Here at the Department of Commerce, we know that fighting climate change isn’t just good for the environment; it’s good for the economy. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, the Commerce Department is leveraging every tool we have to create economic opportunity in the clean energy economy.

Alongside six other agencies, we are announcing clean energy projects that demonstrate the Administration’s commitment to a climate-ready nation.

Today, the Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Interior Department's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced an interagency agreement to collaboratively advance offshore wind energy while protecting biodiversity and promoting cooperative ocean use. This partnership underscores NOAA and BOEM’s commitment to leverage their resources and expertise to responsibly deploy 30 gigawatts (GW) by 2030 in a way that protects environmental quality, creates jobs, and advances environmental justice.

Additionally, Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) recently announced the finalists for Phase 1 of the Build Back Better Regional Challenge, which uses American Rescue Plan funds to support regional industry clusters that will promote equitable economic growth and workforce development. The finalists include 14 regional coalitions focused on clean energy and other climate-related industries, which will receive a combined $7 million in planning grants and compete to win awards of $25 million to $100 million for implementation.

Among these finalists are projects to reuse abandoned mine lands for solar, wind, and geothermal energy generation; utilize offshore wind as a power source for hydrogen production in industrial areas; and support clean energy job training, entrepreneurship, and innovation in areas historically dependent on fossil fuel economies.

Under President Biden’s leadership, we will continue to coordinate with our federal and business partners in supporting clean energy and creating good-paying jobs along the way. See the full set of announcements from the White House in this Fact Sheet.