Chamber Study: After 2 years, Landmark Energy Initiatives Not Implemented; Agencies Claim Lack of Funding

WASHINGTON, D.C.—A new study published by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce finds that a significant number of the nearly 70 new energy technology and efficiency directives contained in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct05) are unfunded, under-funded, or simply not implemented at all.

"EPAct05 was the most comprehensive rewrite of the nation's energy policy in more than 70 years, said Bill Kovacs, Chamber vice president for Environment, Technology and Regulatory Affairs. "The broad nature of the technology provisions of EPAct05 provided a long-term, solid path forward that could lead to major breakthroughs in new energy technologies that would impact what kind of energy we use and how we reduce CO2."

The Chamber recently published EPAct05: Enactment+2, an assessment of selected technology and efficiency directives within this landmark legislation as part of its efforts to evaluate federal implementation activities on the various provisions in the Act. The Chamber supports full implementation of these programs and even created the Emerging Technologies Committee to monitor these efforts.

Chamber staff contacted agency officials, staff, and managers of these energy technology programs to determine the progress of each program, and found that programs requiring an agency to draft guidance or standards have generally been met. Programs that are self-implementing such as the Clean Renewable Energy Bonds program and the clean coal technologies investment tax credit program have been successful to date.

The report also finds, however, that a variety of initiatives requiring funds for research and development activities—including many programs designed to develop the technologies mandated by EPAct05—are either non-starters or behind schedule.

"The overall purpose of this study is to report on the status of the various technologies, not to criticize government agencies as implementation may be based on numerous factors, the primary one being funding," said Kovacs. "Our hope is that those interested in developing new energy technologies will use the information in this report to contact government officials responsible for developing their technology of interest to explain the nation's need for that technology and push for its development."

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation, representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

The study can be viewed at: /publications/reports/0709epact05

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