Ada Recinos at ada.recinos@sierraclub.org (Pacific Time)
WASHINGTON, DC —Today, the Biden administration announced it will deploy $428 million in infrastructure funds through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to projects aimed at growing domestic clean energy manufacturing in communities affected by coal mine or power plant closures. The Energy Department (DOE) selected 14 projects that will advance domestic clean energy manufacturing across 15 U.S. coal communities. The five projects neighboring communities will be required to include community benefit agreements, and are slated to create nearly 2,000 jobs. In addition to the public funding, the manufacturers are also investing matching funds to reduce pollution.
CeCe Grant, Industrial Transformation Campaign Director at the Sierra Club released the following statement:
“The Biden-Harris administration is making significant strides to provide American manufacturers with the resources they need to jumpstart our Industrial transformation. Now, 15 U.S. coal communities will receive nearly half a billion to support the energy transition the country needs to meet growing energy demand and move away from fossil fuels. The Sierra Club commends the White House for prioritizing good high-paying jobs without sacrificing public health. We urge the White House to ensure that all community benefits agreements actually benefit the residents of these communities, and not just business and political interests.”
The DOE will continue negotiations with manufacturers and finalize awards by the end of 2024. These investments are particularly important in continuing the pace of economic growth in the nation’s industrial bellwether states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Illinois.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.