Fiscal Year 2024 Request for the Government Accountability Office Budget Hearing
- GAO Budget Request: $859.7 million
- U.S. Comptroller General Gene Dodaro
Budget Hearing – Fiscal Year 2024 Request for the United States Forest Service
- US Forest Service Congressional Budget Justification: $9.7 billion. The 2024 Budget dedicates $323 million toward management for “hazardous fuels reduction”, an increase of $116 million from the 2023 enacted level. The 2024 Budget request for workforce salaries and expenses is $1.42 billion, a $509 million increase above the 2023 enacted level to fund the costs of pay reforms for Federal wildland firefighters and increase Federal firefighting capacity.
- Randy Moore, Chief, U.S. Forest Service
- Mark Lichtenstein, National Budget Director, U.S. Forest Service
The posture of United States Northern Command and United States Southern Command in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2024 and the Future Years Defense Program
Chair Jack Reed (D-R.I.)
Witnesses:- General Glen D. VanHerck, USAF Commander, United States Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command
- General Laura J. Richardson, USA Commander, United States Southern Command
- President’s Fiscal Year 2024 Defense Budget ($842 billion)
- Enhancing Combat Capability – Mitigating Climate Risk ($5.1 billion)
ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit: Day Two
The ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit (The Summit) is an annual conference and technology showcase that brings together experts from different technical disciplines and professional communities to think about America’s energy challenges in new and innovative ways. Now in its thirteenth year, the Summit offers a unique, three-day program aimed at moving transformational energy technologies out of the lab and into the market.
The summit is taking place at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, National Harbor, Maryland.
Agenda: Day One | Day Two | Day Three
| 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | Fast Pitch: Nuclear & Materials | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | Grid Storage Beyond the Hype
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Intermittent resources such as wind and solar play a greater role in energy generation. Concurrently, consumer, commercial, and industrial power consumption increasingly electrifies. Energy storage will play a critical role in balancing supply and demand across the grid, regardless of time of day, weather, or season. This is reflected in the public funding and private capital flowing to the development of new battery and alternative energy storage technologies and projects. This panel will explore the role that storage currently plays in the grid and, more importantly, what to expect in the future, and when. Our panelists will discuss the technologies and the business cases behind recent high-profile long duration energy storage projects to provide an inside view into this key enabler of the energy transition.
| 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | What’s Behind the Corporate Curtain?
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This panel will examine large company absorption and adoption of companies and their technologies. When a company conducts an IPO or other type of capital raise, everything happens in the public eye. Conversely when one company acquires another’s technology – or the company itself – the process is opaquer and that technology sometimes doesn’t resurface for years, if ever. Large company executives will pull back the curtain and explain what happens to the energy technologies they acquire after the purchase and how they are absorbed or adopted into the acquirer’s operations. Learn more about this potential road to commercialization.
| 11:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. | Tech Demo: CHARGED: Commercialization of Highly Accelerated Reliable Grid-Networked Energy Delivery
| Team: Imagen Energy
| 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Tech Demo: Predictive Data-Driven Vehicle Dynamics and Powertrain Control: from ECU to the Cloud
| University of California, Berkeley (UCB)
| This NEXTCAR project seeks to reduce vehicle energy consumption by 30%, via connectivity and automation technologies. If scaled to all on-road vehicles in the U.S., these technologies potentially eliminate 4.5 quads of energy consumption. Our project pursues three use-cases. The first leverages communication with signalized intersections to automate the speed profile and lane changing to minimize energy consumption, in arterial roads. Second, we automate the parking and charging behaviors in parking lots via vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication. Third, we minimize fleet vehicle energy consumption via optimized dispatching, routing, and charge scheduling in urban environments. We invite you to engage with us on scaling this technology to maximize impact. 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Student PITCHES (Proposing Ideas for Technologies that Can Harness Energy Sustainably)
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Pitchers:
| 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. | American Energy Innovators Network: Designing Federal Policy for Energy Startups
| The American Energy Innovators Network (AEIN) is hosting a policy discussion for Summit participants. Join us for a brief overview of the policy landscape affecting clean energy startups, entrepreneurs, and investors, and discussion on policy priorities for the upcoming year. This conversation is open to anyone who is interested.
