Location: Ohio

This week, we hear from 2023-24 Climate Justice Micrograntee Groundwork Ohio River Valley. This program provides funding to help document and amplify “lessons learned” from U.S. climate justice organizations who are advancing equitable, community-based solutions to the climate crisis.
Groundwork Ohio River Valley has created a report and toolkit on the findings of the Climate Advisory Group (CAG) program model from their Climate Safe Neighborhoods Program (CSN) initiative, a national effort through Groundwork USA to identify neighborhoods that are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change because of racial and social injustices, engage frontline resident leaders and partners, and ignite action towards climate resilience. The report outlines the latest lessons learned and challenges encountered when implementing the community organizer model.
We’re excited to feature their report back in our Lab insights this week! Keep reading to learn more about the project and their reflections.
Watch this short video to get a preview of the project before diving into the insight!

The clean energy boom continues across the U.S. In the almost two years since the clean energy plan was signed into law on August 16, 2022, companies have announced or advanced 646 new clean energy projects, creating 334,565 new jobs and driving $372 billion in new investments across 47 states and Puerto Rico. Plans include 183 new battery manufacturing sites, 155 new or expanded electric vehicle manufacturing facilities, and 185 solar and wind manufacturing plants. The majority of projects are in five states — Michigan, Texas, Georgia, California, and South Carolina. A bulk of the new clean energy projects are located in congressional districts represented by Republican members of the House of Representatives – totaling 190,727 new jobs and over $286 billion in investment across 354 clean energy projects in 150 Republican-held districts. In low-income communities, 290 new clean energy projects have been announced since the passage of the clean energy plan, bringing $114 billion in investment and 134,385 jobs to low-income communities across 38 states.