David M. Hart
David M. Hart is a senior fellow with ITIF’s Center for Clean Energy Innovation and a professor of public policy at George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government. Hart is a former director of the Center and a former member of ITIF’s board.
Hart has authored numerous ITIF reports and related publications, including “More and Better” in 2020, “Clean and Competitive” in 2021, and “Climate Innovation Policy from Glasgow to Pittsburgh” in 2022. He co-authored Energizing America (Columbia University Center for Global Energy Policy, 2020) and Unlocking Energy Innovation (MIT Press, 2012). His work contributed significantly to the establishment of the Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstration in 2021 and Congress’s authorization of the Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation in 2022.
In 2011 and 2012, Hart served as assistant director for innovation policy at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, where he focused on advanced-manufacturing issues. Hart has written on a wide range of topics in science, technology, and innovation policy. His other books include The Emergence of Entrepreneurship Policy (Cambridge University Press, 2009), and Forged Consensus: Science, Technology, and Economic Policy in the U.S., 1929–1953 (Princeton University Press, 2010).He earned his Ph.D. in political science from MIT in 1995.
Research Areas:
Recent Publications
Midterm Outlook for Energy Innovation Policy
The next Congress will have to wrestle with competing energy and climate innovation policy priorities. But despite their differences, the two parties will have potential opportunities for bipartisan collaboration.
Decarbonizing the Chemical Industry: Policy Insights From a Case Study of PVC
A recent first-of-its-kind study of the value chain for polyvinyl chloride production in the United States provides valuable insights into the types and sequencing of policies that will be required to decarbonize chemical production.
Climate Innovation Policy From Glasgow to Pittsburgh
In September, ministers will gather in Pittsburgh to consider how their governments should respond to the energy and climate innovation imperative. Building on Glasgow, the meeting should strive to fill critical gaps in areas such as capital-intensive demonstration projects and innovation-friendly trade in carbon-intensive goods.
The Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation: A Flexible New Tool to Build the Economy, Strengthen Science, and Fight Climate Change
In July 2022, Congress authorized DOE to establish and collaborate closely with a new non-profit Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation (FESI), an idea that the Center developed over the previous five years. ITIF is working to ensure that FESI gets off to a fast start and contributes to DOE’s vital missions right away.
Further Energizing Innovation in Fiscal Year 2023
The FY 2023 budget request signals America’s commitment to sustaining bipartisan momentum for clean energy innovation. Congress should seize this opportunity to accelerate domestic clean energy industries and shape the U.S. response to climate change.
Active Carbon Management: Critical Tools in the Climate Toolbox
Technologies to capture and store carbon must be part of the arsenal to fight climate change. To deploy them at scale, policymakers should expand federal incentives, increase RD&D for traditional and novel technologies, and expedite permitting and siting of requisite infrastructure.
First of Its Kind: Making DOE’s New Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations a Success
The U.S. Department of Energy’s new Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations is a tremendous step forward for innovation and must become a permanent fixture in the federal structure. DOE needs time right now to build up the new office systematically, and over the next few years its funding must grow rapidly, so that it can drive a steady stream of innovations ready to be scaled up nationally and globally.
Comments to the Department of Energy on Deployment and Demonstration Opportunities for Carbon Reduction and Removal Technologies
ITIF is pleased to submit the following comments to the Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Managements request for information regarding the opportunity for carbon capture and direct air capture technologies.
Innovation Uptake: The Final Frontier for Energy Policy
The Biden administration and Congress should adopt innovation uptake policies to ensure that the remarkable products of federal investment and American ingenuity are not left moldering on the shelf.
One Year Later, A Glass Half Full: Energy Innovation Under the Biden Administration
A year into the administration, the supply-push elements of the agenda have fared better than the demand-pull components. While a half-full glass is better than an empty one, only a full one will put the United States and the world on a path that will stop climate change.
Comments to OSTP and NTSC on How to Develop a National Strategic Plan for Advanced Manufacturing
In these comments, ITIF offers high-level and granular recommendations on how to formulate a strategic plan for advanced manufacturing, including emerging areas of science and technology to focus on, R&D priorities, public-private and regional partnerships, tech transfer, workforce skills, the manufacturing supply chain and industrial base, and useful models to expand.
Don’t Add Carbon Tariffs to the Growing List of Global Trade Tensions
Allies and partners like the United States, the EU, the United Kingdom, and Canada should avoid destabilizing trade frictions that threaten to derail much-needed climate progress and instead work toward a collaborative climate innovation club.
Recent Events and Presentations
Transforming the U.S. Department of Energy: Paving the Way to Commercialize Advanced Nuclear Energy
David M. Hart speaks with the Nuclear Innovation Alliance on the release of a new report, "Transforming the U.S. Department of Energy: Paving the Way to Commercialize Advanced Nuclear Energy."
3rd Gamechangers Luncheon: Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation
David M. Hart, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation and Kerry C. Duggan, SustainabiliD, will co-host the third "Gamechangers Luncheon" to discuss ideas for the forthcoming Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation (FESI).
2nd Gamechangers Luncheon: Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation
David M. Hart and Kerry C. Duggan (SustainabiliD) co-host the second "Gamechangers Luncheon" to discuss ideas for the forthcoming Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation (FESI).
Gamechangers Luncheon: Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation
David Hart and Kerry Duggan (SustainabiliD)will co-host a post-COP27 "Gamechangers Luncheon" to discuss ideas for the forthcoming Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation (FESI).
The Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation Presentation at the Association of University Research Parks
David M. Hart presents to the Association of University Research Parks in a discussion about the Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation, an important and vital new initiative that aims to accelerate innovation to support the global transition to low-carbon energy.
Impact of Recent Legislation on Energy and Climate Innovation Policy in the United States
David M. Hart spoke to the Science and Technology Policy Institute in South Korea, giving his presentation titled, "Impact of Recent Legislation on Energy and Climate Innovation Policy in the United States."
Mission Critical: Accelerating Innovation at COP 27
Watch thought leaders from ITIF, IIT-Delhi School of Public Policy, and the Climate Policy Lab at The Fletcher School, Tufts University share their visions for a successful COP for innovation, building off the September 12th forum published in Nature Energy.
Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation Presentation at Cleantech San Diego
David Hart presents to Cleantech San Diego members on ITIF's work to advance the mission and work of the Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation.
Decarbonizing Chemical Production: Innovation Strategies
Watch the webinar where we shared new work from ITIF, George Mason’s Center for Energy Science and Policy, and the Center for Houston’s Future that investigates these pathways and explores policy options to decarbonize chemical production.
Demo! Scalable and Replicable Demonstration Projects to Accelerate Decarbonization Worldwide
New frameworks and projects based on scalability and replicability are urgently needed to rapidly validate and commercialize innovative clean energy solutions, such as for smarter grids and hydrogen production.
Buying Power: How Federal Procurement Can Drive Clean Energy Innovation
Join ITIF for an expert panel discussion about a new report by ITIF board member and former DOD and GSA sustainability leader Dorothy Robyn.
Accelerating More Equitable EV Adoption Through Technological, Business Model, and Policy Innovation
ITIF’s Center for Clean Energy Innovation hosted an expert discussion on the findings and policy implications of a new report examining the connection between equity and innovation in the context of EVs.