On October 11, 2022, DOE issued a Request for Information seeking public comment on how the DPA authority provided to it can be leveraged to accelerate domestic production of four technology areas addressed in the Presidential Determinations:
- energy supply chains for transformers and critical electric grid components;
- solar photovoltaics;
- insulation materials; and
- electrolyzers, platinum group metals, and fuel cells for clean hydrogen.
Section 30001 of the IRA appropriates $500 million to the Defense Production Act of 1950 (DPA). The Department of Energy (DOE) was granted authority through Presidential Determinations to use some of these funds to accelerate the manufacturing and deployment of certain clean energy technologies to secure U.S. energy supply chains.
The Request for Information seeks input on the “general use of DPA authority as well as potential program activities and/or designs.” Responses to the Request for Information will help inform the DOE’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains and Office of Policy on how they can best utilize funding to support the private sector, workers, and communities to help secure and strengthen the U.S. industrial base needed to ensure current and future energy as well as national security.
Responses were due November 30, 2022 and were reviewed on a rolling basis.