The launch of the Bold Alliance’s new clean energy model is fueled by the $3 million Climate Breakthrough Award founder Jane Kleeb received in November.
The international award will deliver $1 million a year distributed over at least three years. Kleeb said Bold also will seek to raise an additional $1 million a year, giving the clean energy initiative a $2 million annual budget. It will deploy the full model in four states — Nebraska, North Dakota, Illinois and Arizona — and help with smaller projects in others.
Kleeb said rural communities have been left out of the conversation about clean energy development. Years of misinformation have led to mistrust of such projects.
She acknowledged that not all members of rural communities will be excited about renewable energy projects, such as wind and solar. Some Nebraska counties already have placed strict zoning requirements on such projects.
“The question for us is: We need more energy in America. Period. Anybody who says otherwise is not looking at the projections,” Kleeb said. “So how do we make sure we go from 14% clean energy nationwide, where we’re currently at, to 33%, so we have a more balanced energy portfolio so coal, oil and gas can’t have our backs to the wall on price?”