BPC Action Applauds Sens. Murkowski (R-AK) and Manchin (D-WV) for Bipartisan Introduction of American Energy Innovation Act of 2020 in Energy and Environment

The Bipartisan Policy Center commends Senate Energy Committee Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Ranking Member Joe Manchin (D-WV) for introducing the American Energy Innovation Act of 2020, a landmark piece of legislation representing a down-payment on the innovation necessary to decarbonize our energy sector and modernize our nation’s energy policies. American ingenuity and innovation have dramatically transformed our energy landscape. Because of continued federal support for innovation, today’s energy supply is increasingly diverse, secure, abundant, and clean, creating a host of significant economic, environmental, and security benefits for Americans.“

This bill leverages the strength of the American energy sector to chart a path that embraces technological progress to create a new foundation for U.S. economic growth. It supports further development of key technologies, including carbon capture, utilization and storage; carbon removal; advanced nuclear; energy storage; renewables; and the technologies necessary to decarbonize the industrial and transportation sectors. Importantly, the bill supports the reauthorization and growth of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Energy, or ARPA-E, which has demonstrated remarkable progress in creating the next generation of energy technologies. Further, it will improve the commercialization and technology transfer functions of the Department of Energy.

This legislation represents a year’s worth of deliberation by the Senate Energy Committee, reflecting agreements forged through a determined, deliberative and bipartisan process. The Committee held numerous hearings and this bill incorporates more than 50 energy-related measures considered and individually reported by the committee.

Sens. Murkowski and Manchin should be commended for their commitment to the democratic process and for promoting the best interests of our nation. It has been over a decade since Congress last passed an energy bill, and we need an updated plan to maintain our global energy leadership and put us on a path toward mitigating the risks of climate change.