Clean Energy Initiative

NDN’s Clean Energy Initiative centers on transforming discussions about 20th century energy policy into a new framework where energy policy is deeply integrated with economic policy and America’s 21st century challenges.  
 
Our Electricity 2.0 Program focuses on the issues surrounding the modernization of the electric grid structure for the 21st Century, including the need to replace, renovate and expand our infrastructure with an equal goal to address the issue of renewable energies, a more open energy network, greater consumer choice and the development of a new business model for the  21st Century.

 


Recent

Department of Defense and Next Generation Energy Technology  On July 25 we hosted a panel discussion on the incredible impact of the Military’s investment in clean energy.  Jon Powers, Federal Executive for White House office of Climate Energy Quality was joined by Dr. Holmes Hummel of Department of Energy, Dr. Jeff Marqusee of Department of Defense and Jeff Weiss, of Distributed Sun, LLC.

 

 

Heather Zichal On June 25, we hosted Deputy Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change Heather Zichal, who spoke on the successes of the Obama administration's All of the Above energy policy and what the President has accomplished with this comprehensive national energy plan.

 

 

Ken SalazarKen Salazar, On April 25, we hosted United States Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, who outlined the Administration's upcoming energy strategy at a luncheon at NDN. The Obama Administration, and the DOI have made remarkable progress through their 'all-of-the-above' approach to energy over the last three years.

 

The Role of Consumers in Shaping Energy Use - On April 6 we hosted a panel titled "The Critical Role of Consumers in Shaping The Future of Energy Use." The event, which was co-hosted with Opower, spotlighted the panel examined the role that customers can and should play in driving energy policy and proactively managing their home energy.

 

Solar Tariff Panel - On March 16 NDN's Clean Energy Initiative hosted a panel titled "Solar Tariffs:  Smart Policy or Protectionism?" Leading experts from the field joined us to discuss the issues involved with China, international trade, the labor market and solar technology. This panel was the seventh in our ongoing "Clean Energy Solution Series".relationship between consumer energy use and new technologies for over


Gina McCarthy

Gina McCarthy, On January 20, Ms. McCarthy, Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation for the Environmental Protection Agency, spoke to our 6th Clean Energy Solution Series on the impact of the newly released EPA national standards for mercury and other air toxins which will ultimately prevent 90% of mercury, 88% of natural gas emissions, and 41% of sulpher dioxins. 

 

Progress and Promise of the Electric Vehicle - On December 6, 2011 the fifth of our Clean Energy Solution Series feataured a panel of industry thought leaders for a discussion on the future of the Electric Vehicle.  This panel highlighted the recent emergence of the electric vehicle in today’s economy and how innovations in clean energy have opened doors for growth and opportunities of the electric car. 

 

Paul Tonko (NY-12)

Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-12) -  On October 21, 2011 our New York Clean Energy Forum featured Congressman Tonko who made the case for distributed generation throughout our country.  He pointed out the attributes of off-grid energy both in terms of saving the consumer money but also in terms of long term energy efficiency.  Tonko says Smart Grid/Smart Energy projects should continue to be funded through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, as they will ultimately engage the consumer with their energy use and resulting energy efficiency.  

 

Jack Hidary - On October 4, 2011, Jack Hidary, the well known energy Jack Hidaryentreprenaur spoke to our New York Clean Energy Forum on 'The Gamechanger:  China’s Unstoppable Clean Energy Exports'. Combining his considerable expertise in finance, science, technology, Jack's speech  focused on China's  master business plan every five years.  That plan, coupled with the enormity of China’s population, landmass, and financial resources, puts a footprint on every country and every major business in this global economy.  

 

Wind TurbineEconomics of Wind Energy and the Relevance of Tax Credits - On September 27, 2011, we held the fourth event in our Clean Energy Solution Series featuring a panel discussion on the the economic ramifications of wind energy presenting the case for investment of wind energy and outlined the realities of wind energy and other renewable energy in the political climate of the 112th Congress. 

FERC Panel

 

Transmission Reform:  What Does It Mean for Renewables? - On July 28, 2011, the third in our Clean Energy Solution Series featured a panel discussionon the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Rulemaking, Order 1000 and the potential of a modernized electric grid structure to provide nationwide consumers with renewable energy.

 

The Speed of Solar: A Review of the Tremendous Impact of Solar - On June 27, 2011, we held the second event in out "Clean Energy Solution Series", which spotlighted the success of rooftop solar energy, particularly for Sungevity Rooftop Energy. The rooftop solar industry, now no longer a cottage industry selling to the wealthy in the state of California, is now mainstream and viable in almost every state.

