The Department of Energy (DOE) is creating a new office intended on assisting in the Biden Administration’s climate agenda focused on creating jobs for Americans and reducing pollution.
According to a press release, $20 billion in federal funding is being used for the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, which will support clean energy technology demonstration projects. This includes, but is not limited to, clean hydrogen, carbon capture, grid-scale energy storage and small modular reactors. The office will work on President Joe Biden’s agenda to create new jobs and also cut down on pollution. This new office, which falls under the authority of the Under Secretary for Science and Energy, was created with funding provided by the Biden Bipartisan Infrastructure law which gave $62 billion to DOE. Its intention is to advance green energy technologies across the nation.
“Thanks to the investments Congress made in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations will move clean energy technologies out of the lab and into local and regional economies across the country, proving the value of technologies that can deliver for communities, businesses, and markets,” Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm said. “This new office will hire the best and brightest talent to invest in cutting-edge clean energy projects, and DOE is calling on anyone dedicated to addressing the climate crisis to roll up their sleeves and join us.”
The release by DOE adds that the programs include billions of dollars to invest in projects in rural areas and economically hard-hit areas, which is a focus of the Biden Administration’s Justice40 initiative. This initiative has a goal of delivering 40% of clean energy investment benefits to these communities, as well as those experiencing the worst impact of climate change.
A report by Axios said that the main purpose is to commercialize energy technologies that reduce carbon emissions, which includes things like clean hydrogen power, advanced nuclear reactors and carbon capture technology.
“This new Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations reflects President Biden’s commitment to help Americans turn on the lights in their homes, drive to work, and power their businesses using clean, affordable, and sustainable energy,” said Mitch Landrieu, White House Senior Advisor and Infrastructure Implementation Coordinator in the release. “This office will make life easier and safer for Americans all across the country.”
