Energy is, quite simply, the lifeblood of both the world and domestic economies. The quest for more affordable and efficient sources of energy has never been more important. This quest also has massive ramifications for a planet that is currently warming at an alarming rate, especially when adoption of clean energy technologies is not happening on a wide enough scale to offset the environmental damage that comes with fossil fuel consumption. As the U.S. Department of Energy grapples with these challenges, it is also the largest federal sponsor of basic research in the physical sciences and acts as a major supporter of research in key scientific fields such as materials science, computing, and chemistry.
Against this backdrop, FAS works to support more efficient commercialization of energy decarbonization technologies, innovative research, and more effective deployment of smart energy policy. We also aim to help the agency source high-skilled talent and find more flexible ways to partner with the private sector.
The Trump administration has an opportunity to supercharge American energy dominance through MESC, but they must come together with Congressional leaders to permanently establish MESC and its mission.
DOE is already very well set up to pursue an energy dominance agenda for America. There’s simply no need to waste time conducting a large-scale agency reorganization.
While the National Labs have a strong workforce, they also face challenges that make it difficult to recruit and retain the people they need to continue leading the world’s scientific research.
If FESI is going to continue to receive Congressional appropriations through DOE, it should be structured from the start in a way that allows it to be as effective as possible while it receives both taxpayer dollars and private support.