 

Wireless Technology:  New Technologies and the Electric Grid - On June 16, we held our first Clean Energy Solution Series on how wireless communications can create innovation opportunities for clean energy technologies and the smart grid.  We also released new national polling which shows public support for new approaches on energy outside the scope of the current debate.

Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM)

Senator Jeff Bingaman - On January 31, 2011 Senator Bingaman, Chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee outlined his priorities for an energy agenda for the 112th Congress at a packed luncheon of over 250 people at the National Press Club. The Senator outlined four elements which he said should be at the heart of a comprehensive energy legislation to make the United States competitive in global energy markets.  To read more follow the links below:

Understanding the Transformative Potential of Microgrids and Distributed Power - On December 10, 2010, four industry pioneers; in localized generation and power management discussed the overwhelming success of cogeneration.  Cogeneration has revolutionized industrial power in the US, but also the huge, untapped potential of microgrids harnessing cogen and distributed power to modernize American electricity.  

Michael Moynihan to Present at the CITI Conference on Broadband Networks & Smart Grid

Michael Moynihan presents E 2.0 at Georgetown Energy and Cleantech Conference

Accelerating the Clean Energy Economy: Key Pathways, Policies, and Pitfalls 6/29/10: with Michael Moynihan, Dan Carol, Robert Shapiro, and Aimee Christensen NDN hosted a panel on the imperative of moving towards a clean energy economy and how this transition will take shape. The lively discussion explored the financial and regulatory incentives for clean energy development, as well as the necessary legislative actions to put these incentives into place.

NDN in New York - Electricity 2.0: Unlocking the Power of the Open Energy Network 5/21/10: with Michael Moynihan Clean Energy Initiativei Director Michael Moynihan hosted a presentation in New York, examining the electricity industry and why the uptake of renewables has been so slow. He argued that the answer lies in the outdated and complex structure of Electricity 1.0, a closed, highly regulated network created a century ago, fundamentally incompatible with clean technology and renewable power. It's now time for America to upgrade to Electricity 2.0, an open, distributed network capable of fostering innovation and a clean technology revolution.

Congressman Edward Markey, Nick Sinai, Clem Palevich, Jigar Shah and Michael Moynihan to speak on Electricity 2.0: Envisioning the Future of Electricity 5/11/10: This important event focused on charting a course to the electricity future. In addition to protecting our climate and enhancing energy security, clean electricity has the potential to power a new wave of prosperity. It can serve as a platform for entrepreneurs and innovators to create new jobs and build new industries.

Papers

Electricity 2.0: Unlocking the Power of the Open Energy Network (OEN) 2/4/10: By Michael Moynihan In a major new policy paper, Clean Energy Initiative Director Michael Moynihan argues that America must upgrade to Electricity 2.0, an open, distributed network, to unlock the potential of clean technology and unleash a renewable revolution.

Solar Energy: The Case for Action 8/1/08: By Michael Moynihan While a variety of renewable fuels have different strengths, the subject of this paper, solar power -- ubiquitous, not tied to any nation or territory, clean and free once capital equipment to capture it has been installed -- holds special promise.

Investing in Our Common Future: U.S. Infrastructure 10/13/07: By Michael Moynihan Michael Moynihan looks at the current state of public investment in infrastructure and proposes a set of measures to restore our national political will and improve funding mechanisms to rebuild and advance U.S. infrastructure.

Let Local Governments Create Clean Energy Jobs

We can all agree that saving energy is a good thing.

We can also all agree that creating new jobs is a good thing.

Therefore, it's a little strange that an energy conservation program that could put thousands of people back to work is languishing instead of flourishing.

As reported by Inside Climate News, the Qualified Energy Conservation Bond program:

'is supposed to help state and municipal governments develop clean energy projects. But of the $3.2 billion available, only $550 million—or just over 15 percent—has been spent since the program was created in 2008.

The problem, according to a coalition of clean energy advocates, is that the program’s guidelines are so vaguely written that it's almost impossible to figure out which projects qualify for the money.'

Help get this money deployed - and get people working while reducing energy consumption - by signing here.

 

Congressman Paul Tonko (NY21) to Address New York Energy Forum

Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-12) a leading expert on energy and environmental issues will deliver a luncheon address. 

