Bill Overview
Title: Regional Clean Energy Innovation Act
Description: This bill requires the Department of Energy to establish an Office of Advanced Clean Energy Technologies to advance mid-stage and late-stage innovation, development, demonstration, and commercialization of clean energy technologies to further regional net-zero greenhouse gas emissions pathways.
Sponsors: Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals reliant on or affected by energy infrastructure, carbon emissions, and environmental health
Estimated Size: 330000000
- The bill advances regional clean energy technologies, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero levels.
- Such a transition affects individuals involved in energy generation, distribution, and consumption.
- Regions with significant fossil fuel reliance may experience substantial workforce changes, impacting workers in those industries.
- Clean energy sector workers will benefit from growth in their industry.
- Communities located near clean energy projects could experience economic and quality of life changes.
- General population benefits from improved air quality and environmental health due to reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Reasoning
- Considering an $800 million budget ceiling in the first year limits the immediate scope of impact.
- Industries highly dependent on fossil fuels might face negative changes initially, but clean energy sectors will see growth.
- People in regions already transitioning to clean energy are likely to benefit sooner.
- Workers in clean energy sectors are likely to experience job security and professional growth.
- Individuals in economically diverse regions may see balanced impacts.
- Policy's benefits extend to general environmental improvements, which marginally elevate overall wellbeing even among those not directly impacted economically.
- The commonness score reflects the variety of regions and individual circumstances.
Simulated Interviews
Petrochemical Engineer (Houston, TX)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad the government is investing in clean energy, but I'm worried about my job security.
- If the transition affects my company, it could mean layoffs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Renewable Energy Consultant (New York, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is an excellent step forward and will boost my work.
- I'm optimistic about more policies like this promoting sustainable growth.
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 |
Solar Technician (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This initiative will bring more projects and job security.
- I'm thrilled about the prospects of clean energy becoming more mainstream.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 10 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 8 |
Coal Miner (Charleston, WV)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies like this worry me because they speed up the decline of coal without offering immediate alternatives for people like me.
- I hope there are plans to reskill older workers, but I'm skeptical.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Environmental Scientist (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 40 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a good step for long-term environmental quality and I'm excited about the data that will emerge from these projects.
- The policy promotes regional changes that positively impact the health of communities.
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 | 10 | 7 |
Mechanical Engineering Student (Detroit, MI)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Such policies make me hopeful that more opportunities will be available when I graduate.
- They show a commitment to a sustainable future, which is important for my generation.
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 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Small Business Owner (Baton Rouge, LA)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support clean energy measures but hope small businesses aren't disproportionately burdened.
- The region needs sustainable solutions that include local businesses in their plans.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Tech Startup Founder (Portland, OR)
Age: 30 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies like this align with our mission and provide great opportunities for startups to collaborate with the government.
- I'm excited about potential partnerships and innovation this could spur.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 10 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 8 |
City Planner (Chicago, IL)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy complements our urban development goals and is great news for developing sustainable communities.
- The department's initiative could significantly boost regional planning capabilities.
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 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Wind Farm Technician (Denver, CO)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy strengthening clean energy tech is crucial for my job and encourages more exploration into long-term solutions.
- I support this fully as it sustains my field and opens more doors for growth.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 10 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $800000000 (Low: $700000000, High: $900000000)
Year 2: $800000000 (Low: $700000000, High: $900000000)
Year 3: $800000000 (Low: $700000000, High: $900000000)
Year 5: $800000000 (Low: $700000000, High: $900000000)
Year 10: $800000000 (Low: $700000000, High: $900000000)
Year 100: $800000000 (Low: $700000000, High: $900000000)
Key Considerations
- Uncertainty around the pace of technology adoption in different regions.
- Dependency on current and future legislation impacting renewables.
- Potential opposition from stakeholders in the fossil fuel industry.
- Risks and opportunities associated with global clean energy market trends.