As the final months of President Joe Biden’s administration approach, the 47th president is moving quickly to accomplish his stated goals. And the rush to fund clean energy technology — a task potentially on the chopping block should Donald Trump win reelection — is in full swing.
In the last week alone, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced over $3 billion in clean energy development and climate resilience funding. Announcements in the last week include:
- $430 million to accelerate the development of clean energy manufacturing in former coal communities.
- $2 billion to expand transmission and reinforce the grid against increasing threats of extreme weather.
- The selection of four companies — Louisiana Energy Services, Orano Federal Services, General Matter, and American Centrifuge Operating — to establish a national supply of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) to support nuclear reactor expansion.
- $125 million to upgrade old diesel engines in school buses, port equipment, and construction equipment to zero-emission alternatives.
- $860 million in loan guarantees to support construction of utility-scale solar and battery storage in Puerto Rico.
“For almost nine out of every $10, we’ve moved them either into competition or into awards across the board,” said White House climate advisor Ali Zaidi on a call with reporters, referring to the funds allocated to the Inflation Reduction Act.
If Vice President Kamala Harris wins the election, she pledged to follow a similar path as Biden concerning a climate change agenda. Should Donald Trump win, he has already gone on the record vowing to pull back any unspent funds from the IRA. Of course, the ultimate future of IRA funds will rest with Congress.
“We should have a Congress that is focused on increasing funding intro grant programs like [the IRA],” Zaidi said, appealing to Congress, “to stop voting to try to repeal provisions like this that are creating economic opportunity in places that have seen setbacks and disinvestment over the last several decade.”