| 1:15 p.m. – 1:35 p.m. | Keynote Address
| 1:35 p.m. – 1:55 p.m. | Fireside Chat
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| 1:55 p.m. – 2:05 p.m. | Keynote Address
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| 2:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Keynote Address
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* Dr. David Victor, Professor of Innovation and Public Policy, School of Global Policy and Strategy, University of California San Diego, BP
| 2:30 p.m. – 2:40 p.m. | Keynote Address
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| 2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. | Keynote Address & Fireside Chat
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| 3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. | Fast Pitch: Sustainability & Resilience
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| 3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. | Best Practices and Challenges for Product or Process Lifecycle Analyses
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The focus on sustainability across multiple industry sectors has enhanced the need for the development of highly sophisticated Lifecycle Analysis (LCA) tools for revenue generating products and processes. These tools help companies estimate and reduce their Scope 1-3 emissions to meet the sustainability scorecards they have been mandated to report on. Development of such models are a non-trivial task requiring a comprehensive understanding of cradle-to-grave supply chains and acquiring and analyzing data sources, for accurate reporting. This panel session will focus on identifying some of the challenges and best practices for the development of LCA tools for the aviation, datacenter, oil & gas, and materials manufacturing industries and what transformational technologies are needed. Perspectives from the panelists will focus on what is possible versus what is needed and how the uptake of these tools for future decision making can be enhanced.
| 3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. | Nuclear Power for our Low Carbon Future: Rethinking the Nuclear Waste Challenge
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The energy transition will require a variety of low-carbon energy technologies and, while early in the transition, the premium for constant, on-demand power is becoming increasingly important. One option for low-carbon, baseload electricity is nuclear energy. Several advanced reactor companies are targeting deployment towards the latter part of this decade, though a common question relevant to their rapid deployment is, “What should we do about the waste?”. The current disposal plan, decided in the late 1970s and endorsed multiple times since, for nuclear waste is to permanently dispose of the material in a deep geological repository. However, the existing nuclear waste sits in interim storage at approximately 100 locations throughout the United States and the suitability of a potential deep geological repository to effectively sequester nuclear waste from advanced reactors is unclear. Fortunately, technologies, including waste forms, recycling, transmutation, etc., have dramatically evolved and the potential to reassess optimal disposal options is timely. This panel will discuss how potential technological innovations could have significant impact on the viability of various disposal options.
| 5:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Tech Demo: Analytics Data Hub and the Intelligence Potential of Clarivate’s Global Research & Innovation Data
| Clarivate Partner Demo
| 6:45 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Tech Demo: Compact Diffusion Bonded Printed-Circuit Heat Exchanger Development Using Nickel Superalloys for Highly Power Dense and Efficient Modular Energy Production Systems
| Vacuum Process Engineering (VPE) will present progress on the design and manufacturing development of compact diffusion bonded microchannel heat exchangers using high nickel superalloys. Microchannel heat exchangers are constructed from laminating layers of sheet metal together in a solid-state joining process where the sheet metal layers contain small semicircular channels to accommodate fluid flow with alternating flow paths. Typically, microchannel heat exchangers are constructed from stainless steel alloys which limits their operating conditions to ~650 °C at ~20 MPa. The development of alternative channel forming and bonding techniques developed in this project for high nickel alloys such as IN740H allow for the operating envelope of microchannel heat exchangers to be extended to 800 °C at 28 MPa. A prototype 5-kW heat exchanger constructed from IN740H and operated at temperatures above 800 °C will be presented.
| 7:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. | Tech Demo: AERIALIST – 2nd generation motor for lArge ElectRIc Aircraft propuLsIon SysTems
| Team: Wright Electric
| 5:00 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. | ARPA-E: The Team Transforming Energy
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ARPA-E has a history of making a difference – not just in the way the United States uses energy, but also in the lives and careers of those who join the ARPA-E team. The Program Director, T2M Advisor, and Fellow positions can play a decisive role in a career both by providing the opportunity to revolutionize the energy sector and positioning team members for future prospects that may have otherwise been out of reach or unimagined. These positions are term limited to drive a consistent influx of new ideas and perspectives into the agency and grow its alumni network throughout the energy innovation community. Join new ARPA-E Director Dr. Evelyn Wang as she sits with a panel of ARPA-E team members and alumni to discuss their experience working at the agency, how they decided that a role at ARPA-E was the right fit for them, and how ARPA-E served as a pivotal point in their career trajectory.
