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Announcements

Communities LEAP Opportunity

Applications due by Dec. 17

Recently, DOE announced its Communities LEAP (Local Energy Action Program) Pilot, which aims to facilitate sustained community-wide economic and environmental benefits primarily through DOE’s clean energy deployment work.

The application deadline for the Communities LEAP Pilot is coming up. The opportunity is specifically open to low-income, energy-burdened communities also experiencing either direct environmental justice impacts, or direct economic impacts caused by a shift away from fossil fuels. Through the program, DOE will provide supportive services valued at up to $16 million for community-driven clean energy transitions.

In order to provide for transitions involving carbon capture, part of this opportunity will assist communities with evaluating whether carbon capture and storage (CCS) could be included in their long-term clean energy and clean manufacturing plans.

Are you a community leader interested in bringing carbon capture technology to your city? We can help. SSEB has decades of experience leading CCS and related energy technology programs. Reach out to our office by phone at (770) 242-7712.

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Announcements

Biden Appoints Federal Representative to the Board

President Joe Biden has appointed Jim Powell of Hiawassee, Georgia, as the Federal Representative to the Southern States Energy Board.

Our Federal Representative is appointed by the President as his official liaison to the Board. 

The Honorable Jim Powell will be responsible for providing an annual report to the President on the Board’s programs and activities. In addition, he will serve as an official liaison between the Board, Congress, and all federal agencies. 

He also will assist the Board in its work with the states and territories and in the development of federal energy programs of interest to the southern states. 

“All of us at the Southern States Energy Board thank President Biden for selecting Jim Powell as our federal representative,” said Ken Nemeth, the Board’s secretary and executive director.

“Jim’s extensive experience and work ethic will be essential and critical to our success during the transition period to clean energy and the development of technology innovations to curb environmental pollution,” he said.

Jim previously served as the Federal Representative during the Obama administration from 2013 to 2016. He has also served as a Georgia 9th Congressional District elected Biden delegate to the Democratic National Convention and as a volunteer member of the Biden-Harris Policy Committee.

“I am honored that President Biden has chosen me for this appointment. I look forward to working with the Southern States Energy Board and its member states and territories on energy programs and to advance the President’s Build Back Better initiative,” Powell said.

Currently, Jim is the owner and managing consultant at NORAVA Consulting, a position he has held since 2007. Prior to forming his consulting firm, he served in various capacities at the U.S. Department of Energy from 1986 to 2007. His roles included national program manager, regional director for the Southeast, and associate deputy assistant secretary. Mr. Powell also held several positions with the U.S. Department of the Navy from 1976 to 1986.

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Announcements Programs

Regional Initiatives for CCUS Advancement Awarded $20 Million

On October 15, the U.S. Department of Energy announced $20 million in funding to four projects working to accelerate the regional deployment of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). The projects, representing the four corners of the country, are known as DOE’s Regional Initiatives to Accelerate CCUS Deployment.

The Southern States Energy Board leads one of the four regional initiatives. Known as the Southeast Regional CO2 Utilization and Storage Acceleration Partnership (SECARB-USA), our team of technical experts are tasked with identifying at least 50 potential regional sites to evaluate storage resource potential and infrastructure needs. The DOE funding awards approximately $5 million to our regional initiative program.

The goal of SECARB-USA is to help the United States meet its need for secure, affordable, and environmentally sound fossil energy supplies by utilizing the advancements made by the regional initiatives to continue identifying and addressing knowledge gaps.

Expanding the deployment of CCUS will reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from industrial sources and is a crucial component to achieving the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

DOE Announcement

We’re ready to continue leading a coalition of CCUS experts tasked with identifying and resolving regional challenges facing the deployment of carbon capture technologies in the Southeast! To learn more about our SECARB-USA program, click the logo below.

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Announcements Meetings

61st Annual Meeting Photo Album Available

Were you unable to attend our meeting? Or maybe you did attend, but you want to relive all the great speakers, discussions, and memories?

Relive the meeting now by clicking the button below.

More information about the meeting can be found here. We hope you’ll join us next year in South Carolina with our new Executive Committee Chairman, Gov. Henry McMaster!