EVANSVILLE, Ind. (July 24, 2024) – The Evansville Regional Economic Partnership (E-REP) has been selected for award subject to negotiations for a $100,000 grant from the Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management. This marks E-REP’s first Department of Energy award, positioning the organization at the forefront of energy innovation and economic development in the region. This opportunity is managed by ENERGYWERX in partnership with DOE, a collaboration made possible through an innovative Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) set up by the DOE’s Office of Technology Transitions (OTT). This agreement enables ENERGYWERX to broaden DOE’s engagement with innovative organizations and non-traditional partners, facilitating the rapid development, scaling, and deployment of clean energy solutions.
E-REP, in collaboration with CenterPoint Energy, NewCarbon, Circular Venture Labs, and other partners, will utilize this award to evaluate the economic impact of converting, redeveloping, and repurposing CenterPoint’s aging energy assets across the Evansville Region. In addition, E-REP will conduct research and convene local, state, and national partners to diversify energy sources and help CenterPoint Energy’s and the broader regional workforce adapt to the evolving energy landscape.
“This recognition demonstrates our commitment to a diverse and resilient energy transition and continued economic development in the region,” said Tyler Stock, Executive Director of Talent EVV. “We look forward to working with our partners to build our regional capacity related to energy transition.”
Omar Khayum, CEO of NewCarbon, expressed enthusiasm about bringing the company’s expertise to the region, stating, “I’m excited to contribute to transforming legacy infrastructure into modern, clean energy assets that will drive economic growth in the area where I grew up.”
The initiative will include developing energy transition plans and training opportunities for workers moving to new roles in emerging energy sectors. It will also create a roadmap for driving economic prosperity in the Evansville Region through collaboration with local businesses, educational institutions, and government agencies. These deliverables create an exciting opportunity to build capacity and expertise related to energy transition across industry, workforce, academic, and civic partners within the region.
Mike Roeder, Senior Vice President of External Affairs for CenterPoint, added, “This initiative will promote growth and vitality, further positioning the Evansville Region as an energy leader and our workforce for success in an innovative energy sector.”
###
About the Organizations:
Evansville Regional Economic Partnership (E-REP): Launched in 2021 following the combination of three like-minded legacy organizations in the business and growth space, E-REP promotes regional economic development and vitality. We are here to drive the region’s economic growth, attract a high-wage and high-skilled workforce and elevate quality of life. We do this through catalytic leadership, collaborative planning, and coordinated investment.
CenterPoint Energy: As the only investor owned electric and gas utility based in Texas, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is an energy delivery company with electric transmission and distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution operations that serve more than 7 million metered customers in Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio and Texas. As of March 31, 2024, the company owned approximately $40 billion in assets. With approximately 9,000 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.
NewCarbon: A clean energy infrastructure company specializing in lifecycle carbon intensity reduction for North America’s top industrial, agricultural, and energy companies.
Circular Venture Lab: Focuses on creating and testing new products, systems, and services in the circular economy to reduce material, energy, and water usage while minimizing waste.
Disclaimer: *Award amount and scope are subject to change during negotiations*