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Climate Defiance Launch Fundraiser - with Bill McKibben
Launch fundraiser with Bill McKibben
Join Climate Defiance for our launch party fundraiser with keynote speaker Bill McKibben.
About Bill McKibben:
Widely recognized as one of the world’s preeminent climate activists, Bill McKibben is a founder of 350 and Third Act. McKibben is the Schumann Distinguished Professor in Residence at Middlebury College, and the author of over a dozen books including Eaarth and The End of Nature.
About Climate Defiance:
We are a brand-new, youth-led, grassroots organizing collective focused on using peaceful, nonviolent direct action to resist fossil fuels. Our first demand is that President Biden end all fossil fuel leasing on federal lands. We will not shy away from confrontation and disruption. Our world is in a state of emergency and we plan to act accordingly. This April, we will sit-in at the White House Correspondents Dinner – those of us who are able will engage in a bold act of nonviolent, civil disobedience there.
Our mission:
- End fossil fuel extraction on federal lands and waters.
- End sacrifice zones and usher in a just transition for those most impacted.
- Stand in solidarity with our sister-struggles for racial and economic justice.
- Deploy mass turnout, disruptive direct action to compel politicians to act with the urgency this moment deserves.
- Elevate climate change to a top-three political issue in American politics.
- Make support for any fossil fuels as unacceptable on the left as opposing abortion or gay marriage.
- Change the terms of the debate. Move the Overton Window.
- Make clear to left-wing lawmakers that the youth vote will only deliver for them if they deliver for us.
Location: Brookland Busboys & Poets
Note: If you are unable to attend, but would like to make a contribution, please do so at climatedefiance.org/donate
Nomination of Dilawar Syed to be Deputy Administrator, and Oversight of the U.S. Small Business Administration and Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Proposal
Business meeting to vote on the nomination of Dilawar Syed to be Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, followed by
A hearing on the FY 2024 budget request for the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Chair: Ben Cardin (D-Md.)
Witness:- Isabella Casillas Guzman, Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration
- Budget Justification: $556 million
In FY 2024, SBA is requesting $10 million in Climate Change administrative expenses in the Salaries and Expenses account instead of $5 million in the Business and Disaster Loan Program accounts respectively as provided in FY 2023 Enacted.
The SBA will help small businesses mitigate risks from severe weather and related hazards, adopt clean and energy efficient technologies, and compete in the markets of innovative goods and services. The SBA’s FY 2023 enacted appropriations provided $5 million in Business Loans Programs administrative expenses for this purpose. The SBA will hire subject matter experts to update policies to address small business needs for access to capital due to climate crisis issues (e.g., energy efficiency, flooding due to coastal changes, redesign or relocation needs). These additional resources will enable the SBA to increase focused outreach, training, and awareness campaigns of the 7(a), 504, and Microloan programs. The funds will also allow the SBA to provide updates on program enhancements identified by the energy focused policy team in conjunction with industry associations whose clients have a special emphasis area in climate crisis issues.
The Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program is designed to provide critical and direct assistance to underserved innovation-based entrepreneurs with the goal of increasing their success in obtaining SBIR and STTR funding. In FY 2023 and FY 2024, the SBA will expand the FAST program and increase the number of awards and value of awards through the increase in funding provided in FY 2023 enacted and requested in the FY 2024 Budget. The SBA will continue to monitor awardees and ensure that performance data are used to assess outcomes. FAST will continue its emphasis on addressing climate change and growing participation from underserved entrepreneurs.
: In FY 2023 and FY 2024, the SBA will run the Growth Accelerator Fund Competition to award prizes that support an inclusive public-private ecosystem for innovators, particularly those who have been underrepresented in STEM/R&D entrepreneurship. Focus areas for proposals will include assistance programs for women and minority entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs in rural areas, and programs targeting technologies addressing manufacturing and climate change.
