Clean Energy Columbus is championing sustainable practices while prioritizing community and jobs. The Clean Energy Columbus program includes a Community Grant and the creation of a Clean Energy Workforce Committee.
The Community Grant focuses on addressing the impacts of climate change and supporting community sustainability. The grant is funded by program participants as part of the overall program rate. In the summer of 2023, the City of Columbus allocated $500,000 in grant funds for a Low-Moderate Income Solar Co-Op pilot program to provide 17 homes in Opportunity neighborhoods with solar and battery backup. This pilot program will ensure the benefits of clean energy are accessible to a diverse range of households and create clean energy ambassadors in our community.
The Clean Energy Workforce Committee supports local workforce growth to create good-paying jobs and has provided support and guidance to the Empowered! Program. The Empowered! Program provides clean energy and climate jobs training to young people from communities of color, low-income neighborhoods, and women. The Clean Energy Workforce Committee is co-chaired by AEP Energy and the City of Columbus as part of the Clean Energy Columbus program.
Clean Energy Columbus shows how sustainability and social responsibility can go hand in hand. As the city continues to innovate and collaborate, it paves the way for a future where clean energy is not just an innovative technology but a force that uplifts, empowers, and enriches the lives of its residents.