WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Energy, in coordination with several other federal agencies, has unveiled plans to create a regional research center to promote building efficiency. The center, known as the Energy Innovation Hub, will develop new building efficiency technologies and work with local groups to implement these technologies in area buildings. This regional partnership, which will involve the Hub, local universities, government agencies and private companies, will be known as the Energy Regional Innovation Cluster (ERIC).
Under the plan, the ERIC will be based at either a university, a Department of Energy national laboratory, a nonprofit organization or a private firm. It will partner closely with local and state governments and leverage the experience of local architects, builders and manufacturers. The ERIC will work to disseminate new technologies into the regional marketplace and share best practices with the public and private sectors. Additional support will be provided for workforce education and training.
The federal government will solicit proposals for the plan and will award up to $129.7 million over a 5-year period to the winning proposal. The Department of Energy is providing up to $22 million during the first year and up to $100 million during the next 4 years. The Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration will make available up to $3 million in Public Works and Economic Development funds and up to $2 million in Economic Adjustment Assistance funds. The Department of Commerce will also make available up to $500,000 for the initiative through its Manufacturing Assistance Partnership for 1 year, with the possibility of renewing the award for 2 additional years. Finally, the Small Business Administration will make available up to $300,000 in the first year, with three 1-year renewal options, to provide the services of an existing Small Business Development Center.
Proposals will be due on May 6.
— Coleman Wood