Background
Mining drives U.S. industry, from coal generating electricity and industrial process heat to rare minerals like copper and gold as critical supplies for advanced technologies. Demand for these minerals is anticipated to grow exponentially over the next few decades as our world becomes more electrified. At the same time, estimates show that there are 1.5 million acres of former mine land that could be utilized for energy development. Both challenges provide American innovators with opportunities to rethink how we operate in these spaces to maximize their potentials.
Program Overview
The Clean Energy Demonstration Program on Current and Former Mine Land (CEML) includes projects that demonstrate the technical and economic viability of deploying clean energy on current (operating) and former (abandoned or inactive) mine land. These projects are expected to be replicable, providing knowledge and experience that catalyze the next generation of clean energy projects on mine land projects. Simultaneously, replicating clean energy technologies on other current and former mine land will help maximize local workforce development and community opportunities for generations.
Announcement Archive
- Learn about the projects selected for award negotiations and read the press release, announced March 2024.
- Watch the Concept Paper Feedback Webinar, held July 2023.
- Learn about the Encourage/Discourage Notifications, issued June 2023.
- Download the Funding Opportunity Announcement, issued April 2023.
- Read the Funding Opportunity Announcement Press Release, issued April 2023.
- Watch the Funding Opportunity Announcement Webinar, held April 2023.
- View the Funding Notice webpage, published April 2023.
- Access the Technical Assistance webpage, published April 2023.
- Read the Request for Information, issued June 2022.
- Read the Request for Information Press Release, issued June 2022.
Resources
- Read the latest updates on the CEML Program.
- View the CEML Technical Assistance Overview.
- Clean Energy Demonstration on Mine Land Technical Assistance | State, Local, and Tribal Governments | NREL
- Map of energy communities directly impacted by coal closures 2000/2010 or later: MESC Energy Transitions (doe.gov)
- For more information on the Clean Energy Demonstration Program on Current and Former Mine Land Program, contact [email protected].
- For media inquiries, contact [email protected].
OCED News
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