicle sector saw an impressive 8.7% growth. Small businesses are key players, employing 74% of the clean energy workforce, while investments in wind and solar continue to fuel economic opportunities across the state.
Read more: Clean energy jobs, propelled by federal incentives, jump in Iowa | The Gazette
Sources
U.S. Department of Energy. “Biden-Harris Administration Announces More Than $860 Million Loan Guarantee to Support Construction of Two Solar Photovoltaic Farms and Two Standalone Battery Energy Storage Systems in Puerto Rico.” Energy.gov, 15 Oct. 2024, https://www.energy.gov/articles/biden-harris-administration-announces-more-860-million-loan-guarantee-support-construction.
“San Marcos School District Launches Clean Energy Infrastructure, Electric Buses.” North Coast Current, 16 Oct. 2024, https://www.northcoastcurrent.com/region/2024/10/san-marcos-school-district-launches-clean-energy-infrastructure-electric-buses/
Gallucci, Maria. "DOE Makes $3B Commitment to Two Sustainable Aviation Fuel Projects." Canary Media, 16 Oct. 2024, https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/air-travel/doe-makes-3b-commitment-to-two-sustainable-aviation-fuel-projects
Streater, Scott. "BLM Approves Massive Geothermal Project, Moves to Ease Permitting." E&E News, 17 Oct. 2024, https://www.eenews.net/articles/blm-approves-massive-geothermal-project-moves-to-ease-permitting/.
“Nevada Secures Funding to Boost Clean Energy Jobs.” MyNews4, by News 4 & Fox 11 Digital Staff, 21 Oct. 2024, updated 21 Oct. 2024, https://mynews4.com/news/local/nevada-secures-funding-to-boost-clean-energy-jobs.
Woods, Aubrey. "USDA Invests More Than $12 Million in REAP Funding to Hoosier Farmers, Small Businesses." Tribune, 21 Oct. 2024, https://tribtown.com/2024/10/21/usda-invests-more-than-12-million-in-reap-funding-to-hoosier-farmers-small-businesses/.
Palanza, Libby. "Maine Gets $65M Fed Grant for ‘Clean Energy’ Tech." The Maine Wire, 21 Oct. 2024, updated 21 Oct. 2024, https://www.themainewire.com/2024/10/maine-gets-65m-fed-grant-for-clean-energy-tech/.
Cohen, Olivia. "Clean Energy Jobs Propelled by Federal Incentives Jump in Iowa." The Gazette, 21 Oct. 2024, updated 21 Oct. 2024, https://www.thegazette.com/environment-nature/clean-energy-jobs-propelled-by-federal-incentives-jump-in-iowa/.
