Print Congressman Lipinski Earns Multiple Clean Energy Victories as Energy Package Passes House

Press Release

Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-03) today helped pass the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act (H.R. 4447) that contained several key energy innovation provisions authored by Rep. Lipinski.
"I've long been a champion of technological innovation especially when it comes to the clean energy, so I'm proud to have contributed four provisions to this bill which is designed to dramatically transform our energy sector," said Congressman Lipinski. "In addition to protecting the environment, this legislation offers programs to help jumpstart the clean energy economy and create good-paying American jobs. I am hopeful that the House and Senate will come together before the end of the year to reach a compromise between the energy bills coming out of each chamber and we can pass this into law."

The Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act is a major investment in the development of renewable energy resources such as solar, wind, geothermal, and hydroenergy, and encourages development of novel energy technologies. The bill preserves and expands proven energy efficiency programs that reduce emissions while saving money for consumers and businesses. The bill would also allocate $40 billion for car, truck, and bus electrification to reduce transportation emissions. Provisions authored by Congressman Lipinski are designed to spur innovation in the energy sector through targeted funding and engagement with academia and industry.

Key provisions in Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act authored by Congressman Lipinski

Energy I-Corps (Section 8104): First introduced by Congressman Lipinski as the Energy Innovation Corps Act (H.R.7934), the provision authorizes and expands the Department of Energy's Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program. The I-Corps program which began at the National Science Foundation has a decade-long track record of success in helping researchers turn their discoveries into new innovative products. The provision in this bill will provide energy innovators, including those at Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois' Third Congressional District, with entrepreneurial skills training to help them rapidly transition research into commercializable products and services, including clean energy technologies, advanced manufacturing techniques, and new tools to further scientific advancement.
Climate Solutions Challenges (Section 3114): This section is based on major provisions from the bipartisan Challenges & Prizes for Climate Act of 2019 (H.R. 3100) introduced by Congressman Lipinski. It authorizes the Department of Energy (DOE) to issue challenges to academic and industry researchers to develop technologies that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with fossil fuel combustion. Example solutions may include technologies to capture carbon emissions or to convert carbon emissions to beneficial products. Under the proposed law, DOE may offer prizes for challenge winners including cash, special access to government research facilities, or market agreements
Geothermal Heating (Section 2545): A provision spearheaded by Congressman Lipinski in the Advanced Geothermal Research and Development Act (H.R. 5374) directs DOE to support a research, development, and demonstration program into geothermal heat pumps and the direct use of geothermal energy. The program would support investigation and development of new geothermal technologies for building-scale energy storage, seasonal energy storage, and heating for neighborhoods and large commercial buildings. Illinois' abundant groundwater resources and cold winters are ideal conditions for direct use geothermal energy.
Low-dose Radiation Research: The House also passed an amendment to the package offered by Congressman Lipinski directing the Department of Energy to conduct a research program to study health impacts of low levels of radiation. Findings from this research will impact advances in fields including medical imaging, nuclear energy, radioactive waste clean-up, space exploration, and basic scientific research.
The package also includes a number of bills supported by Congressman Lipinski for their potential to spur clean energy development and job creation across the U.S., including reauthorization of the Advanced Research Projects Agency -- Energy (ARPA-E) to support early-stage energy technologies with high potential, the Better Energy Storage Technologies (BEST) Act to promote new energy storage technologies, and the Clean Industrial Technology Act of 2019 to decrease emissions from manufacturing and other industrial sectors.

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