Why HBCUs Should and Need to Go Green!

AUSTELL, Ga. - Feb. 15, 2023 - PRLog -- The feds recently incentivized the private sector with $2.4 trillion for infrastructure development and to reduce recession using the Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation and Inflation Reductions Act. HBCUs have been historically underfunded since they were established, and so we developed an initiative to take advantage of this historic opportunity.

Dr. Taj Eldrige of Include Ventures remarked that our proposed Initiative is a chance to avoid an "Economic Juneteenth". The goal of the Initiative to leverage Green for Economic Emancipation with the "Accelerating the Climate Resiliency and Renewable Energy at 40 HBCUs Initiative".

Dr. Reginald Parker of Optimal Tech leads the initiative stating "We have targeted utility costs which are their second largest cost. This will help lower energy spend by up to $4B over 25 years, give resiliency to 40 institutions, and generate community, economic and job development."

The initiative starts by cutting electricity waste which MIT estimates at 30% for commercial buildings. Then, reduces the cost of energy using renewable energy and energy management technologies. From here, the momentum will be used for multifamily facilities and faith-based organizations, and the broader community.

14+ underserved organizations teamed up to deliver solutions. Timothy Webb of Green Power Ventures says that "The partners are skilled BIPOC leaders. Solutions include climate predictions, investment grade energy audits, solar installation, energy management, HVAC engineering, EV charging, and more. BIPOC excellence to BIPOC excellence."

Most people would think that this is a no brainer. Customer research shows that HBCUs might see the initiative skeptically. Others have provided solutions that have not ended well in the past. This team, the government incentives, and the need for the HBCUs are clearly unique this time. Overlooked communities and institutions like HBCUs deserve these types of solutions and should not miss out on the opportunity.

Everyone stands to win, especially the students." Dr. Anthony Kinslow of Gemini Energy Solutions is an initiative partner and HBCU alumni shares "the impact on students, alumni, faculty, administrators, and other stakeholders can be significant, especially as many of them are choosing place to attend, work, or do business with based on their carbon footprint and climate goals. I think that HBCUs should consider their constituents as well as their bottom line in making their decision. Given that this initiative was intentional in bringing together such a large number of minority businesses for the work, the impact should be large and strategic."

The Initiative issued an RFP on January 20^th, and it will end on February 21^st. HBCUs that are interested should go to http://www.greenpower.ventures/hbcurfp-lp to find the online RFP submission form and the RFP documents.