American Policy
Podcast episodes about American Policies
These are some podcast episodes focusing on policies in America that influence the energy transition.
Policy measures to support Direct Air Capture
Sasha Mackler is the director of the Energy Program at the Bipartisan Policy Center - a Washington, DC-based think tank. He has spent over 20 years in this field, including 10 years in the private sector working on carbon capture and biomass fuel supply. Mackler has managed a number of energy policy projects on topics such as tax incentives, federal RD&D, finance, workforce transition, carbon capture and storage, low carbon fuels, cap and trade, climate impacts and adaptation, and geoengineering research.
Policies play a crucial role in defining the environment in which technologies, such as direct air capture (DAC), can thrive or struggle. Several policy measures have been implemented in the United States in recent years to support DAC. One such policy is 45Q, a section of the US Internal Revenue Code that supports carbon capture and was enacted in 2008. The Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) is another policy measure, initially implemented in California in 2007, which aims to drive the use of clean fuels and includes DAC as a qualifying pathway for decarbonizing fuels. The Energy Act of 2020 authorized new programs for the US Department of Energy to support the demonstration and commercialization of advanced energy technologies, including DAC. Recently, The Inflation Reduction Act, adopted in August 2022, provides incentives for carbon capture, utilization, and storage projects.
US Climate Bill: $369 billion for the climate
The Inflation Reduction Act promises a $369 billion investment in climate action - the largest in U.S. history - and could drive significant emissions reductions. Its passing is both surprising, controversial, and full of compromises. To get the gist of it, we sat down with the founding editor of BusinessGreen.com, James Murray, who explains why he thinks the legislation's climate provisions will "turbocharge" US climate action.
Joe Biden's Infrastructure Bill and its influence on the Energy Transition
In late 2021, US President, Joe Biden signed a 1.2 trillion infrastructure bill in law, a key part of his agenda for the US' future economy, but also climate change mitigation. At that same time, NTNU adjunct professor Steven Gabriel from the University of Maryland paid us a visit. So naturally, I sat down to chat with him about this bill and what it could mean for the American Energy Transition.
U.S. Policies that influence the Energy Transition
There are several U.S. policies that influence the energy transition in the United States, including:
-
Federal and state renewable energy standards: Many states have adopted renewable energy standards that require a certain percentage of electricity to be generated from renewable sources. These standards can help to drive the adoption of renewable energy by providing a market for clean electricity.
-
Federal and state incentives for renewable energy: The U.S. government and some states offer a variety of incentives to encourage the deployment of renewable energy, such as tax credits, grants, and loan guarantees.
-
Federal and state regulations on carbon emissions: The U.S. government has adopted a number of regulations to reduce carbon emissions from the power sector, including the Clean Power Plan, which set limits on carbon dioxide emissions from power plants.
-
Federal and state support for research and development: The U.S. government and some states provide funding for research and development of renewable energy technologies, which can help to accelerate the development and deployment of these technologies.
-
Federal and state energy efficiency standards: The U.S. government and some states have adopted energy efficiency standards for buildings, appliances, and vehicles, which can help to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
-
Federal and state policies on land use and development: The U.S. government and some states have policies that influence how land is used and developed, including policies that support the development of renewable energy projects.
Overall, these policies can help to create a supportive environment for the energy transition and the adoption of renewable energy technologies in the United States.