| Work Detail |
The Clean Energy Fund of Texas (CEFTX) is inviting institutions of higher education, with a special focus on Minority-Serving Institutions, to apply for funding to lead clean energy initiatives across 18 states and Washington, D.C. This opportunity is part of the CHARGE program (Communities Helping America Renew and Grow the Economy), a $156 million initiative aimed at supporting community solar and battery storage projects in EPA Regions 3, 4, and 6. Community-centered campuses such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) are encouraged to participate. Awardees will work alongside local organizations to implement community solar projects designed to reduce household utility bills, with anticipated savings of up to $77 million for participating families. Additionally, these institutions will develop practical training programs to build a pipeline of skilled workers for the expanding clean energy economy. The program plans to establish 40 community solar projects generating 95 megawatts of power and 48 megawatt-hours of storage capacity. Approximately 8,870 households are expected to save around 25 percent on their energy bills, leading to a total of $77 million in household savings. Teresa Morales, CHARGE Program Director, said in a statement, “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to empower communities like those served by Minority-Serving Institutions, through solar energy infrastructure investment. As an integral part of the community, colleges are uniquely positioned to lead the way in solar energy infrastructure investment – lowering energy costs, creating good-paying jobs, and equipping students to become the next generation of clean energy leaders.”The initiative is also projected to create about 1,900 jobs and generate $137 million in community wealth through shared ownership models. Furthermore, the program will help avoid 3.14 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, which is equivalent to taking roughly 700,000 cars off the road for a year. Eligible higher education institutions are located in Alabama, Arkansas, Washington, D.C., Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. |
