The Senate Must Pull Energy Innovation Policy Back From the Brink
As the Senate takes up debate on the federal budget, proposed cuts to the Department of Energy threaten to derail decades of bipartisan investment in energy innovation. Slashing support for programs like ARPA-E, the national labs, and the Loan Programs Office would stall the development and commercialization of advanced nuclear, geothermal, and other next-gen energy technologies—undermining U.S. competitiveness just as China races ahead.
As Robin Gaster and David Hart write in Real Clear Energy, federal energy R&D is essential for bridging the gap between lab research and commercial adoption. It attracts private investment, builds critical infrastructure, and keeps the U.S. at the forefront of global clean energy innovation. Gutting these programs now would not only set back progress but risk ceding leadership to Beijing.