Location

Harvard Club, Slocum Room
35 W 44th Street
New York, NY
United States

Economic Ramifications of Wind Energy and the Relevance of Tax Credits

The Clean Energy Initiative will host a panel discussion, Wind Energy: The Economic Ramifications of Wind Energy and the Relevance of Tax Credits.  This discussion will highlight the burgeoning wind economy and discuss how current budget debates might impact the industry in the years ahead. 

Featured panelists include Markian Melnyk, President of Atlantic Wind Connection, Rob Gramlich, Senior VP of  American Wind Energy, Laura Haynes, Senior Director of Energy and Environment  for Senator Tom Carper (DE) and Michal Moynihan, Director of NDN Clean Energy Initiative. 

Please RSVP Today!

Location

NDN/New Policy Institute
729 15th Street NW
Washington
United States

Invite: Thur, July 28th - How Will The New FERC Ruling Effect You?

Yesterday's FERC Rulemaking significantly reformed transmission access and will streamline how electric lines get paid for across regional areas. Our Clean Energy Initiative will be hosting a lively discussion on how this ruling will effect Renewables.

Please join us for a lunchtime discussion on Thursday July 28th at 12noon in the NDN Event Space, 729 15th St on the first floor.  We have a quality panel lined up:

Joe Kelliher, Vice President, NextERA Energy and former FERC Commissioner
Nina Plaushin, Vice President of Federal Affairs at ITC Holding
Tom Vinson, Senior Director of  Federal Regulatory Affairs at AWEA
Bill White,  National Clean Energy Coalition for the Energy Future Coalition

Please be sure to RSVP today! 

Electricity Transmission Issues on the Hotseat, Upcoming Event 7/28

Electricity Transmission, an issue that has been brewing for quite a while, has come to the forefront this summer. 

 It is widely expected that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) will make a much anticipated  Proposed Rulemaking on Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation by Transmission Owning and Operating Public Utilities. 

Recently,  Senator Wyden (D-OR) and Bob Corker (R-TN) introduced legislation (S.400) to deal with the electric transmission issue and has been referred to the Energy and Commerce Committee for discussion. The bill seeks to amend the Federal Power Act by prohibiting FERC from finding any electricity rate "just and reasonable" unless the cost allocation among consumers is "reasonably proportionate to measureable economic or reliability benefits."  In a recent letter to Senator Bingaman, Chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee  Senator Corker stated that FERC’s "proposed rule so broadly defines benefits that the principles by which electric transmission costs have traditionally been allocated may be nullified,"

Not surprisingly, there is huge opposition to this legislation but strong support  for FERC’s proposed rule.  A July 14, letter signed by a coalition of over 80 electrici utilities, environmental groups, manufacturing and transmission groups, renewable energy developers, and other groups was sent to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell expressing concerns S.400.  This letter states that S. 400 adopts an unreasonable benefit standard that will thwart the construction of transmission needed to reliably deliver new sources of generation and foster competition and goes on to say that the anticipated FERC Rulemaking is a better solution.  The letter states that the proposed FEREC ruling requires that only those who benefit from new electric transmission facilities pay for those facilities and that the amount paid should be “roughly commensurate with the benefits received”.  The net out being that no one who does not benefit from new transmission will have to pay the cost of that transmission.  This would thereby render S.400 unnecessary.

Please join us for a lively and compelling discussion of  just exactly how to build and allocate cost for new transmission lines, especially as they relate to the delivery of renewable energies.   NDN/New Policy Institute will host a panel discussion “Transmission Policy Reform: What does this mean for Renewables?” scheduled for Thursday, July 28, at 12noon at NDN which is located at 729 15th Street on the first floor. 

As a caveat, it is the nature of FERC to not disclose specific information in advance of their Rulemaking,  so it is quite possible that this Rulemaking could occur on another date.  In that case, we will postpone our panel discussion accordingly and notify you of the change, but for now, please mark your calendars.

And please RSVP here!

Affordability of Solar

Affordability of Solar

Solar is becoming more and more affordable for the average consumer. Rooftop solar has been increasing in popularity in the past years and has recently been becoming more available to install in homes. Not only is the federal government giving incentives for installing solar panels but state governments and individual solar companies are making it more affordable.

