The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Office of Geothermal (OG) strive to equip the public with information and assistance in pursuing energy solutions for their homes, businesses, communities, and more. By assisting communities across the nation, DOE and OG continue to work toward an efficient and cost-effective future for the United States.
Read below for a non-exhaustive overview of DOE programs, awards, prizes, grants, vouchers, technical assistance, competitions, and initiatives providing support to communities.
Buildings UP supports the transformation of existing U.S. buildings into more energy-efficient homes, commercial spaces, and communities.
Sponsor: Building Technologies Office (BTO) and the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR)
Type: Prize and technical assistance
Recipients: Teams or individual innovators
E2C connects local governments, Tribes, electric utilities, and community-based organizations with national laboratory experts and customized, cutting-edge analysis to achieve energy systems that are reflective of local and regional priorities. The program has three facets: In-Depth Partnerships, Peer-Learning Cohorts, and Expert Match.
Sponsor: Funded by DOE and managed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), with support from Argonne National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Type: Award and technical assistance
Recipients: Various, dependent on program branch
EnergyCommunities.gov is intended to assist in the delivery of federal resources to help revitalize America’s energy communities. It is a planning and action tool for community leaders, volunteers, and change agents.
Sponsor: Energy Communities Interagency Working Group
Type: Technical assistance and centralized online clearinghouse for funding, support, and information on tax credits and federal incentives.
Recipients: State and local officials across the political spectrum, community groups, labor unions, corporations, investors, colleges and universities, philanthropic groups, and others.
R-STEP expands the decision-making capacity and expertise of state and local governments around large-scale renewable energy planning, siting, and permitting. The program helps communities better plan for and meaningfully engage in the development of large-scale renewable energy and energy storage projects.
Sponsor: ENERGYWERX in partnership with the DOE Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) and Wind Energy Technologies Office (WETO)
Type: Award and technical assistance
Recipients: State-based collaboratives