EPA and U.S. Department of Energy Join Forces to Support Reliable Electricity

In March of 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) signed a joint memorandum of understanding (MOU) to support new clean energy opportunities that will foster access to reliable, affordable electricity. The goal of this signing is to help advance the country toward the Biden-Harris administration’s goal for a net-zero economy by 2050.

What will the MOU accomplish?

The MOU will support the work of both agencies as the EPA develops new environmental and health protections for the power sector and DOE works to implement Biden’s investments in clean energy and the power grid. The goal of the MOU is to ensure that DOE and EPA can continue to support the ability of the power sector to maintain electric reliability and seize new opportunities in clean energy, especially with challenges like extreme weather events and higher energy demand facing the power sector today. Both agencies anticipate continued consultation with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on electric reliability issues.

How will the agencies work together?

The MOU builds upon longstanding engagement from DOE and EPA with the power sector. The MOU further commits the agencies to routine and comprehensive communication about policies, programs, and activities related to electric reliability. The agencies will share information and analysis, as well as ongoing monitoring and outreach to key stakeholders, to proactively address reliability challenges.

Both EPA and DOE have designated teams of experts who will serve as points of contact for routine communications across the agencies. The agencies will also meet on at least a semiannual basis to provide updates, share information, and analysis, and discuss ongoing monitoring and outreach.

“A reliable electric power system is essential to our national security, continued economic growth, and the protection of public health,” said Michael Regan, EPA Administrator. “That’s why DOE and EPA are uniting our long-standing efforts to ensure a robust and resilient system, especially as the power sector accelerates the transition to low- and zero-carbon energy sources. Under this partnership with DOE, we will provide needed regulatory certainty and support grid reliability and resiliency at every stage as the agency advances efforts to reduce pollution, protect public health, and deliver environmental and economic benefits for all.”  

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