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US seeks funding for anti-coal agenda

THE US Department of Energy has announced it will set up a Clean Energy Impact Investment Centre ...

Anthony Barich
US seeks funding for anti-coal agenda

The aim of CAP, launched in 2013, is to reduce carbon emissions from the power sector by 30% of 2005 levels by 2030. The power sector is responsible for a third of US emissions.

The White House launched the Clean Energy Investment Initiative in February to catalyse expanded private sector investment in climate change solutions, including innovative technologies to reduce carbon pollution.

In 2013, President Barack Obama began an initiative to end public financing for new coal-fired power plants overseas, except in rare circumstances and the White House says that other nations – including the UK, the Netherlands, and the Nordic countries – have followed the US in joining the initiative.

Earlier this month, a federal court dismissed a lawsuit by America’s largest coal companies and 14 coal-producing states that sought to block one of Obama’s signature climate change policies.

Murray Energy challenged the EPA’s proposed rule to reduce global warming greenhouse gas emissions from power plants which, if enacted, would shutter hundreds of such plants, freeze construction of future plants and slow demand for coal production in the US.

“Financing is an important component to success of the CAP. Mission-driven investors – such as foundations, university endowments, and institutional investors – can play an important role in providing an additional source of capital for the transition to a low-carbon economy,” the White House said on Tuesday.

The White House said the Investment Centre would, among other things, provide a single point of access for information.

“Through dedicated, accessible internet and staff resources, the centre will make information about DOE programs accessible and more understandable to the public, including to mission-driven investors,” the White House said.

“The centre may also provide connections to points of contact and subject matter experts within relevant DOE programs.”

The centre will also share research and analysis produced by DOE and its National Laboratories on relevant developments in clean energy technology and will also offer a mechanism for identifying the need for new technology analysis from DOE.

The DOE currently has programs including the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR), and others that help to fund and accelerate emerging early-stage technology projects and companies.

The centre will aggregate and make available existing, public information on entities currently engaged in partnerships with DOE.

The centre will include information about energy and climate programs at other government agencies, including the Department of Agriculture, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Transportation, Environmental Protection Agency, National Science Foundation, Small Business Administration, and the Treasury Department.

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