Resident commissioner announces federal grant opportunity for green energy projects
By The Star Staff
Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González Colón on Sunday announced a new federal grant opportunity under the Consolidated Allocations Act of 2021 to promote the development of renewable energy in rural communities.
The Rural Energy Pilot Program, under the U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides up to 80 percent (not to exceed $2 million) in federal aid to grant proposals from Rural Energy Community Partnerships to develop renewable energy.
“We have been working on the reconstruction of the island’s electrical network after the passage of Hurricane Maria. We know that the network was not only severely damaged by the ravages of the natural disaster, but that it was already obsolete and in need of a more resilient structure and alternatives,” the resident commissioner said in a written statement. “That is why, in addition to the funds to repair the network, we are promoting options for other complementary energy sources. This grant is another opportunity for state and nonprofit organizations to access this energy and economic development opportunity.”
Funds from the grant may be used to support community energy planning, capacity building and technical assistance, community efficiency and weatherization, and installation and equipping of community-scale renewable energy technologies and systems.
Those interested in applying can do so through the following link: https://go.usa.gov/xe2WR.