The Energy Resilient Communities Act would direct the Department of Energy to offer grants for clean energy microgrids and related planning, technical help, and community outreach. Microgrids could support important local services or homes of people with medical energy needs. The bill gives priority to projects that benefit environmental justice communities and lists other priorities, including community ownership, lower pollution, and stronger resilience. It also sets labor and domestic-material rules for projects.
Eligible entities such as local governments, utilities, Tribal agencies, and nonprofits could apply for grants. A funded microgrid could serve places such as hospitals, schools, water systems, shelters, or homes of medical baseline customers. The bill does not guarantee that a particular community or resident would receive a grant.
For fiscal years 2025 through 2034, the bill would authorize $50 million per year for technical assistance and outreach grants, and $1.5 billion per year for microgrid project grants. Federal funding generally could cover up to 60% of costs, or up to 90% for work in an environmental justice community. A project grant could not exceed $10 million. These amounts are authorizations, not a statement that funds have been appropriated.
The bill's stated priorities include improving community energy resilience, supporting clean energy microgrids, and directing priority to projects that benefit environmental justice communities. No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.