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LANETT — The Lanett City Council met in a called meeting on Wednesday morning to approve two action items. One is a resolution to accept a partnership with Groundswell, Inc., a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that helps income-eligible households improve the energy efficiency of their homes. The second resolution is to seek a $10,000 grant through the Coosa Valley Resource Conservation & Development Council (RC&D) to improve the air conditioning in a computer lab and library at the Lanett Senior Nutrtion Center.

Groundswell is providing an opportunity to invest in improving the housing stock of up to 500 homes in the west central Georgia-east central Alabama region. The nonprofit has what’s known as a SOUL program which aims to identify income-eligible households with homes that qualify for energy-efficient improvements that may include weatherization, insulation, the installation of energy efficient electric appliances and more.

It’s Groundswell’s goal to improve community resiliency by creating up to ten community resilience hubs in the west Georgia-east Alabama region. The effort would be targeted to assist low-income households and seniors by means of behind the meter solar panels and battery storage to power buildings that are valued by low-income individuals and seniors.

It is Groundswell’s intention to:

Provide resources for community-driven power projects that address environmental and climate challenges in communities facing disproportionate and adverse health, pollution and environmental impacts, especially in areas that have suffered from generations of disinvestment.

4 To invest in strong collaboration with partners who bring a robust commitment to working with and for communities with environment and climate justice concerns.

4 To unlock access to additional, and more significant, resources to advance environmental and climate justice goals from across the federal government and other sources.

4 To empower communities and strengthen their capacity to drive meaningful, positive change on the ground for years to come.

4 And to strengthen community participation in government decision-making processes that impact them.

On Earth Day (April 20th) 2024, Groundswell Inc. celebrated its selection for a $156 million U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) greenhouse gas reduction fund solar award to its Southeast rural power team.

Groundswell is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that builds community power through equitable community solar projects and resilience centers and clean energy programs that reduce energy burdens.

Its pioneering research initiatives help light the way to clean energy futures for all.

Groundswell leads clean energy programs in five states and the District of Columbia, providing low- and moderate-income households in more than $8 million in clean energy savings to date.