DOE External Affairs Update - July 15, 2020

SECRETARY BROUILLETTE MEETS WITH INDEPENDENT OIL PRODUCERS IN TEXAS 

On July 10th, Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette and Under Secretary of Energy Mark Menezes held a roundtable discussion in Houston, TX with independent oil producers. They discussed the impacts of COVID-19 on the industry, and actions the Trump Administration is taking to provide assistance.

Read Secretary Brouillette’s summary of his trip and how Texas will help power the post-pandemic economic comeback. 

DOE ISSUES LNG EXPORT APPROVAL TO JORDAN COVE

On July 6th, Secretary Brouillette announced a final long-term order authorizing the export of domestically produced liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the proposed Jordan Cove LNG Terminal in Coos Bay, Oregon. Expanding opportunities for U.S. LNG abroad has been a top priority for President Trump and Secretary Brouillette. This infrastructure project will create jobs and provide greater access for U.S. LNG to growing markets around the world.

The U.S. is currently in its fourth consecutive year as a net exporter of natural gas, and it has quickly become one of the top global exporters of LNG. If built to its authorized capacity, the Jordan Cove LNG Terminal, including the Pacific Connector Pipeline, is expected to create over 6,000 jobs during peak construction and may generate up to $100 million in state and local tax revenue annually.  

Read more about the Jordan Cove LNG Terminal and “What they’re saying” here.

SECRETARY BROUILLETTE SPEAKS AT THE IEA CLEAN ENERGY TRANSITIONS SUMMIT

On July 9th, Secretary Brouillette participated in the International Energy Administration (IEA) Clean Energy Transitions Summit. Ministers from countries representing the vast majority of global GDP, energy use, and greenhouse gas emissions gathered around a virtual table to discuss measures to boost economies, create jobs, reduce global emissions, and make energy systems more resilient.

Secretary Brouillette spoke about the United States’ effective competitive energy approach. He also highlighted the success this transparent and innovative approach has had on growing the U.S. economy while simultaneously leading the world in reducing energy-related carbon emissions.

Watch his remarks during the closing plenary here.

SECRETARY BROUILLETTE TESTIFIES ON CAPITOL HILL

On July 14th, Secretary Brouillette testified in front of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Energy. He discussed DOE efforts in response to COVID-19. Click here for a copy of the Secretary’s written testimony, and click here for a link to watch the hearing. 

OP-EDS

Keeping Critical Infrastructure Safe: In an op-ed in The Plain Dealer, Secretary Brouillette explained President Trump’s executive order to secure power systems will keep Ohio’s critical infrastructure safe.

Powering a Comeback: In his op-ed in the Houston Chronicle, Secretary Brouillette explained how COVID-19 brought oil and gas down, but the Trump administration is powering a comeback, and DOE is supporting this recovery through fundamental research and development that will advance our technical progress and support private sector innovation.

UPCOMING EVENTS

See The Light: The National Synchrotron Light Source and Other Tools of Discovery: A DOE webinar on July 23 at 1:00 p.m. EDT will explore how the private sector research community can access and leverage advanced research facilities operated by DOE’s Office of Science, such as synchrotron light sources and nanoscience centers across the country. This event is part of the Office of Technology Transitions Summer 2020 Webinar Series. Register here.

ALL-OF-THE-ABOVE ENERGY NEWS

Securing the U.S. Bulk Power System:  DOE is seeking information to understand the energy industry's current practices to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities in the supply chain for components of the bulk-power system. This comes in response to President Trump’s May 1st Executive Order “Securing the United States Bulk-Power System. A new request for information (RFI) is posted in the Federal Register. DOE invites all interested parties to submit in writing by August 7, 2020, comments and information on matters addressed in this RFI.

Small Business Research and Development Grants: DOE recently announced that it will award 105 grants totaling $116 million to 92 small businesses in 31 states. Small businesses play a major role in spurring innovation and creating jobs in the U.S. economy. The SBIR and STTR programs were created by Congress to leverage small businesses to advance innovation at federal agencies

Energy Storage Grand Challenge Roadmap: DOE released the Energy Storage Grand Challenge Draft (ESGC) Roadmap and a Request for Information (RFI). The ESGC is a comprehensive program to create and sustain U.S. global leadership in energy storage utilization and exports, with a secure domestic manufacturing base and supply chain that is independent of foreign sources of critical materials. DOE is requesting information from stakeholders to inform the suite of activities proposed in the Draft Roadmap through a formal RFI. Responses are due August 21, 2020.

Energy Frontier Research Centers: DOE announced $100 million in funding for ten Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRCs) to accelerate the scientific breakthroughs needed to build a twenty-first-century energy economy and strengthen U.S. economic leadership and energy security. These centers will help to accelerate scientific discovery and understanding in energy-relevant fields: materials and chemistry for microelectronics and quantum information science, chemical upcycling of polymers, and environmental management.

Building Research Capabilities in Underserved Regions: DOE recently announced $21 million in funding for 31 research projects under the federal Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). Under the DOE program, university researchers from EPSCoR states partner with researchers at DOE National Laboratories on topics of common interest. Subjects include fundamental research in chemistry and materials science, advancing solar energy and battery technologies, studies in particle physics, and other areas.

Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program: DOE recently welcomed the latest cohort in our Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Programs. The 20 selected researchers will leverage the National Laboratories’ expert mentorship and world-class facilities over the next two years to advance their energy and manufacturing technologies from concepts to products.

High Energy Physics Research: DOE announced $132 million in funding for 64 university research awards on a range of topics in high energy physics to advance knowledge of how the universe works at its most fundamental level.

New Advanced Manufacturing Hydropower Prize: DOE launched the Innovations in Advanced Manufacturing for Hydropower (I AM Hydro) Prize, a new competition designed to leverage the power of advanced manufacturing to address some of hydropower’s most critical challenges.

Things Netflix Got Wrong about Nuclear Power:  Netflix recently released a new documentary series called History 101. Each episode provides viewers a brief history lesson on a variety of hot-button topics, including nuclear power. While providing an entertaining take on a crucial industry, there were a few inaccuracies that we feel need to be addressed. Here are 5 things Netflix got wrong about nuclear power.

COVID-19 RESOURCES 

On June 29th, DOE Headquarters transitioned to Phase 2 of its return to full operations. For information about the reopening status of specific Labs, Plants, and Sites, please consult their respective websites. Find out more details on the DOE COVID-19 webpage.

Thank you for reading. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or if we can serve as a resource. 

Sincerely,

 Mike Pasko

Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary, Intergovernmental & External Affairs

U.S. Department of Energy