SOPEC Awarded $500,000 Grant by U.S. Department of Energy to Foster Clean Energy Future

Athens, Ohio – The Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council (SOPEC) is delighted to announce its successful grant application to the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) State and Community Energy Program. This pivotal Energy Future Grant, totaling $498,684, supports SOPEC’s “Energy Futures Grants: Water Investments for Sustainable Energy'” proposal, emphasizing the enhancement of energy efficiency, renewable energy generation, and operational resilience within critical water infrastructure across Ohio.

Funded by the DOE’s recent $27 million initiative aimed at advancing equitable and resilient clean energy futures across the nation, SOPEC’s project aims to explore and address energy challenges faced by critical water infrastructure facilities across SOPEC member communities, which stand as the largest energy consumers within municipal operations.

The intended result of this 12-month grant performance period will be to develop a scalable framework and roadmap, with project planning and development tools for communities and entities to utilize for their own facilities. The development of these resources will ideally empower SOPEC members, other Ohio communities, and water management entities to evaluate their current energy usage and operations, and identify impactful and feasible opportunities for improvement. This planning grant supports the collective goal of SOPEC and its members to reduce the energy burden on local governments through the facilitation, planning, and deployment of energy-efficient projects at water infrastructure facilities.

“Our commitment to reducing the energy burden on local governments through strategic planning and deployment of energy-efficient projects at water infrastructure facilities marks a significant milestone towards a sustainable future,” said Luke Sulfridge, SOPEC’s Executive Director. “This grant not only recognizes our dedication but also propels us towards realizing our vision for Ohio’s energy future.”

About SOPEC:
SOPEC is a council of governments that functions as a shared energy office dedicated to providing innovative and sustainable energy solutions in Ohio. With a strong focus on community engagement and environmental stewardship, SOPEC is at the forefront of promoting green energy initiatives.