The Obama Administration Must Accelerate Energy Innovation, Says PCAST Report

It is imperative that the Obama administration create a more coordinated and robust federal energy policy focused on advancing energy innovation, according to a new report by the Presidential Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST). They argue the U.S. must be at the forefront of energy technology to increase economic competiveness, protect the environment and improve national security. In Accelerating the Pace of Change in Energy Technologies Though an Integrated Federal Energy Policy, PCAST outlines several recommendations that could position the U.S. at the forefront of energy innovation over the next decade.

The administration should establish a national Quadrennial Energy Review (QER) process to coordinate federal agencies, the executive branch and congress. The QER would be developed not only by government entities, but also include representatives from industry, business, state and local governments, non-government organizations and the public. The QER would:

• Layout short and long-term energy objectives;
• Outline legislative proposals for congress;
• Coordinate executive actions and federal agencies; and,
• Identify the resources needed for the development and implementation of energy technologies.

The Department of Energy (DOE) should facilitate the move towards a national QER by preparing and implementing a DOE-QER. This roadmap would focus on key energy technologies, integration of national laboratories in energy programs, a portfolio assessment and identification of funding needs.

PCAST also recommends that federal investments in energy research, development, demonstration and deployment (RDD&D) increase to $16 billion per year. Due to the current economic climate, PCAST recommends an alternative funding approach to achieve the increase in RDD&D funding. Congress and the private sector should work to develop new revenue streams to fund $10 billion of the recommended increase. The U.S. should also focus on realigning current energy subsidies and incentives to advance energy innovation through U.S. government purchasing power and leveraging international collaborations. Read the Report ...