Balanced News: Rural America gets $315 million for cleaner, more affordable energy

The Department of Energy’s $315 million “Energy Improvements in Remote and Rural Areas” program will help rural and tribal communities across the United States modernize their electrical grids, invest in renewables, and help residents increase the energy efficiency of their homes. The goal is to promote climate resilience and address rural energy cost burden — defined as the percentage of a household’s income allocated toward energy bills each month. Rural communities are not one-size-fits-all, and the program encourages a variety of projects, including renewable energy projects and energy efficiency upgrades for homeowners. Advocates for rural and tribal communities say that federal investment is sorely needed, particularly in cash-poor, rural areas.