Energy

Granholm backs wind and solar in Biden bid to decarbonize electricity


Energy Secretary Jennifer GranholmJennifer GranholmOvernight Energy: Update on Biden administration conservation goals | GOP sees opportunity to knock Biden amid rising gas prices | Push for nationwide electric vehicle charging stations Overnight Energy: Republicans request documents on Kerry’s security clearance process| EPA official directs agency to ramp up enforcement in overburdened communities | Meet Flint prosecutor Kym Worthy Any reduction in Energy Department’s cybersecurity resources a mistake MORE backed wind and solar energy as likely to give the biggest “bang for your buck” as part of the Biden administration’s bid to decarbonize the electric sector during a House hearing Thursday. 

During an Appropriations Committee hearing on Thursday, which was slated to examine the Biden administration’s proposal for the Energy Department’s budget, Rep. Derek KilmerDerek Christian KilmerModerate Democrats press for auto-stabilizers in COVID-19 aid package House Democrat says federal workforce recovering from ‘a lot of harm’ under Trump The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden: Focus on vaccine, virus, travel MORE (D-Wash.) what would be the most cost-effective clean energy technology and if the department planned to prioritize specific energy sources. 

“You love all of your children, all of your renewable energy and clean energy technologies, but I do think in terms of the biggest bang for your buck, I think research will demonstrate that it still is in solar and wind,” Granholm responded. 

“Our focus will be both on doing the research that’s necessary but also now on deploying,” she added, specifically citing the department’s loan office that helps fund various types of energy technology. 

President BidenJoe BidenCaitlyn Jenner on Hannity touts Trump: ‘He was a disruptor’ Argentina launches ‘Green Mondays’ campaign to cut greenhouse gases On The Money: Federal judge vacates CDC’s eviction moratorium | Biden says he’s open to compromise on corporate tax rate | Treasury unsure of how long it can stave off default without debt limit hike MORE has said that he wants the electric-sector to be free of carbon emissions by 2035, and in his infrastructure plan, said he hopes to do so by setting a clean electricity standard that’ll mandate such a transition. 

During the hearing, Granholm also expressed openness to subsidizing nuclear energy plants. 

“We’re not going to be able to achieve our climate goals if our nuclear power plants shut down, we have to find ways to keep them operating,” she said. 

“This question of some direct subsidy or some way to support these plants to stay open, that’s still an open question, but I know that this administration would be eager to work with Congress on it,” the official added. 

Asked about alternatives to a controversial nuclear waste repository in Nevada called Yucca Mountain, Granholm said that the department was “moving forward” to developing an approach to find a consent-based interim storage facility. 

“The possible steps…include requests for information, engaging with stakeholders and tribal governments, establishing a funding mechanism for interested communities, organizations, maybe tribal governments to explore the concept,” she said, adding that the department hopes to announce next steps “in the coming months.”





READ NEWS SOURCE

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.