The Energy Circuit Riders Act creates a federal grant program to fund trained energy professionals who will help rural communities plan and implement energy efficiency and clean energy projects. These "Energy Circuit Riders" will provide technical assistance on topics including energy audits, project financing, grant writing, and connecting communities to federal and state funding opportunities. The program will award grants to eligible organizations—including states, nonprofits, universities, and tribal governments—to hire and retain these professionals for three to six years, with the federal government covering up to 75 percent of costs. The bill authorizes $25 million annually from 2026 through 2030 to launch and sustain the program, with participating organizations required to serve at least two rural areas. The Department of Agriculture will oversee the program and must report annually to Congress on results, including energy savings, cost reductions, and carbon emissions cuts achieved through participating projects.
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