Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm asserted on Wednesday that repealing the climate law would be “political malpractice” and emphasized the U.S.’s commitment to competing with China in the production of clean energy technologies such as solar panels, electric vehicles, and low-carbon steel. Speaking at the POLITICO Energy Summit in Washington, Granholm highlighted federal incentives and tax credits as essential tools for bolstering U.S. industry.
Granholm’s comments come amid the Biden administration’s efforts to distribute billions of dollars allocated for climate, energy, and infrastructure projects under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law. Despite the slow progress, with less than 20 percent of the authorized funding disbursed, Granholm pointed to ongoing developments such as the construction of new factories for electric cars and batteries.
She noted that while many projects are still in the groundbreaking phase, significant advancements are being made. The Department of Energy (DOE) is actively providing technical assistance to states for energy rebates, with further announcements expected this summer.
Granholm highlighted the economic impact of the Biden administration’s energy policies, citing $120 billion in clean energy investments and the creation of over 100,000 jobs. The DOE itself is managing nearly $100 billion in subsidies for projects related to hydrogen energy, carbon capture, battery storage, and other technologies.
She also called for congressional action to streamline permitting for energy projects, essential for expanding the electric grid to support new technologies. Granholm downplayed concerns about surging electricity demand, suggesting that technologies like virtual power plants could mitigate potential issues.
Regarding liquified natural gas (LNG) exports, Granholm confirmed that the DOE’s pause on new LNG export permits, initiated in January, is under review and expected to conclude early next year. This pause has been contentious, receiving praise from environmentalists and criticism from fossil fuel supporters.
Granholm expressed optimism about the future of electric vehicles (EVs) in the U.S., despite recent polling indicating limited public support for EV incentives. She reiterated the administration’s goal of having 50 percent of new cars sold by 2030 be electric vehicles, reflecting a bullish outlook on the transition to EVs.
Overall, Granholm’s remarks underscore the administration’s focus on advancing clean energy initiatives and maintaining competitive momentum against international rivals like China in the green technology sector.