Energy Ready Program Launches to Accelerate Local Clean Energy Deployment

The International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) today launched Energy Ready, a new integrated effort funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that supports local governments with free technical assistance and recognizes their improvements in planning, zoning, and for permitting distributed energy generation. Announced at the annual ICMA Conference, Energy Ready builds on the success of SolSmart, which helps communities reduce barriers to solar energy access. Energy Ready is launching today as a coordinated effort that brings together SolSmart, the new Charging Smart program, and the forthcoming Distributed Wind Smart program, which will be funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

"Hundreds of communities across the country have saved time and money thanks to the successful SolSmart program," said Jeff Marootian, principal deputy assistant secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at DOE. "DOE is excited to support the expansion of this model to EV charging and distributed wind, making it easier for communities to adopt the technologies that are right for them. By reducing barriers to deployment, Energy Ready will help more Americans cut energy costs and increase efficiencies and energy independence."

Energy Ready will bring three programs together, making it easier for local governments to analyze and potentially streamline efforts across multiple energy technologies. Communities can be designated as bronze, silver, gold, or platinum based on the steps they take to follow best practices that improve local processes and cut red tape.

• Created in 2016, SolSmart, funded by DOE's Solar Energy Technologies Office has provided hundreds of communities with customized technical support to help them adopt best practices, reduce barriers, and expand solar deployment. SolSmart currently has over 530 designated communities and plans to designate a total of 1,000 communities by 2027.
• The new Charging Smart, funded by DOE's Vehicle Technologies Office, focuses on facilitating the equitable expansion of electric vehicles (EVs) and EV charging infrastructure in rural, urban, and suburban communities by reducing soft costs, such as those associated with permitting, inspection, and load service requests. Charging Smart pilots are underway with local governments in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. 
• Distributed Wind Smart, funded by DOE's Wind Energy Technologies Office, will launch in the fall of 2024. The program will develop and share best practices in zoning, planning, inspection, community engagement, and financing for distributed wind. Distributed Wind Smart aims to designate 200 jurisdictions by the end of 2027.

ICMA and IREC expect to roll out the new designations for Charging Smart and Distributed Wind Smart in early 2025. Learn more about Energy Ready and apply for free SolSmart technical assistance today.