WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) announced $806,000 for Together New Orleans through the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Electricity (OE) Energy Storage for Social Equity (ES4SE) Program. ES4SE funding will enable Together New Orleans to break ground on seven additional Community Lighthouses, community institutions with solar power and back-up battery capacity that serve as resiliency hubs during power outages and natural disasters. The goal of ES4SE is to promote an equitable clean energy transition, advance more affordable and reliable electricity, and support Justice40 goals.
In FY 2023 Congressman Carter secured $3.8 million to help fund Community Lighthouses – the single largest community project funding in the nation for a solar-related project. The Community Lighthouse project is being funded through public-private partnerships and philanthropic efforts, which Congressman has championed since its inception.
“This investment in Together New Orleans is a transformative step towards community resilience,” said Rep. Carter. “By funding the construction of seven additional community lighthouses, this initiative ensures that vulnerable neighborhoods in our community have access to vital resources like charging stations, cooling centers, and emergency supplies during power outages. This project not only enhances energy security but also highlights the power of community-driven solutions in achieving equitable clean energy transitions.”
The Community Lighthouse project aims to provide commercial-scale solar power and back-up battery capacity to 86 congregations and community institutions across Louisiana. During extended power outages the lighthouses will immediately assess need and aid their surrounding communities. They will provide charging stations, food distribution, cooling and heating stations, oxygen exchange, light medical equipment, and more.
“We know storms are getting worse and power outages will happen, and this funding will help us be prepared to continue serving people when they need it most,” said Rev. Gregory T. Manning, a clergy leader of Together New Orleans and pastor of Broadmoor Community Church — the site of one of Louisiana’s first lighthouses. “We are especially grateful to our federal partners, including Congressman Troy Carter, for helping advance the expansion of Community Lighthouses throughout our community.”
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