WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced a new equity-focused prize competition to accelerate decarbonization and support community driven clean energy solutions. This DOE American-Made Challenge, next in the series of EERE’s Inclusive Energy Innovation prizes, supports development between community-based organizations to address energy challenges. This prize specifically addresses stakeholder requests for resourcing community-based organizations to identify and coordinate activities that address local energy challenges. Addressing the disproportional climate impact on underserved communities is an integral part of President Biden’s plan to usher in an equitable transition to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

“The Biden-Harris Administration is working to achieve energy justice across the country by bringing the benefits of low-cost clean energy and high-quality jobs to diverse and historically underserved communities,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Alejandro Moreno. “With authentic community engagement, we can make new connections with talented people and accelerate the equitable transition to clean energy on their terms.”

The Community Clean Energy Coalition Prize, a $1.5 million multi-phase competition is an award for developing partnerships between organizations within communities to address community-identified energy challenges. The prize addresses stakeholder input on the need for direct investment in community-based organizations to achieve community solutions for clean energy challenges, EERE’s mission, and the DOE’s Justice40 priorities.

In his first day in office, President Biden issued an Executive Order 13985 on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government. DOE utilizes prizes as part of a multi-pronged strategy to more evenly distribute clean energy technology benefits to Americans.

Sign up to compete in the new prize or learn more about DOE’s American Made Challenges. Learn more about DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and their approach to the Justice40 initiative.