Department of Energy Key Priorities
Posted by Victoria on Jul. 30, 2021 / Subscribe 0
The Department of Energy (DOE) has adopted three major priorities under the “Build Back Better” plan piloted by the Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm, and the Biden administration. These priorities include: combatting the climate crisis, creating clean energy union jobs, and promoting energy justice.
Combatting the Climate Crisis
"There is no greater challenge facing our nation and our planet than the climate crisis."
The DOE acknowledges that the climate crisis is one of the most pressing challenges facing the world. Secretary Granholm has announced a long term goal to address this: “President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda will supercharge this progress so America can move to 100% clean electricity by 2035 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.” Seventeen national laboratories are working to research, develop, and implement technologies to improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and eventually achieve 100% clean energy.
Louisiana Clean Fuels (LCF), a DOE designated Clean Cities coalition, has been working with its stakeholders for over 20 years to reduce transportation emissions by promoting domestically produced alternative fuels, electric vehicles, and efficiency measures like vehicle miles traveled (VMT) reductions, public transport, and idle reduction.
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Creating Clean Energy Union Jobs
"Revitalize the U.S. energy and manufacturing sectors and create millions of good-paying union jobs."
The Biden administration intends to redirect the American workforce and manufacturing capabilities into well-paying opportunities that support clean energy. In addition to investments in existing businesses, the DOE will directly create jobs with benefits, protections, and good wages in order to build the necessary infrastructure to transition to cleaner energy.
Louisiana is in a unique position; currently the oil and gas industry makes up about 23% of the state's gross domestic product, which creates hesitancy when considering a transition to clean energy. Despite this position, it's important to recognize the great opportunity for Louisiana to produce new jobs in the transition, such as with offshore wind development in the Gulf of Mexico or biofuels such as renewable natural gas or renewable diesel which can use existing infrastructure. Investments in job retraining, refitting infrastructure, and transitioning our state economy will be crucial to set up the state for a successful future.
Louisiana Clean Fuels is committed to supporting our state’s community college system, automotive technicians, and first responders by providing workforce development and safety training through grant funding, personalized workshops, webinars, and technical assistance.
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Promote Energy Justice
"The clean energy revolution must make sure those who have suffered the most are the first to benefit."
The DOE believes that the clean energy revolution must lift up underserved communities that have been left behind and make sure those who have suffered the most are the first to benefit. The DOE’s Office of Economic Impact and Diversity pledges to implement a plan to deliver 40% of the overall benefits of climate investments to disadvantaged communities and inform equitable research, development, and deployment within the DOE. Historically, communities of color and low-income communities have faced a higher burden from the impact of pollution. The Energy Justice Dashboard tracks progress on this goal by providing data on DOE investments, including significant investments in Louisiana.
As a recipient of DOE support, Louisiana Clean Fuels is committed to prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of our projects to serve stakeholders in our communities.
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These goals are supported by substantial investments from the DOE, including most recently $127 million for small business research and development grants, $52.5 million for clean hydrogen technologies development, and $22 million for research projects in underserved communities. These projects are just a small sample of the nationwide investments in jobs, technologies, and innovation to make progress under these priorities.
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