ACORE Statement on Trump Administration’s Proposed Budget Cut to Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)

Statement by Gregory Wetstone, ACORE President and Chief Executive Officer

 

WASHINGTON, May 24, 2017 – “We believe the proposed budget cuts to the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) would seriously jeopardize America’s leadership position in cutting-edge research on new energy technologies and harm our overall competitiveness in a rapidly growing global industry that presents a multi-trillion-dollar business opportunity.

 

EERE has been and continues to be a fundamental pillar in the dramatic growth story of the U.S. renewable energy sector, which garnered nearly $100 billion in private sector investment over the past two years, and today employs more than 800,000 Americans.

EERE and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), which receives approximately 80 percent of its funding from EERE, have provided transformational research and development on a number of important electric power innovations. NREL in particular has secured more than 100 patents and been the source of technological breakthroughs that have improved productivity and reduced the costs of wind turbines, solar panels, geothermal systems, biofuels, electric vehicles, and energy storage systems. NREL has also been a critical partner for the private sector through hundreds of technology partnerships, which help reduce private sector risk in early-stage technologies.”

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About ACORE
The American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to providing value to the renewable energy industry through market development, policy changes, and financial innovation. With hundreds of member companies from across the spectrum of renewable energy technologies, consumers, and investors, ACORE is uniquely positioned to promote the policies and financial structures essential to growth in the renewable energy sector. The organization’s annual conferences in Washington, D.C., New York and San Francisco set the industry standard in providing important venues for key leaders to meet, discuss recent developments, and hear the latest from senior government officials and seasoned experts. For more information, visit the ACORE website and follow @ACORE on Twitter.

Media Contact
Gil Jenkins, ACORE
jenkins@acore.org
202-777-7584