Federal Incentives

The American Recovery and Reinvestment act of 2009 supported the advancement of solar technology. Part of the Recovery act was a tax credit for installing a home solar system. This would pay for 30% of your overall system. This tax credit was extended through 2016. So make sure when you are installing your solar that you have the necessary documentation to claim this come tax season.
State Incentives
Each state has different incentives for installing solar panels, some are better than others. California has a cash rebate system in place. This can reduce the cost by 10% to 15% at the time of installation. Many specific cities and utility companies within California also offer an additional or alternative incentive that can knock a chunk of the cost off. Arizonans can get up to a $1000 tax credit when you lease or buy your system. And Tucson Electric Power’s rebate might be the most generous in the world; they cover up to 60% of the cost of installation! These state incentives are not confined to the southwest however. The state of Massachusetts allows a 15% tax credit against the state income tax for up to $1000. Also, in the state of Massachusetts any renewable energy structure is 100% exempt from property tax. To find out what your state has to offer check out this link: http://www.solarhome.org/solartaxincentivesbystate.html

Affordable Solar Companies

Various solar companies across the country are trying to make solar more available. For example, Sungevity has a program where you can decide whether it is better for you to lease or buy your solar panels from them.

The pros of leasing are:
•    $ 0 Down and low monthly payments equal instant savings.
•    You want the financial and environmental benefits of solar but don't want to pay the high upfront cost.
•    You don't want to worry about routine maintenance or monitoring of your solar home system.
•    You don't want to worry about having to insure or repair your solar home system.

Versus the pros of buying:
•    $1,000 deposit and an investment in your home.
•    You want to own your system and realize greater long-term savings.
•    You don't mind being responsible for your system's maintenance and repair.
•    You're willing to add a solar system to your homeowner's insurance policy

ou can learn more at http://www.sungevity.com/lease-or-buy. All over the country the solar industry is growing. The solar industry census from 2010 showed that the industry was growing at 26%, the industry is booming bringing more savings to the consumer.

More information links
http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/going/sungevity-lowes-make-home-solar-more-affordable-than-ever/

The White House Framework for Grid Modernization

Yesterday, the White House released its keenly anticipated policy blueprint "A Policy Framework for the 21st Century Grid: Enabling Our Secure Energy Future", at an event at the White House.  As one of those whose input the report's authors solicited and someone who has argued that modernizing our electricity architecture is vital to the entire clean energy project, I am pleased that the document is now public.

Perhaps the greatest value of the Administration's Framework for the future of the grid is that it addresses the many topics related to the grid and commits the Administration to a path forward on all of them, a path based on considerable stakeholder input.  As NEC senior advisor Phil Weiser put it at yesterday's event, the framework is certainly not the beginning of the end of modernizing our electricity architecture, in Churchill's phrase, but it may be the end of the beginning.

The Framework sets forth a number of important priorities and pathways, all of them topics that our Electricity 2.0 project has addressed as well.  These include "Unlocking Innovation in the Electricity Sector" through open standards, demand management and perhaps most critically, preventing anti-competitive behavior.  In the words of the framework: "Ensuring options for consumers can catalyze innovation and help to empower them."

The report also has an entire chapter on a key priority of Electricity 2.0, "Empowering Consumers and Enabling Informed Decisionmaking".  As I have long argued, there is a strong pent up desire on the part of the American people to play a role in transitioning to clean energy but they have lacked the tools to do so.   The framework very explicitly endorses the idea of empowering consumers with information and the opportunity to exercise choice.

The framework also properly focuses on security.  Modernizing our electricity architecture means creating more reslience in the network, redundancy and safeguards against catastrophic failure.  Information technology and an upgrading of the architecture to manage variable generation--linked to intelligent demand will be key to achieiving the clean energy promise.

At yesterday's event, Energy Secretary Chu talked about the incredible innovation that has occurred at the edge of the grid-- as in LED lighting, electronics and solar panels--in sharp contrast to a system of transmission and distribution that Edison, Tesla and Westinghouse would recognize.  Going forward, it will be critical to open up portions of the network that those pioneers launched to a richer ecosystem of modern day innovators to bring the electricity backbone into the 21st Century. 

Also at the event, John Holdren, the President's Science Advisor and Aneesh Chopra, the CTO of the government, spoke about the critical role that grid modernization must play in moving America toward a clean energy fuure.

All in all, it was an excellent day of discussion around a very important policy document.

We are very fortunate that later this week on Thursday at 12:30PM at NDN, Nick Sinai of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, one of those who worked closely on the Framework, will be participating in our Clean Energy Solutions event at NDN where he will talk about the Framework

Our event will also feature a number of other distinguished speakers and include a presentation by Verizon debuting an exciting new service in this space. 

Don't miss this important and very timely event.   RSVP here.

