U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz addressed the State Energy Offices on the importance of innovation and collaboration at NASEO’s Energy Outlook Conference. The Secretary provided insight on the Administration’s “Mission Innovation,” an international initiative to expand public and private investment in energy research and development over the next five years. This initiative will build on the Administration’s accomplishments, including the launch of Revolution Now, an ongoing commitment to efficiency standards and grid modernization, and will result in a broad suite of low carbon and systems efficiencies projects.
The Secretary also emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between the Federal and State departments of energy through the Quadrennial Energy Review, as well as through ongoing initiatives such as the State Energy Program and Weatherization Assistance Program. The President’s recently announced budget includes a request for increased funding for these programs. In addition, the Secretary noted that emergency energy response and preparedness should be an additional mission of the Department of Energy. The budget request for state energy assurance planning technical assistance and support is consistent with recommendations from the Quadrennial Energy Review.
The Secretary also reiterated the Administration’s commitment to the Clean Power Plan, in light of Tuesday’s Supreme Court decision, and noted that DOE will continue to work with states on plan development in the coming months.