Anthresia McWashington

U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm said the U.S. government is ready to join forces with the private sector, citing the nearly $62 B in grant funding for industry partners under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law during a luncheon at the CERAWeek conference in Houston. 

“We’re ready to partner with the private sector through the $62 billion that Congress just gave us in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Most of that funding is going out through competitive grants...and we’re eager to receive your best and most innovative ideas,” said Granholm. 

Granholm also placed emphasis on clean fuels and the importance of deploying cleaner energy as soon as possible. 

“I’m here to tell you that the Department of Energy, and the entire Biden administration, is ready to work with you to seize the opportunity of clean energy,” said Granholm. “That means we have to deploy clean technologies as fast as possible—but we’re under no illusion that every American will get an EV or a heat pump tomorrow or next month or next year.”

In addition, Granholm mentioned support for efficient permitting and the launch of the Net Zero Producers Forum, which brings together the energy ministries of the U.S., Canada, Norway, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia in efforts to develop net-zero emissions strategies. 

Granholm added that now is an opportune time for the industry to strive towards cleaner energy and improved energy security.

“I hope we’ll look back at 2022 as the year the world took giant steps to improve energy security and tackle climate change.”