Small, North Carolina town persists in pursuing clean energy, encountering resistances along the way
In the heart of Enfield, North Carolina, a century-old home on the main strip is being transformed into a "weatherization hub" for energy-efficiency workshops, remote work, and a beacon of self-sustainable solar power.
On a sweltering Saturday last month, approximately 2,000 people gathered around this home for an event that was about community building among climate activists and local leaders. The participants donned sun hats and wielded garden tools, working together to bring Enfield's clean energy vision to life.
The mayor of Enfield, Mondale Robinson, served as DJ, grounds supervisor, and occasional worker during the event. Robinson and his colleagues are determined to press on with their clean energy vision despite the federal government's actions.
The federal government initially promised aid for clean energy and historically disadvantaged communities through the bipartisan infrastructure law and the Inflation Reduction Act. However, the prospects for federal assistance have become less favorable since the initial plans were laid. Federal programs spurred by these laws could have potentially funded a replacement of Enfield's dilapidated grid, offset solar farm and battery costs, and supported a resilience center on the town's fairground.
Helen Whiteley, an adjunct professor at Duke University's Design Climate program, supports Enfield's clean energy ambitions. She believes that Enfield, one of the poorest and Blackest towns in America, could have a bright future with self-sustainable solar power, energy-efficient housing, and clean energy gathering places.
The "weatherization hub" will host do-it-yourself energy-efficiency workshops, provide a stable internet connection for remote workers, and be powered by solar panels and a backup battery. The event was held around this home-turned-"weatherization hub," with a hip-hop soundtrack playing in the background.
Enfield is still recovering from a debilitating car accident from May. Despite the challenges, the town remains hopeful about its clean energy future. The "weatherization hub" is just one of the projects that Robinson and his colleagues are working on to implement federally supported programs such as those funded by the Inflation Reduction Act and bipartisan infrastructure law.
However, these projects have faced funding limitations and political obstacles, and have not yet been fully realized. The mayor and his colleagues are determined to press on, hoping that their efforts will lead to a brighter, more sustainable future for Enfield and its residents.
