The Clean Energy Demonstration Program on Current and Former Mine Land (CEML) will demonstrate the technical and economic viability of deploying clean energy on current (operating) and former (abandoned or inactive) mine land. Up to five clean energy projects will be carried out in geographically diverse regions, at least two of which must be solar projects. These demonstration projects are expected to be replicable, providing knowledge and experience that catalyze the next generation of clean energy on mine land projects.
The CEML Program received $500 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will provide financial investment, technical assistance, and other resources to advance the widespread deployment of clean energy projects on current and former mine land. Towards this goal, the CEML Program seeks to fund projects that demonstrate:
- Replicable pathways that resolve key barriers to clean energy development on mine land
- Preservation of natural and agricultural resources through repurposing mine land for clean energy projects
- Benefits of integrating clean energy on mine land, including community benefits and the potential to achieve near net-zero mining operations
OCED is also offering no-cost technical assistance to inform decision making on topics related to developing clean energy projects on mine land. Technical assistance will vary based on specific project needs/requests and intends to support any phase of project development, including concept development, planning, design, or execution.
Overview
Office:Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations |
New Program:Yes |
Funding amount:$500,000,000 |
Funding Mechanism:Cooperative Agreement, or Other |
Recipients:Institutions of higher education; Non-profit entities; For-profit entities; Indian Nations (DOE Order 144.1, 7.a); State and local governmental entities; Incorporated Consortia; Unincorporated Consortia |
Period of Availability:Available through 2026 |
More Information
Eligible Uses
The term “clean energy project” means a project that demonstrates one or more of the following technologies:
- Solar
- Micro-grids
- Geothermal
- Direct air capture
- Fossil-fueled electricity generation with carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration
- Energy storage, including pumped storage hydropower and compressed air storage
- Advanced nuclear technologies
The term “mine land” means:
- Land subject to titles IV and V of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1231 et seq.; 30 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.); or
- Land that has been claimed or patented subject to sections 2319 through 2344 of the Revised Statutes (commonly known as the "Mining Law of 1872") (30 U.S.C. 22 et seq.).
In selecting clean energy projects for participation in the program, the Secretary shall prioritize clean energy projects that will—
- be carried out in a location where the greatest number of jobs can be created from the successful demonstration of the clean energy project;
- provide the greatest net impact in avoiding or reducing greenhouse gas emissions;
- provide the greatest domestic job creation (both directly and indirectly) during the implementation of the clean energy project;
- provide the greatest job creation and economic development in the vicinity of the clean energy project, particularly—in economically distressed areas; and with respect to dislocated workers who were previously employed in manufacturing, coal power plants, or coal mining;
- have the greatest potential for technological innovation and commercial deployment;
- have the lowest levelized cost of generated or stored energy;
- have the lowest rate of greenhouse gas emissions per unit of electricity generated or stored; and
- have the shortest project time from permitting to completion.
Program Announcements
- Read the latest update on Clean Energy Demonstration Program on Current and Former Mine Land
- Download the Funding Opportunity Announcement
- Review the Community Benefits Plan Guidance
- View the Funding Notice webpage
- Read the Funding Opportunity Announcement Press Release
- Learn more about the Clean Energy Demonstration Program on Current and Former Mine Land Concept Paper encourage/discourage notifications
- View the previously recorded Concept Paper Feedback Webinar held July 11, 2023
- Access the Technical Assistance webpage
- View the previously recorded funding opportunity announcement webinar held on April 19, 2023
- Access the previously issued Request for Information (RFI) and read the RFI Press Release
Next Milestone
Clean Energy Demonstration Program on Current and Former Mine Land Funding Opportunity Announcement. Concept papers were due by May 11, 2023. Full applications are due by August 31, 2023.
More Resources
View the OCED Clean Energy Demonstration on Current and Former Mine Land Factsheet.
View the CEML Technical Assistance Overview.
Webinars
Clean Energy Demonstration on Mine Land Technical Assistance Webinar Series
On behalf of the U.S Department of Energy (DOE), NREL provides technical assistance to communities and organizations interested in pursuing Clean Energy Demonstration Projects on Current and Former Mine Land.
- View the CEML Technical Assistance Program and Clean Energy Siting Considerations for Mine Land Webinar recording held on May 9, 2023
- View the NEPA Considerations for Siting Clean Energy on Mine Land Webinar recording held on June 14, 2023
- View the Potential Environmental Liability Associated with Developing Clean Energy on Mine Land Webinar recording held on July 26, 2023.
View the video recording of the Clean Energy Demonstration Program on Current and Former Mine Land Funding Opportunity Announcement Informational Webinar, featuring an overview of the program and answers to questions received on the funding opportunity, held on April 19, 2023.
Workshops
OCED held three public workshops to provide a detailed overview of the Clean Energy Demonstration Program on Current and Former Mine Land (CEML), collect feedback from stakeholders on drivers, challenges, and potential impacts of mine land demonstrations, and offer a forum for stakeholder networking in preparation for the funding opportunity announcement.
Follow the links below to view the video recordings from OCED’s CEML Virtual Workshop:
More information
Map of energy communities directly impacted by coal closures 2000/2010 or later: MESC Energy Transitions (doe.gov)