The Clean Energy Generation is making progress every day here in the Southeast. From conservative counties embracing electric school buses to clean energy providing income for farmers to do-it-yourself energy efficiency workshops, our clean energy future is becoming a reality, even in our region’s rural communities. Take a look at just six of the many signs of clean energy adoption in the rural Southeast we saw in 2025.
Florida County unveils electric school buses
Florida’s Glades County School District earlier this year celebrated the arrival of 13 new electric school buses, which replaced over half of the district’s aging diesel fleet. These new buses, which can transport 77 students up to 120 miles per charge, are expected to cost much less to fuel: 19 cents per mile compared to 79 cents for diesel buses. Perhaps most excitingly, these electric buses, funded by the EPA Clean School Bus Program, provide air-conditioned rides to the majority of district students for the first time. Read more.
Wind energy provides income for North Carolina farmers
North Carolina native Steve Harris has spent more than five decades farming the fertile land of Pasquotank County. Now in addition to corn, soybeans, and wheat, Steve’s land is also home to 11 wind turbines. In addition to generating clean energy, these turbines provide Steve with a reliable source of income — one not dependent on unpredictable crop yields or changing weather patterns. Read more.
Rural Tennesseans can test drive EVs
Rural Reimagined is driving change in rural Appalachia. By creating a “library lending” program for EVs, the project is working to speed vehicle electrification across Appalachia, including parts of Tennessee. Any resident in the designated region can sign up to borrow an EV for free for two to six weeks, exposing them to the potential cost savings of going electric. A “AAA-like service” even provides emergency EV charging for these drivers. Read more.
North Carolina town forges ahead on solar-powered weatherization hub
“We still stand up. We still try.” Despite federal headwinds against clean energy, the town of Enfield, North Carolina is forging ahead with its clean energy plans. With the help of remaining clean energy grants and rebates, the largely Black community continues to work on creating a solar-powered weatherization hub, where town leaders hope to host do-it-yourself energy efficiency workshops and provide a stable internet connection for workers. Read more.
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians combines electric school buses with solar canopies
North Carolina’s Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is charging ahead! By combining electric school buses, solar canopies, vehicle-to-grid technology, and solar microgrids, the Tribe is creating a model for communities all across the nation. Solar canopies generate enough clean electricity to power the Tribe’s 16 electric school buses and, soon, its broader solar microgrid. Through vehicle-to-grid technology, the buses, in turn, send energy back to the grid. Read more.
Solar provides income for Georgia farmers
Farmers are harvesting the power of the sun! Lease payments generated by solar installations provide farmers with a predictable source of long-term income — offsetting rising property taxes, volatile equipment costs, and loan payments. Meanwhile, projects like the Snipesville Solar Ranch in Georgia use sheep grazing to maintain healthy vegetation and reduce maintenance costs. Read more.
Follow along each week
These stories highlight just a few of the positive things happening in our area! Every day, we see signs of hope. The Clean Energy Generation is creating a future powered by clean energy that leads to clean air and water, good jobs, and vibrant communities.
Would you like to see more stories like this? We’ve got just the thing for you! Every Thursday, we share the latest clean energy news on Instagram with #CleanEnergyNews. Join us as we celebrate the progress and signs of hope in the clean energy transition.
Join the Clean Energy Generation
Together, all of us who are taking action are part of the Clean Energy Generation movement. We’re coming together to create healthier communities and a more secure and sustainable environment, starting now. No matter your age, income, zip code, or abilities, you can play a role. You don’t have to have the answers; learning more is a great way to start. Join us, and we’ll share ideas, resources, tools, and practices to show how we can all be part of the transformation.
