The Biden administration has announced a plan to allocate $366 million to fund 17 renewable energy projects in rural areas and on Native American reservations across the United States. These projects aim to expand access to clean energy sources such as solar, battery storage, and hydropower in regions where electricity can be expensive and unreliable.
One of the key areas of focus is the Navajo Nation, where approximately 20% of homes lack access to electricity. Additionally, nearly a third of homes with electricity on Native American reservations experience monthly outages, highlighting the urgent need for improved energy infrastructure in these communities.
The funding for these projects is part of a larger $1 trillion infrastructure law signed by President Joe Biden in 2021. The administration's goal is to ensure that all communities, especially those in rural and remote areas, benefit from the transition to a clean energy future.
The projects, which involve 30 tribes across 20 states, include initiatives such as providing plant-derived energy to wildfire-prone communities in California, building solar and hydropower systems for tribes in Washington state, and constructing a hydroelectric plant for a tribal village in Alaska. In addition, funds will be allocated to provide solar power and storage for health centers in rural parts of the Southeast, including Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina.
This announcement comes at a time when Native tribes in Nevada and Arizona are advocating for the protection of their lands and sacred sites amidst the expansion of renewable energy projects. Federal regulators have also recently granted tribes more authority to block hydropower projects on their land.
The Department of Energy is working closely with tribal leaders to ensure that the selected projects meet the needs and priorities of the communities they serve. The administration's commitment to advancing clean energy solutions in underserved areas underscores President Biden's vision for a more sustainable and equitable energy landscape in the United States.
