Energy agency announces $475M in funding for clean energy projects on mine land sites
The Biden administration has announced up to $475 million in federal funding for clean energy projects on current or former mine land sites
FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Biden administration pumped more money into clean energy projects Thursday, announcing up to $475 million in federal funding for projects in five states — including the political battleground states of Pennsylvania, Arizona and Nevada.
The projects will accelerate clean energy development on current and former mine lands, the U.S. Department of Energy announced. The other states benefiting — Kentucky and West Virginia — are solidly Republican and have been hit hard by the downturn in the coal sector.
The funding comes from the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure law — one of President Joe Biden's hallmark legislative victories. The projects in Kentucky, West Virginia and Pennsylvania advance efforts to transition away from coal to solar and hydropower.
The administration said the clean energy projects will strengthen the country's energy security while helping ensure mining communities continue playing a role in the energy economy.
“Workers and communities that powered our country for the last 100 years deserve the chance to power us for the next 100 and beyond,” Deputy Energy Secretary David Turk said in a press call Wednesday.
Energy and climate policies have emerged as flash points in this year's presidential race between Biden and Republican former President Donald Trump. Trump has indicated he’ll try to roll back Biden’s clean energy investments and expand drilling for oil and natural gas if he returns to office.
Biden's administration said the latest round of funding reinforced his commitment to building an “inclusive and equitable clean energy future
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