Review of the FY 2024 Budget for the Department of the Treasury
Presiding: Chair Van Hollen
Witness:- Janet Yellen, Secretary, U.S. Department of Treasury
- $2.93 billion for Multilateral Development Banks
- $1.42 billion for Climate Change and Environment Funds
- $0.122 billion for Food Security
- $0.332 billion for Treasury’s Departmental Offices, which includes $8.2 million to support 27 staff positions for Treasury’s Climate Hub and a climate-related technical support center to conduct assessments of climate-related risks across Government programs
- $0.031 billion for capital investments, including $5 million for electric vehicle leasing and charging infrastructure
Staffing to Support Climate Initiatives +$3,184,000 / +11 FTE
The Administration is targeting cuts to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 50% – 52% from 2005 levels by 2030 and has outlined an ambitious plan to double international climate finance and triple international adaptation finance by 2024, to support communities transitioning away from coal and to encourage the private sector to disclose climate risk. The Administration has tasked Treasury with playing a key role in these efforts, but as currently staffed, Treasury is limited in its ability to contribute to crucial elements of the climate agenda. Treasury’s unique responsibilities on a range of programs related to climate change – including economic, financial sector, and climate-related government policies – are reflected in an ambitious climate strategy program. This request would build policy strength in key climate functions, including international economists who can support bilateral and multilateral efforts outlined in the International Climate Finance Strategy, domestic finance experts responsible for understanding climate risks on the financial system, and economists responsible for conducting economic analyses related to the impacts of domestic and international climate policies on US energy markets.
Climate Technical Assistance Center +$5,000,000 / +16 FTE
Funding is requested for the establishment of a Climate-Related Financial Risk Technical Support Center to develop, conduct, and integrate assessments of climate-related financial risk exposure from across the Federal government and to facilitate climate financial risk data sharing. This initiative is intended to improve the Federal Government’s ability to understand the potential impact of climate-related financial risks to Federal assets and programs.
Living Up to America’s Promise: The Need to Bolster the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program
Chair: Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)
Witnesses:- William Canny, Executive Director, Migration and Refugee Services, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
- Dauda Sesay, National Network Director, African Community Together; Vice-Chair, Refugee Congress Board of Directors; Founder & President, Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants (LORI)
- BG Christopher M. Burns, U.S. Army (Ret.)
Roundtable Discussion titled “Native Priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill Reauthorization”
- Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson, President, Central Council of Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, Juneau, AK
- Mahina Paishon-Duarte, Co-Founder, ʻĀina Aloha Economic Futures, Honolulu, HI
- Kelsey Scott, Director of Programs, Intertribal Agriculture Council, Gettysburg, SD
- Ryan Lankford, Chairman, Montana State FSA Committee and Island Mountain Development Group, Chinook, MT
- Dave Zeller, Chief Executive Officer, Navajo Agricultural Products Industry, Farmington, NM
- Trenton Kissee, Director, Agriculture and Natural Resources for Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Claremore, OK
- Mary Greene Trottier, President, National Association of Food Distribution Programs on Indian Reservations, Fort Totten, ND
- Dustin Schmidt, Producer, Rosebud Sioux Tribe, White River, SD
Press Conference to Introduce A. Donald McEachin Environmental Justice for All Act
On World Water Day, Wednesday, March 22, at 11:30 a.m. Eastern at the House Triangle, House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) will be joined by Vice Ranking Member Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.), Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and environmental justice leaders for a press conference to announce introduction of the newly named A. Donald McEachin Environmental Justice for All Act. Ranking Member Grijalva will also announce Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) as the new lead cosponsor of the House bill.
The press conference will highlight key provisions of the A. Donald McEachin Environmental Justice for All Act, the most comprehensive federal environmental justice legislation to date. Environmental justice leaders will also be in attendance to speak to the impacts of environmental injustices on their communities and the pressing need for federal legislative action.
After the press conference, speakers and additional environmental justice community leaders will be available to press to discuss the legislation and its impact in more detail.
Speakers:- Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva, 7th District of Arizona, Ranking Member, U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources
- Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, 37th District of California, Vice Ranking Member, U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources
- U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, State of Illinois
- U.S. Senator Cory Booker, State of New Jersey
- Faith Harris, Virginia Interfaith Power & Light
- Elise Joshi, Gen-Z for Change
Community environmental justice leaders available for interview post-press conference:
- Russell Armstrong, Hip Hop Caucus
- Dana Johnson, WeAct
- Angelo Logan, Liberty Hill Foundation
- Jo & Joy Banner, The Descendants Project
- Michele Roberts, Environmental Justice Health Alliance
- Rudy Arredondo, National Latino Farmers & Ranchers Trade Association
- Mark Magaña, Green Latinos, Founding President & CEO