Invite: Thur, June 16th - Wireless and the Grid - A Clean Energy Solution Series Event

Please join NDN/NPI on Thursday, June 16, at 12:30pm for what will be a powerful look at "Wireless Technology:  New Technologies and the Electric Grid".  This lunchtime discussion will highlight how wireless communications are creating new innovation opportunities for clean energy technologies and the smart grid.  We will also release new national polling which shows public support for new approaches on energy outside the scope of the current debate. 

Joining my colleagues Dan Carol, Senior Fellow for Innovation and Clean Economy and Michael Moynihan, Chair of NDN's Clean Energy Initiative, are the following set of experts:

Nick Sinai, Senior Advisor to CTO, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy

Stewart Kantor, CEO of Full Spectrum

Kurt Yeager, Executive Director of Galvin Electricity Institute

Ann Shaub, Executive Director Home Management Services

Please RSVP today!

 Skinny Clean Energy Initiative logo

This event is the first in a series of events we are calling the Clean Energy Solution Series.  Our intent is to showcase the leaders, companies, ideas and policies who are hastening our transition to a cleaner, safer and more distributed energy paradigm of the 21st century.  If you have suggestions, please contact me at cgiesen@ndn.org.

 

 

Secretary of Commerce Nominee, John Bryson

There are many reasons that John Bryson, nominated by President Obama yesterday to be the next Secretary of Commerce, is an ideal pick for the job.  Bryson, as many news outlets have reported, is a highly successful CEO who, sitting on the boards of companies like Boeing and Disney, understands US business in its many dimensions.  He also has exceptional environmental credentials as a founder, years ago, of the Natural Resources Defense Council.

However, of greatest relevance to the future of the US economy, may well be that as the former CEO of Edison international, the parent of Socal, one of the most progressive utilities in the nation, he understands the challenges of the electricity industry to an exceptional degree.  Electricity lies at the heart of the clean energy challenge and Bryson will bring to the job extraordinary expertise in building the clean energy economy of the future.  Indeed, his choice for the job highlights the degree to which energy has moved from being a resource issue to an economic one that lies at the heart of US competitiveness and the future of the US economy.

While helming Edison International, Bryson earned high marks for increasing the role of solar and wind power in Edison's portfolio.  Today, its subsidiary Southern California Edison buys 65% of all solar power generated in the United States.  And it sources close to 20% of its power from renewable sources.  If the entire United States were equally friendly to renewables, the clean energy revolution in the United States would be well on its way to completion.  In fact, of course, non-hydro power today still supplies only about 3% of US power compared with 20-30% in some European countries.

Perhaps most important of all to the clean energy project, Bryson also has shown he understands the importance of modernizing the grid which the Administration is also making a high priority.

As the US continues to recover from the Great Recession, having a skilled economic leadership team in place is more important than ever.

Congress should move quickly to confirm the John Bryson nomination.

President Obama Addresses Energy Issues

This Thursday, President Barak Obama gave a major address at Georgetown University.  The following is an outline of his remarks:

Reducing oil imports

In 2008, America imported 11 million barrels of oil a day.  By 2025 – a little over a decade from now – we will have cut that by one-third.

