The U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency signed a joint memorandum of understanding to help guide new clean energy opportunities.
These opportunities will support access to affordable and reliable electricity while advancing the country closer to the Biden-Harris administration's goal of achieving a net-zero economy by 2050, according to a March 9 news release.
"A reliable electric power system is essential to our national security, continued economic growth and the protection of public health," EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said in the release. "That’s why DOE and EPA are uniting our long-standing efforts to ensure a robust and resilient system, especially as the power sector accelerates the transition to low- and zero-carbon energy sources."
EPA and DOE officials signed the memorandum to facilitate the growth of clean energy sources, according to the news release. With escalating challenges to electrical power reliability, including extreme weather events and increased energy demand, the collaboration between EPA and DOE is intended to establish a framework to harness the reliability benefits of a clean energy industry.
"Under this partnership with DOE, we will provide needed regulatory certainty and support grid reliability and resiliency at every stage as the agency advances efforts to reduce pollution, protect public health and deliver environmental and economic benefits for all," Regan said in the release.
The memorandum provides a framework that allows sharing of information and analysis between the two agencies, in addition to routine and comprehensive policy communications, programs and activities about electric reliability, the release reported.
The memorandum also provides for joint ongoing monitoring and outreach to key stakeholders with both agencies designating experts on electric reliability to serve as points of contact for routine communications, according to the release. Those designated experts will meet on an at least semiannual basis for updates about policies, programs and activities pertaining to electric reliability.
The memorandum also supports EPA's development of new health and environmental protections for the nation's power sector and DOE's implementation of investment resources for clean energy deployment, grid reliability and resilience, the release said. Funding for those programs has been coming from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act.
"The clean energy transition is an amazing opportunity to add a diverse range of energy sources to our power systems, making them more resilient and reliable," U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm said. "I am proud that DOE and EPA are partnering together with industry and communities to help equip the grid to deliver affordable, clean electricity to all Americans."
