Bill Overview
Title: Cost-Share Accountability Act of 2022
Description: This bill requires the Department of Energy to report on the use of its authority to reduce or eliminate the cost-sharing requirements for its research, development, demonstration, and commercial application program or activities under the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
Sponsors: Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-8]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals involved in energy research, development, and commercialization
Estimated Size: 1000000
- The bill targets the Department of Energy's programs under the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
- Those most directly impacted will be individuals and organizations involved in research, development, demonstration, and commercial applications of energy-related projects.
- Researchers, developers, and businesses engaged in energy projects could benefit from reduced cost-sharing, potentially enabling more innovation and participation.
- Indirect impacts would extend to consumers and industries relying on advancements in energy technology, which could improve energy efficiency, cost, and sustainability.
Reasoning
- The policy directly impacts those involved in energy-related research and commercialization, reducing financial barriers for innovations.
- With the limited budget, only a subset of stakeholders will experience direct benefits, especially in the short term.
- Indirect benefits include eventual enhancements in energy technologies reaching consumers and businesses.
- Some in the target audience may witness a moderate improvement in their ability to engage in energy projects due to reduced cost-sharing requirements.
- We are simulating a variety of perspectives to understand the range of likely impacts, from those significantly benefitting to those relatively unaffected.
- Considering budget constraints, not all potential applicants will receive assistance, leading to a varied impact distribution.
Simulated Interviews
Renewable Energy Researcher (Austin, TX)
Age: 58 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy has the potential to boost my research capabilities significantly by alleviating some financial burdens.
- If successful, it could enhance our ability to innovate and contribute meaningfully to the energy sector.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Energy Startup CEO (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This initiative would help us allocate more funds towards development rather than cost-sharing.
- It may nurture more robust partnerships and innovation within 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 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Energy Consultant (Houston, TX)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Unlikely to experience direct effects from this policy, as my work focuses on consulting rather than development.
- However, broader improvements in energy technologies could eventually benefit my clients.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
University Professor (Raleigh, NC)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could potentially make energy research more accessible to smaller institutions.
- Its impact might be limited by the budget, but any support can help foster innovation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Independent Renewable Energy Inventor (Portland, OR)
Age: 39 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Greater access to cost-free or reduced-cost sharing could dramatically improve project feasibility.
- However, competition for funding under this policy will be fierce, leading to uncertainty.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 2 |
Automotive Engineer (Detroit, MI)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I expect indirect benefits through advancements in energy tech that this policy could promote.
- The actual impact on my work might take years to materialize.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Energy Sector Project Manager (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy's long-term benefits could facilitate collaborative projects that reduce overall cost.
- Real impacts might not be immediately observable due to funding scope limitations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Graduate Student in Energy Sciences (Chicago, IL)
Age: 27 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy might help my transition from academia to commercialization by reducing initial costs.
- Increased funding opportunities could lead to more innovation-friendly environments.
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 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Environmental NGO Worker (Boston, MA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our organization might advocate for more comprehensive implementations of similar policies.
- The medium to long-term promise could align with our mission, fostering public support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Energy Policy Analyst (Denver, CO)
Age: 53 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a step in the right direction for promoting energy development, but requires larger funding commitments to realize its full potential.
- Will be interesting to analyze the longer-term outcomes of such policies on innovation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $2000000 (Low: $1500000, High: $3000000)
Year 2: $2000000 (Low: $1500000, High: $3000000)
Year 3: $2000000 (Low: $1500000, High: $3000000)
Year 5: $2000000 (Low: $1500000, High: $3000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The primary purpose of this bill is to enhance transparency and accountability concerning cost-sharing reductions in energy projects.
- The administrative costs are expected to remain stable over the time period without significant increases or decreases unless the scope of reporting is adjusted.
- Long-term impacts on energy project participation or innovation are outside the direct scope of this bill's fiscal implications.