Lack of US independence in the manufacturing of crucial items, such as personal protective equipment and battery components, has led many to be concerned with how we will respond to the next pandemic or move forward on clean energy. On February 24, President Biden issued an Executive Order focused on shoring up supply chains of critical items. The order will require a 100-day review of the supply chain of many products worked on by government contractors and the private sector. In addition, over the next year federal agencies will be required to develop and begin to implement additional actions to maximize domestic production of crucial items and/or ways to work with allies on a coordinated response to hasten supplies when needed.

For example, the Secretary of Energy, coordinating with other agencies, is required to submit a report identifying risks in the supply chain for items such as, large-scale (industrial and electric vehicle) batteries and policy recommendations to address these risks. Also required is a report on supply chains for the energy sector industrial base.

The US Senate confirmed in a bipartisan vote former Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm to serve as the 16th Secretary of Energy. In a Department of Energy blog post shortly after confirmation, Secretary Granholm outlined her priorities including solar, wind, electric cars, advanced batteries, energy efficient appliances, and a weatherized grid structure. Secretary Granholm is known as an electric vehicle enthusiast.

One of her first actions as Secretary is to jumpstart a $100 million funding opportunity for “transformative clean energy solutions” to identify cutting-edge clean energy technologies to address the climate crisis. Energy officials believe total research in clean energy sponsored by the agency will increase to the billions.

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