Competing Through Creativity & Resilience: How Regions Can Lead on Advanced Energy - CleanTechnica

The article "Competing Through Creativity & Resilience: How Regions Can Lead on Advanced Energy" summarizes key insights from a panel at the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) conference in Detroit, focusing on how U.S. regions can capitalize on advanced energy opportunities amid waning federal support and rising energy demand. The discussion highlighted that creativity and efficiency are becoming critical for economic and community development, with regions needing new strategies to navigate uncertainty in clean energy project pipelines. Despite strong demand revealed by federal incentives like the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), challenges remain in reaching low-income communities without concessional capital and adapting to expiring tax credits and evolving regulations. Organizations such as LISC and Michigan Saves exemplify efforts to deploy sustainable finance and leverage private capital despite funding uncertainties. The panelists emphasized that competitiveness in advanced energy will be shaped not only by policy but also by rising energy demand, grid constraints, and long interconnection queues. The growing electricity needs driven by technologies like AI and data centers