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.
This DOE Office has been achieving DOGE’s stated mission of billion dollar savings for decades. Now government leaders may close its doors.
To fight the climate crises, we must do more than connect power plants to the grid: we need new policy frameworks and expanded coalitions to facilitate the rapid transformation of the electricity system.
The stakes are high: how we manage this convergence will influence not only the pace of technological innovation but also the equity and sustainability of our energy future.
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.
