U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) on Feb. 17 introduced bipartisan legislation that would require reporting regarding clean energy demonstration projects at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
The Clean Energy Demonstration Transparency Act of 2023, H.R. 1069, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Mike Carey (R-OH) and also cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), aims to improve transparency in such DOE projects by requiring the department to submit semiannual reports to Congress on the status of all demonstration activities managed by the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OECD).
“There have been instances in the past where demonstration projects have been mismanaged, creating serious risks to taxpayers,” said Rep. Lucas, chairman of the U.S. House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, which is considering the bill. “By requiring semiannual reports to Congress, this bill will add a level of transparency and accountability at the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, ensuring we can stop problems before they start.”
The OECD was established in 2021 by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which along with the Inflation Reduction Act appropriated more than $27 billion in funding for the office to accelerate clean energy development and manage demonstration projects, according to information provided by the lawmakers.
If enacted, H.R. 1069 would “further improve OCED by establishing reporting requirements so Congress can monitor the program’s progress and ensure Americans are able to reap the rewards of the significant clean energy research activities that it supports,” Rep. Lofgren said.