The goals worth wanting from energy—reliable, resilient, affordable, clean—are not balanced in Washington. They are weighed in rate cases, zoning hearings, and statehouses, in decisions most people never see.
Accelerating clean energy deployment promotes economic growth and aligns climate goals with national security interests. But these goals cannot be achieved without fostering enough new generation and transmission capacity to meet rising demand.
The Department of Energy
The Department of Energy (DOE) works to ensure America’s security and prosperity through transformative science and technology solutions. Among other things, it provides support for renewable energy technologies, manages the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile, and oversees the environmental cleanup of legacy nuclear weapons sites.
DOE also funds breakthrough scientific research and runs its own labs – 17 of them across the country. The agency’s work permeates nearly every aspect of modern life, from protecting the air we breathe and water we drink to fueling technological progress like artificial intelligence.
The agency’s chief is the Secretary of Energy, who is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The secretary leads the office and its specialized offices, such as the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Each of these offices has a mission that is shaped by the agency’s overall goals. The Department of Energy also supports internship programs for students and recent graduates interested in government service.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is the agency that oversees energy infrastructure projects, including electric transmission lines and gas pipelines. It also sets wholesale electricity prices and shapes the power grid of the future.
In the current climate, FERC is taking on key clean energy priorities like ensuring that new renewables and other “non-traditional” power resources have a level playing field in our nation’s electricity markets. It’s also working to accelerate the development of important clean energy technologies such as storage and demand-side management.
Local communities, especially community-based and environmental justice organizations, need to better understand FERC proceedings and how they affect their on-the-ground priorities. They can play a vital role in helping shape the conversation at FERC by participating in the right processes and providing relevant expertise. That expertise might look different than an economist’s but is no less valuable in decision-making. CES is committed to helping community-based and environmental justice organizations participate effectively in FERC proceedings.
The Energy Policy Act of 2005
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 contains a variety of provisions that impact electricity and gas policies. NRRI’s summary focuses on the most important parts of EPAct that affect public utility commissions, with the exception of Title XII on renewable energy, which has its own NRRI document (Report# 05-09).
Among the most significant EPAct provisions are its requirements for IRP and related DER strategies and its new emphasis on demand-side management. The Act also establishes a new energy efficiency standard for appliances and establishes a program to encourage the use of photovoltaic solar power in public buildings.
Other significant portions of the Act include its attempt to control greenhouse gases, a provision to protect MTBE refiners from product liability suits, and a call for a plan to ensure the energy security of insular areas that may be affected by typhoons and hurricanes. The Act also calls for cooperation with countries in the Western Hemisphere on energy issues and establishes a program to develop fusion energy sciences.
Electrification
Electrification refers to the replacement of fossil fuels with electric technologies, such as heat pumps, photovoltaic solar panels, and LED bulbs. This can reduce energy consumption, thereby cutting emissions and costs. In addition, it can also improve the efficiency of a building’s systems. This means that energy bills can be significantly reduced, and buildings will be more environmentally friendly.
Moreover, electrification allows for sector coupling, which enables a seamless integration of electricity from renewable sources into existing systems. This can reduce energy costs and emissions in buildings, while boosting the economy. In addition, it can also improve air quality in buildings, reducing indoor and outdoor pollutant concentrations.
Electrification also reduces dependence on foreign sources of energy and promotes local jobs in the construction industry. The adoption of all-electric buildings makes them more attractive to investors and tenants. In addition, it supports climate goals and helps companies meet ESG targets. Moreover, the implementation of these technologies can help countries develop their energy systems and strengthen long-term sovereignty.