11.08 Good Clean Energy News
Texas Lands $12M for Electric Upgrades!
Texas just scored over $12 million from the EPA’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act to swap out older diesel engines with clean tech! Five Texas organizations—including Fort Bend County and the Port of Houston—will upgrade trucks and port cranes, boosting air quality and cutting pollution in local communities, especially those impacted by diesel emissions.
Taylor, TX Lands First EV Battery Reuse Factory
Moment Energy is opening the nation’s first EV battery repurposing facility in Taylor, Texas, creating 200 new jobs by 2026. With $20.3 million in federal funding, this one-of-a-kind plant will convert used EV batteries into energy storage for hospitals, airports, and more. This Central Texas facility is set to bring a clean energy boost and major job opportunities!
Read more: Electric vehicle battery re-purposing factory coming to Taylor, first of its kind in the US
$1.5M Powers Up Ohio EV Chargers
Middletown, Ohio just landed a $1.5 million federal grant to install EV charging stations at four prime spots around town. Thanks to this “clean air” funding, EV drivers can soon plug in at the City Building, Jacot Park, Smith Park, and downtown. Councilman Paul Horn says it’s just the beginning for making Middletown a more electric-friendly city!
Read more: $1.5 million grant to pay for public electric vehicle charges at 4 Middletown locations
California’s $4 Billion Boost to Transit
CalTrans is investing nearly $4 billion to revamp travel across California, with funds going toward coastal rail lines, safer highways, new hydrogen stations, and bike-friendly pathways. Thanks to federal and state funding, these projects will boost safety, cut commute times, and create thousands of jobs—all while supporting cleaner, greener travel for everyone!
Read more: CalTrans investing nearly $4 billion to improve travel infrastructure
North Carolina Solar Trailers Power Up in Crisis
When Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina, solar trailers powered satellite hotspots and essential devices for rural communities without power. Footprint Project's portable solar units, distributed by volunteers, brought much-needed connectivity to areas like Buncombe County where outages lasted over a week. While stationary solar systems couldn't help without battery backup, these mobile arrays delivered reliable energy in a crisis—keeping residents connected and aiding relief efforts.
Read more: Solar energy helped keep the lights on after Helene, but not how you might think
$162M for High-Tech Methane Monitoring
The United States is backing LongPath Technologies with a $162 million loan to launch a real-time methane monitoring network across major oil and gas hubs. The project will create over 300 jobs and deploy cutting-edge tech to prevent methane leaks, supporting energy efficiency and economic growth.
$27M for Clean Energy Jobs
The United States is investing $27 million to train energy auditors across 15 states and territories. From Hawai’i to Georgia, this funding will support skilled jobs in energy efficiency, helping more workers access stable roles in the green building workforce, especially in underserved communities.
Big Bucks Fuel Arizona’s EV Expansion
Arizona’s landing $205 million in federal funds to expand EV charging across highways and underserved areas. With electric vehicles booming statewide, the funding aims to create jobs and make EVs more accessible for all drivers.
Karmia, Nick. "$205 Million in Federal Funding Awarded to Arizona for EV Infrastructure." KJZZ, 28 Oct. 2024, www.kjzz.org/business/2024-10-28/205-million-in-federal-funding-awarded-to-arizona-for-ev-infrastructure.
Read more: $205 million in federal funding awarded to Arizona for EV infrastructure
USDA’s $1.5B for Conservation Focuses on Illinois
The USDA is investing $1.5 billion in 92 conservation projects, with $18.9 million directed to Illinois. Projects support habitat restoration, reduced nitrogen runoff, and clean energy initiatives on working lands, boosting climate resilience.
Read more: USDA invests $1.5B in 92 partnership projects, including in Illinois
U.S. Power Grid Expands Battery Capacity
The U.S. has added over 20 gigawatts of battery storage—equivalent to 20 nuclear reactors—to stabilize renewable energy. California and Texas lead in installations, with capacity projected to double by 2025 to support the clean energy transition
Sources
Robledo, Joe, and Jennah Durant. "Biden-Harris Administration Announces Over $12 Million to Texas Organizations to Upgrade Older Diesel Engines to Cleaner and Zero-Emission Solutions." EPA, 21 Oct. 2024, https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/biden-harris-administration-announces-over-12-million-texas-organizations-upgrade.
Al-Shaikh, Sarah. "Electric Vehicle Battery Re-Purposing Factory Coming to Taylor, First of Its Kind in the US." KXAN, 23 Oct. 2024, https://www.kxan.com/news/local/williamson-county/electric-vehicle-battery-re-purposing-factory-coming-to-taylor-first-of-its-kind-in-the-us/.
Pack, Lauren. "$1.5 Million Grant to Pay for Public Electric Vehicle Charges at 4 Middletown Locations." Journal-News, 21 Oct. 2024, https://www.journal-news.com/news/15-million-grant-to-pay-for-public-electric-vehicle-charges-at-4-middletown-locations/
News Channel 3-12. "CalTrans Investing Nearly $4 Billion to Improve Travel Infrastructure." KEYT, 19 Oct. 2024, https://keyt.com/news/san-luis-obispo-county/2024/10/19/caltrans-investing-nearly-4-billion-to-improve-travel-infrastructure/. Accessed 7 Nov. 2024.
Turner, Zachary. "Solar Energy Helped Keep the Lights On after Helene, but Not How You Might Think." WFAE, 22 Oct. 2024, https://www.wfae.org/energy-environment/2024-10-22/solar-energy-helped-keep-the-lights-on-after-helene-but-not-how-you-might-think. Accessed 7 Nov. 2024.
U.S. Department of Energy. "Biden-Harris Administration Announces $162 Million Loan Guarantee to LongPath Technologies to Support Deployment of Methane Emissions Monitoring Network." Energy.gov, 23 Oct. 2024, www.energy.gov/articles/biden-harris-administration-announces-162-million-loan-guarantee-longpath-technologies.
U.S. Department of Energy. "Biden-Harris Administration Announces Over $27 Million to Catalyze the Clean Energy Workforce as Part of Investing in America Agenda." Energy.gov, 24 Oct. 2024, www.energy.gov/articles/biden-harris-administration-announces-over-27-million-catalyze-clean-energy-workforce-part.
Karmia, Nick. "$205 Million in Federal Funding Awarded to Arizona for EV Infrastructure." KJZZ, 28 Oct. 2024, www.kjzz.org/business/2024-10-28/205-million-in-federal-funding-awarded-to-arizona-for-ev-infrastructure.
WAND TV. "USDA Invests $1.5B in 92 Partnership Projects, Including in Illinois." WAND, 28 Oct. 2024, www.wandtv.com/news/usda-invests-1-5b-in-92-partnership-projects-including-in-illinois/article_0065339e-9533-11ef-9bb6-df55a2d7bf19.html.
Milman, Oliver. “US Power Grid Added Battery Equivalent of 20 Nuclear Reactors in Past Four Years.” The Guardian, 24 Oct. 2024,www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/oct/24/power-grid-battery-capacity-growth. Accessed 7 Nov. 2024.
