U.S. Department of Energy announced $38 million to start decarbonizing four of its 17 National Laboratories.
The Net-Zero Labs pilot initiative is expected to lay the foundation for a addressing hard-to-decarbonize industries and will serve as an example for net-zero solutions that can be replicated at other facilities, according to a May 25 DOE news release. This initiative is part of President Joe Biden's goal to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
"Transitioning to a net-zero future will require slashing carbon pollution across all industries — from shipping to manufacturing to construction, and even the operation of our national laboratories,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm in the release. "DOE's National Labs are leading by example to address some of the most energy-intensive, hardest-to-decarbonize federal facilities to reduce our nation’s carbon footprint — mitigating the disastrous impacts of climate change, lowering energy costs and supporting the growing clean energy workforce."
According to the news release, the four DOE National Laboratories in the pilot program are Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho Falls, Idaho; National Energy Technology Laboratory in Pittsburgh, Pa.; Morgantown, West Virginia and Albany, Ore.; National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colo.; and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Wash.
The four facilities are taking "proactive steps to harness and produce technology at their facilities to drive down their carbon emissions," the news release said.
“The Net-Zero Lab Initiative will jump start our clean economy,” said U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper, D-Colo, in the release. “There is no better place for Secretary Granholm to announce this program than in Colorado, where labs like NREL are fighting climate change.”
More competitive funding is expected to be available to all 17 of DOE's national laboratories sometime next year, the release reported.
"Our national labs are doing critical work in developing the clean energy technologies we need to eliminate the world's greenhouse gas emissions, and I'm proud that Pittsburgh's National Energy Technology Lab is one of the facilities taking the lead," U.S. Rep. Michael Doyle, D-Pa., said in the release.
“The Net-Zero Labs pilot launch is an important step towards decarbonization,” said U.S. Rep. Joseph Neguse, D-Colo., in the release. “This innovative program will be a model for the nation, and I am thrilled that the National Renewable Energy Laboratory is at the heart of this essential work.”
"Central Washington, home to the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, is leading the nation in embracing innovation and lowering energy costs through its commitment to pursuing an 'all-of-the-above' energy approach," U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse, D-Wash., said, according to the release. "From solar and wind, to natural gas, nuclear and hydropower, Central Washington is truly laying the groundwork for a net-zero future. The innovation and research happening at the PNNL has played a pivotal role in getting us to where we are today, and today's announcement highlights that essential role while further enabling PNNL to continue to innovate and lead the way towards decarbonization."