  • Expanding Safe and Responsible Domestic Oil and Gas Development and Production:
    • Implementing critical safety reforms:  In response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the Obama Administration has launched rigorous and comprehensive environmental and safety reforms to ensure the responsible development of offshore oil and gas resource
    • Identifying underdeveloped resources:  The President asked the Department of the Interior (DOI) to issue a report on the status of unused oil and gas leases.  That report showed that 57 percent of all leased onshore acres and 70 percent of offshore leased acres are inactive – meaning that they are neither being explored or developed.
    • Developing incentives for expedited development and production: DOI is developing incentives for expedited development of oil and gas production from existing and future leases.  For its offshore leasing program, the DOI has already begun to employ incentives, including the shortening of some lease terms to encourage earlier development, and requiring drilling to begin before an extension can be granted on a lease.  DOI is also evaluating the potential use of graduated royalty rate structures, such as those adopted by the State of Texas, to encourage more rapid production.
  • Securing Access to Diverse and Reliable Sources of Energy:  The U.S. is acting in the international arena to moderate global oil demand and secure additional supplies of liquid fuels and clean energy.  We are working with our international partners to increase natural gas supplies, replace oil with natural gas in power generation, and increase responsible oil production in a manner that ensures safety .  We are also increasing sustainable bioenergy production, building a new international framework for nuclear energy, and promoting energy efficiency.  
  • Developing Alternatives to Oil, Including Biofuels and Natural Gas:  Some of our most effective opportunities to enhance our energy security can be found in our own backyard.  We are committed to finding better and smarter ways to use these abundant energy resources. That means:
    • Expanding biofuels markets and commercializing new biofuels technologies:  Corn ethanol is already making a significant contribution to reducing our oil dependence, but increasing market share will require overcoming infrastructure challenges and commercializing promising cellulosic and advanced biofuels technologies.  To help achieve this goal, the Administration has set a goal of breaking ground on at least four commercial-scale cellulosic or advanced bio-refineries over the next two years. And as we do all of these things, we will look for ways to reform our biofuels incentives to make sure they meet today’s biofuels challenges and save taxpayers money.  
    • Encouraging responsible development practices for natural gas:  The Administration is committed to the use of this important domestic resource, but we must ensure it is developed safely and responsibly. To that end the Administration is focused on increasing transparency about the use of fracking chemicals, working with state regulators to offer technical assistance, and launching a new initiative to tap experts in industry, the environmental community and states to develop recommendations for shale extraction practices that will ensure the protection of public health and the environment. 
  • Cutting Costs at the Pump with More Efficient Cars and Trucks:   The Administration is building on recent investments in advanced vehicles, fuel, technologies, high speed rail, and public transit:
    • Setting historic new fuel economy standards: Standards for model years 2012-16 will raise average fuel economy to 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016, and save 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the lifetime of the vehicles covered. In July, the Administration will also finalize the first-ever national fuel economy and greenhouse gas emission standards for commercial trucks, vans and buses built in 2014 - 2018.  These standards will cut oil use and promote the development and deployment of alternative fuels, including natural gas.  The Administration is also developing the next generation of fuel economy and greenhouse gas emission standards for passenger vehicles 2017-2025 and expects to announce the proposal in September 2011.
    • Paving the way for advanced vehicles:  The President has set an ambitious goal of putting 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2015.  To help us get there, the President’s FY 2012 Budget proposes a redesigned $7500 tax credit for consumers, competitive grants for communities that encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, and funding for R&D to drive innovation in advanced battery technology.  At the same time, the President is calling on Congress to move forward with policies that can help unlock the promise of natural gas vehicles.
  • Leading by Example With the Federal Fleet.  The Federal government operates more than 600,000 fleet vehicles.   We have already doubled the number of hybrid vehicles in the federal fleet.  Today, the President is calling for administrative action directing agencies to ensure that by 2015, all new vehicles they purchase will be alternative-fuel vehicles, including hybrid and electric vehicles. 

Innovating Our Way to a Clean Energy Future 

Charting a path  towards cleaner sources of electricity and greater energy efficiency, and remaining on the cutting edge of clean energy technology.

  • Creating Markets for Clean Energy:  To move capital off of the sidelines and into the clean energy economy – creating jobs in the process – we need to give businesses and entrepreneurs a clear signal that there will be a market for clean energy innovation.  That’s why the Administration is committed to pursuing a Clean Energy Standard (CES), an ambitious but achievable goal of generating 80 percent of the Nation’s electricity from clean energy sources by 2035 – including renewable energy sources like wind, solar, biomass, and hydropower; nuclear power; efficient natural gas; and clean coal.
  • Cutting Energy Bills through More Efficient Homes and Buildings: Our homes, businesses and factories consume over 70 percent of the energy we use.  By making smart investments in energy efficiency in the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors, we can improve U.S. competitiveness and protect our environment, while saving consumers money on electricity bills.  That is why the Administration is on track to weatherize 600,000 low-income homes through Recovery Act investments, and why we remain committed to a series of policies that increase efficiency across sectors – including a HOMESTAR program to help homeowners finance retrofits, a “Better Buildings Initiative” to make commercial facilities 20 percent more efficient by 2020, and steps to promote industrial energy efficiency.

Staying on the Cutting Edge through Clean Energy Research and Development:  Through the Advanced Research Project Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) program, we have invested in over 100 cutting-edge projects in areas ranging from smart grid technology, to carbon capture, to battery technology for electric vehicles. Past Budgets funded three “Energy Innovation Hubs” that explore building efficiency, fuel from sunlight, and nuclear reactor modeling and simulation.  The FY 2012 Budget request more than doubles funding for ARPA-E and doubles the number of Hubs to include new Hubs that will advance smart grid technology, critical materials research, as well as batteries and energy storage

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