Los Angeles – Earlier today, it was announced the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator – a private non-profit organization creating an inclusive green economy for the people of Los Angeles – was awarded a competitive $1 million award from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Program for Innovation Clusters (EPIC) to support the Leveraging a Southern California Energy Innovation Cluster to Pilot and Validate Emerging Energy Technologies. In response, Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) released the following statement:
“Los Angeles has long been known as America’s innovation hub and an emerging leader in technology and clean energy. Today’s announcement is both welcome news for the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator and the City of Los Angeles as this $1 million award from the U.S. Department of Energy will help encourage the growth of new clean-tech jobs in California’s 34th Congressional District and beyond."
“We want to thank the Biden Administration and the U.S. Department of Energy for awarding this innovation grant to further our goal to accelerate climate action by creating an inclusive green economy in Los Angeles,” said LACI CEO Matt Petersen. “As Congressman Gomez knows, innovation holds the key to unlocking clean-energy and jobs for Los Angeles and the rest of the country. This grant will allow us to expand on our work of mentoring and fostering startups—in particular those led by underrepresented founders—to pilot their critical clean energy & zero-emissions transportation solutions, with a focus on improving the air quality in frontline communities most impacted by pollution."
"The clean energy market is growing at a breakneck pace, and America's innovators need the right tools to be competitive on a global stage," said Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. "This funding provides targeted financial support to incubators and accelerators that provide crucial opportunities for aspiring energy entrepreneurs looking to fight climate change, empower underserved communities, and create clean energy jobs."
EPIC is a $10 million funding opportunity created by the Department of Energy’s Office of Technology Transitions to underscore the importance of regional clusters, which increase productivity of area companies, drive the direction and pace of innovation, and stimulate the formation of new businesses, further reinforcing the cluster itself. For a full list of EPIC awardees, visit the Office of Technology Transitions’ website.
