EPAct05 -- Enactment +3: An Assessment of Selected Technology and Efficiency Directives of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007

Download the report (PDF)

Executive Summary

On August 8, 2005, President Bush signed the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct05) into law. The most comprehensive rewrite of the nation's energy policy in more than 70 years, it covered almost every aspect of energy policy, from incentives for the development of energy resources and infrastructure to energy efficiency. One of EPAct05's most ambitious goals was to focus on the development of many new and emerging energy technologies.

A second energy bill, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA), became law on December 19, 2007. EISA was an omnibus energy policy law designed to increase energy efficiency and the availability of renewable energy. Its stated goal is to increase our energy security, expand the production of renewable fuels, and make America stronger, safer and cleaner for future generations.

EPAct05 and EISA together contain over 130 provisions that require federal agencies to undertake research, development and demonstration of new technologies, to engage in public/private partnerships, or to make available financial incentives to the private sector for the development of these new energy technologies, which range from hydrogen and fuel cells to biofuels to clean coal.

It has been the consistent position of the U.S. Chamber that this nation must actively work to develop new technologies to either capture carbon emissions or produce energy without carbon emissions if it is to seriously address climate change and develop new sources of energy. The broad nature of the technology provisions of EPAct05 and EISA provided long-term, solid paths forward that could lead to major breakthroughs in new energy technologies. Therefore, the U.S. Chamber supported, and continues to support, full implementation of these programs. The U.S. Chamber's Emerging Technologies Committee was created in response to the passing of EPAct05 and to monitor implementation efforts.

As part of the U.S. Chamber's monitoring activities, EPAct05: Enactment +1 and +2 were created to identify various technologies and track their implementation. The overall purpose of EPAct05: Enactment +3 and EISA is to enumerate the authorizations granted in both bills and the appropriations allotted to fund them. One aspect of implementation is clear: a significant number of the 70+ new energy technology and efficiency directives listed in EPAct05 are unfunded, underfunded, or simply not implemented at all. The additional 60+ initiatives in EISA may face a similar fate.

The U.S. Chamber, the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region, strongly supports full funding and implementation of the technology provisions contained in EPAct05 and EISA.

William L. Kovacs
Vice President
Environment, Technology & Regulatory Affairs
U.S. Chamber of Commerce