Bill Overview
Title: Energizing Technology Transfer Act
Description: This bill provides support for the development of clean energy and related technology. For example, the bill requires the Office of Technology Transitions within the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a grant program for clean energy incubators that accelerate the commercial application of clean energy technologies. In addition, DOE must establish a Clean Energy Technology University Prize, under which students compete to develop business models for furthering the commercial application of innovative clean energy technologies.
Sponsors: Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]
Target Audience
Population: People reliant on or working in the energy sector
Estimated Size: 20000000
- The bill supports the development of clean energy and related technology, thus impacting populations working in or dependent on the energy sector.
- By providing grants for clean energy incubators, the bill will directly impact startups and small companies working on clean energy innovation.
- University students studying clean energy technologies will also be directly affected through the proposed Clean Energy Technology University Prize.
- The development and commercialization of clean energy technologies will indirectly benefit consumers who seek or currently use green energy solutions, contributing to a broader impact on the population concerned with environmental sustainability and climate change.
- Entrepreneurs and innovators in the clean energy space will benefit from increased support and potential funding through the grant program.
Reasoning
- The budget of the policy restricts the maximum reach and intensity of its potential impact. With $120 million in the first year, the policy can significantly focus on initial grants and support for incubators that might involve a few thousand participants directly.
- Considering the American target population is estimated at 20 million, the policy may affect a small fraction of this population initially. Over time, the broader commercialization and new technologies could indirectly impact more people, aligning with the ten-year budget.
- This diversity of the population in geography, occupation, and involvement with energy solutions suggests different degrees of impact, from university students likely benefiting from the prize to energy workers experiencing industry shifts.
- The policy focuses on innovation and transition within the clean energy sector and indirectly targets a large population concerned with climate-related initiatives, demanding proxies like educational institutions and startups as primary beneficiaries.
Simulated Interviews
Graduate Student (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm excited about the opportunity that this bill presents for students like me to make a real difference.
- The University Prize is a great incentive to push our projects beyond theoretical work into real-world applications.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Energy Sector Worker (Houston, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm concerned about how this policy might lead to job cuts in traditional energy sectors.
- There should be more focus on retraining workers to accommodate shifts in energy production.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Clean Energy Startup Entrepreneur (New York, NY)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Grants from this act could be transformational for startups like mine, taking us to the next level.
- It's encouraging to see governmental support for clean energy innovation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 7 |
Retired Environmental Scientist (Boulder, CO)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I'm retired, I see a great future for the next generations in terms of career possibilities in clean energy.
- It's essential to prioritize our climate concerns, and this policy seems a step in the right direction.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
University Professor (Raleigh, NC)
Age: 41 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hopeful that the University Prize will inspire more students to get involved in practical innovations.
- Support for incubators can bolster university-industry partnerships crucial for commercial advancements.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Automotive Engineer (Detroit, MI)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could expedite innovations in automotive technologies, especially in electric vehicles.
- Greater funding might lead to faster advancements and new products in the sector.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Urban Planner (Austin, TX)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Cleaner energy technologies are crucial for sustainable urban development.
- Grants provided can help integrate innovative solutions into city infrastructures.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Renewable Energy Consultant (Anchorage, AK)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This Act could open new markets for consulting on innovative technologies like wave energy.
- More funding for early-stage projects can diversify energy sources.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Small Business Owner (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Grants and incubators could help small businesses like mine grow and innovate.
- The focus on commercial application addresses one of our biggest hurdles: reaching broader markets.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Financial Analyst in Energy Sector (Chicago, IL)
Age: 26 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The act could shift market dynamics, increasing investments in clean tech.
- I'm optimistic about job roles evolving with more data-driven insights into sustainable practices.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $120000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $150000000)
Year 2: $125000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $160000000)
Year 3: $130000000 (Low: $105000000, High: $165000000)
Year 5: $140000000 (Low: $110000000, High: $180000000)
Year 10: $160000000 (Low: $130000000, High: $200000000)
Year 100: $250000000 (Low: $200000000, High: $300000000)
Key Considerations
- Innovation in clean energy is critical to addressing climate change and fulfilling international commitments to reduce emissions.
- Long-term societal benefits from reduced environmental impacts and enhanced energy security should be weighed against upfront costs.
- Future technological breakthroughs may disrupt current energy market dynamics, affecting policy relevance.