LEGISLATION
Hitching a ride on the omnibus
Politico | 12/15/20
Lawmakers reached a deal on a sprawling energy bill that they hope to attach to the government funding bill expected to be finalized this week. The legislation touches on virtually every facet of the energy system and leans heavily on research and innovation incentives.
Negotiators have also reached agreement on a compromise energy package that would boost a host of technologies, including energy storage, advanced nuclear power and direct air carbon capture, according to draft text obtained by POLITICO and three lobbyists tracking the bill.
Lawmakers hope to attach the measure to the government funding bill, Pro's Anthony Adragna, Eric Wolff and Ben Lefebvre report. If enacted, it would be the first significant energy legislation in years.
The legislation pulls from a Senate energy package, S. 2657 (116), assembled by Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), leaders of the Energy Committee, and a House-passed measure, H.R. 4447 (116).
What's inside: The wide-ranging bill would offer money for manufacturing energy efficiency technology, research into extracting critical minerals from coal waste and developing carbon capture technology. It would also require the government to help establish a large-scale demonstration project to pull carbon dioxide directly from the air — including cash payments for successfully doing so — and form a
task force to help develop technology that could capture emissions from industrial activities.
The legislation also benefits a host of energy efficiency programs, including ones aimed at schools, federal buildings and data centers, and it directs the Interior Department to report on how critical mineral supply — both at home and as part of China's Belt and Road trade program — is affecting the U.S. military. It does not, however, include any emissions reduction mandates.
Also missing: A bill to phase down use of hydrofluorocarbons, a climate-change inducing coolant, that had torpedoed legislation earlier this year was not in the package released Monday, though a spokesperson for Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) said it is expected to be separately added to any moving spending package. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also signaled Monday that the omnibus would include that
language.
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TOMORROW:
ECA TO HOST FIRST WEBINAR UNDER ECA’S NEW NUCLEAR INITIATIVE
The Building the Nuclear Energy Future webinar will be held virtually on Wednesday, December 16, 2020, from 12:00 - 3:30 PM ET.
Hear exclusive insights from our list of speakers:
Jim Conca, Chief Technical Officer for UFA Ventures, Inc.
Mary Pietrzyk, Director, Stakeholder Strategy and Engagement, NEI
Suzy Hobbs Baker, Creative Director, Fastest Path to Zero
Jessica Lovering, Founder, Good Energy Collective (Invited)
David Reeploeg, Executive Director, Hanford Communities and Vice President for Federal Programs, TRIDEC
Ron S. Faibish, Sr. Director of Strategic Development, Nuclear Technologies and Materials, General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems
Seth Kirshenberg, Executive Director, Energy Communities Alliance
Mark Gilbertson, Associate Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Regulatory and Policy Affairs, DOE-EM
Amy Lientz, Director, Supply Chain - Energy Industry, Idaho National Laboratory
Registration for this event is free.
GRANTS
Department of Energy Issues Small Business Research and Development Funding Opportunity Announcement
DOE | 12/14/2020
Approximately $50 Million in New Grants Will Support Energy Innovation
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs issued the second Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for Fiscal Year 2021. The Phase I Release 2 FOA, with approximately $50 million in available funding, will allow small businesses to submit applications to establish the technical feasibility of new innovations that
advance the Department’s mission. The following DOE program offices are participating in this FOA:
- Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response
- Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation
- Office of Electricity
- Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
- Office of Environmental Management
- Office of Fossil Energy
- Office of Nuclear Energy
- Office of Science
Phase I grants are 6-12 months in duration with maximum award amounts up to $200,000 or $250,000, depending on research topic. Small businesses that successfully complete their research will compete for funding in Fiscal Year 2022 to carry out prototype or process research and development during Phase II. Phase II grants are up to 2 years in duration with maximum award amounts of $1.1 million or $1.6
million, depending on research topic.
Sept. 8-10 2021 National Cleanup Workshop; Alexandria, VA
Read about DOE's High Level Waste Interpretation
Have questions about DOE’s recent high-level waste (HLW) interpretation? Download ECA’s Key Points and FAQs on the issue to better understand what ECA believes are the potential benefits of implementation.
Interested in learning more? Read the ECA report “Making Informed Decisions on DOE's Proposed High Level Waste Definition” at www.energyca.org/publications
Stay Current on Activities in the DOE World
Read the latest edition of the ECA Bulletin, a regular newsletter providing a detailed brief of ECA activities, legislative news, and major events from across the DOE complex. Have suggestions for future editions? Email bulletin@energyca.org.
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Learn More about Cleanup Sites with ECA's DOE Site Profiles
ECA's new site profiles detail DOE's 13 active Environmental Management cleanup sites and national laboratories, highlighting their history, missions, and priorities. The profiles are a key source for media, stakeholders, and the public to learn more about DOE site activities, contractors, advisory boards, and their surrounding local
governments.
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