In Beaver County, Pennsylvania, the impacts of the decline of coal and other extractive industries have taken a toll on the local economy. RiverWise, through its RISE (Rural Innovation through Solar Empowerment) Project, proposes to revolutionize solar energy access in Beaver County. By leveraging its community partner network, RiverWise will identify potential rural energy ventures in Beaver County, providing comprehensive support from feasibility to financing, aiming to bid out a minimum of 10 projects. This initiative will result in a Solar Justice40 Toolkit for community use. The RISE project aims to promote clean energy, bolster community resilience, champion rural energy self-reliance, and produce guiding resources for rural solar endeavors.
“Being selected for the Just Transition Fund’s Get Ready! Challenge is both an honor and a significant strategic benefit for residents of Beaver County, PA. As a longstanding energy community, we have often had decisions about the future made on our behalf by large forces outside of the community’s control. Being part of the Get Ready! Challenge is helping us to democratize energy production, grow community vision, and deepen community resilience in many ways. The Just Transition Fund’s responsive and targeted funding for growing community capacity is exactly what is needed for environmental justice communities to participate in the clean energy transition. We look forward to seeing what this next chapter in our energy community’s future holds.”
– Dr. Daniel Rossi-Keen, Executive Director, RiverWise
