WILMINGTON, DE – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) today applauded the Department of Energy’s second Quadrennial Energy Review (QER) that provides a strategic review of the U.S. energy sector. Currently, QER’s are not mandated by law. Senator Coons plans to reintroduce legislation requiring periodic comprehensive reviews of current domestic capabilities and future energy needs, as well as the resources, technologies, and policy recommendation to meet them.
“America’s economy relies on clean, affordable, reliable energy. Our energy sector is also a critical part of our national security. To meet our energy goals, we need a periodic strategic review of our energy sector. These comprehensive, balanced federal blueprints enable us to strengthen our economy, protect our nation, and continue leading the world in energy innovation,” Senator Coons said. “I welcome this latest quadrennial energy review (QER) from the Department of Energy which provides a thoughtful analysis of the electricity sector. A QER like this should include a baseline assessment of our technological, economic and national security capabilities. We should put federal resources to work in conjunction with the private sector, academia and state and local leaders to address these important issues. However, this is not required by law. I plan to reintroduce bipartisan legislation in the near future that would require periodic QERs, similar to those required for the Departments of Defense, State, and Homeland Security.”
The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology first called for a QER in a 2010 report. This legislation follows through on that recommendation. The Bipartisan Policy Center’s American Energy Innovation Council supports the development of the QER. The proposal is modeled after similar statutory reports such as the highly-regarded Quadrennial Defense Review, a legislatively-mandated review of defense strategy and priorities.