Capacity Building for Repurposing Energy Assets

Federal Agency

Sub-Department

Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM)

Purpose

To help local communities create a roadmap toward repurposing existing energy assets.

Applicant and/or Project Eligibility Requirements

This effort focuses on energy asset transformation opportunities for assets retiring between 2009 and 2032. Example energy asset includes fossil fuel power plants, coal mines, and oil/gas well lands. The re-issuance of this initiative expands the eligibility for communities to partner with eligible entities including Community Colleges, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Minority Serving Institutions; Local economic development entities; Community based organizations and non-governmental organizations; Local elected officials from municipalities (e.g. mayors’ offices); Labor unions and labor-management organizations; Organizations that represent workers in energy communities; and Workforce development entities involved in administering the public workforce system.

Decarbonization Considerations

Target assets can be repurposed for renewable electricity generation. If applicable, a biomass/waste facility with the carbon capture and storage is also an option to consider.

Equity Considerations

Ensuring appropriate training to retain or build a workforce that can be employed or reemployed in high-quality jobs should be part of project plan and is key to good job creation if the asset will be repurposed for a sustainable future. More information on training as part of a community benefits plan strategy can be found here: https://www.energy.gov/infrastructure/about-community-benefits-plans.

Helpful Tips

Community-based government or nongovernmental organizations need to dedicate a staff member whose primary responsibility is coordination and planning the productive and sustainable repurposing of an existing energy asset(s), especially emphasizing workforce development.

Other Notes

Target assets can also be repurposed for non-energy options, such as manufacturing, metal/mineral processing and recovery of rare elements, cultural redevelopment, industrial parks, etc. See the list of the previously selected projects here: https://www.energy.gov/fecm/articles/doe-invests-800000-workforce-development-opportunities-energy-communities-across