Energy Policy Legislative Update

Tom Schneider of the IEEE-USA Energy Policy Committee provided an excellent overview of challenges and opportunities within the energy realm through a critical policy lens. He was joined by Bill Williams who presented an overview of the energy-related mandates of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Schnieder began by pointing out that there is an unprecedented dual challenge before us today—that of global climate change and simultaneous addiction to foreign oil. These challenges have proven to be a threat to the country’s economy, national security, and environmental health.

IEEE-USA, according to Schneider, has risen to assist tackling these challenges. Through its position statements, the IEEE-USA Energy Policy Committee has recommended a significant increase in energy efficiency, breaking of the oil addiction by transforming transportation, development of a green electric power supply, and construction of a stronger and smarter electrical energy infrastructure. Breaking the nation’s addiction to oil will, of course, take considerable work. Schneider envisions this goal being accomplished through the electrification of transportation systems and the widespread development and use of alternative transportation fuels. The green electric power supply, Schneider maintained, must be composed of advanced nuclear power, extensive development of renewable energies, and the advancement and deployment of carbon capture technologies.

The future looks bright, according to Schneider, who pointed to the likely upcoming Energy Policy Act of 2009, expected from the Senate and House, and the Obama Administration’s plans to roll out a Climate Change Cap and Trade program which may take final form in 2010.


Bill Williams, also of the IEEE-USA Energy Policy Committee, joined Schneider by discussing the energy-related sections of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). IEEE-USA, according to Williams, really got out in front of the issues contained in the new act, showing the organization’s devotion to energy, engineering, and the environment. ARRA, passed on 13 February 2009 and signed by President Obama on 17 February, contains $41 billion for energy initiatives. Importantly ARRA contained the language necessary to ensure that proper appropriations would be allocated where due, leading Williams to excitedly predict that, unlike past legislation, ARRA would accomplish great things. Included in ARRA were $4.4 billion for modernization of the grid, $100 million for electricity grid worker training, $3.2 billion for efficiency and conservation block grants, $2billion for advanced batteries, $500 million for biofuels, $3.1 billion for state energy programs, and many other big-ticket appropriations and mandates.

As Williams admitted, “it is a very exciting time to be doing energy policy on Capitol Hill”. With the opportunities discussed by Schneider in combination with the review of appropriations by Williams, one would be hard pressed to argue that it is not an exciting time. Indeed, the years ahead will bring electrifying opportunities to those in the energy realm and to members of IEEE.