DOE - The Obama Administration has announced a multi-agency funding opportunity to support an Energy Regional Innovation Cluster (E-RIC). This pilot initiative will spur regional economic growth while developing innovative energy efficient building technologies, designs, and systems. Seven federal agencies released a combined Funding Opportunity Announcement (pdf - 787kb) making up to $129.7 million available over five years to support the cluster.
DOE and its interagency partners will host an information session on the E-RIC on February 22, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, D.C. For those who cannot attend in person, there will also be a Webcast.
The Energy Efficient Building Systems Hub will be based at a university, DOE national laboratory, nonprofit organization, or private firm, partnering closely with local or state government officials, and leveraging existing expertise of local architects, builders, and manufacturers. With this specialization, the regional economy could support other businesses that address the full production lifecycle for building technologies and thus create more jobs. Training and education activities would help narrow the gap between the supply and demand for workers in these specialized fields.
For more information about this project, including details on the information session, please visit EERE