Energy Department Seeks Input on $1B Rural Energy Program

WASHINGTON — The Department of Energy is seeking public input on a new $1 billion program that stands to benefit energy generation in areas with 10,000 or fewer inhabitants.
Passed by Congress last year, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act appropriated $1 billion to the department through fiscal year 2026 to improve the reliability and availability of energy and environmental protection from adverse impacts of energy generation.
The department officials have said the Energy Improvement in Rural or Remote Areas program would support siting or upgrading transmission and distribution lines, slashing greenhouse gas emissions from rural energy generation, increasing energy efficiency and developing microgrids — localized grids that can operate autonomously.
Comments on the request for information can be sent to [email protected] until Nov. 28 at noon ET.