WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) today announced up to $3.5 million in federal funding available to help local communities across the country create a roadmap toward repurposing existing energy assets. The Capacity Building for Repurposing Energy Assets initiative will assist communities where a significant portion of their local economy has historically been supported by energy assets, such as coal, oil, and/or natural gas power facilities and accompanying equipment and infrastructure. The initiative will help these communities build technical capacity and develop a workforce necessary to help revitalize energy systems, address environmental impacts, and tackle challenges associated with energy assets that have been retired, or are slated for retirement. This effort advances FECM’s mission of minimizing environmental and climate impacts of energy systems and industrial processes while working to achieve net-zero emissions across our economy and the broader DOE mission of ensuring efficient transformation of the energy system while prioritizing labor and community engagement.
“As we work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and expand deployment of clean energy technology and infrastructure, it’s imperative that we provide support to our nation’s energy communities to ensure they maximize economic, social, and environmental opportunities,” said Brad Crabtree, Assistant Secretary of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management. “Through this initiative, DOE will help our communities retain their local skilled workforces and productively leverage and repurpose the value of their existing infrastructure.”