This document provides a blueprint for the National Mission for Clean Power, outlining the key policies, programs, and actions needed to achieve a 100% clean power grid in ten years. Unlike the full report, which details industry context, challenges, and implementation, this blueprint focuses on the actionable framework for success.

These mission blueprints are intended for industry experts, policymakers, and other readers who need a clear, accessible way to absorb the key elements of each plan. They do not include the background information, industry context, or in-depth analysis found in the full-length national mission chapters. While we encourage all readers — especially policymakers — to explore the complete reports for a deeper understanding of the industries and solutions involved, we recognize that many professionals may not have the time to do so. These summaries are designed to offer a more digestible version of each mission’s core goals and strategies.

Each blueprint begins with three brief overview sections introducing the Mission for America, the role of the president, and the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. These topics are explored in much greater detail in the Mission for America introduction. Readers who have already reviewed that material — either in the introduction or in another mission blueprint — may wish to skip directly to the section titled The National Mission for Clean Power.

The National Mission for Clean Power

There is no prosperous or even survivable future without an abundant supply of clean energy. Clean energy will directly eliminate emissions from electricity generation — responsible for 25% of the nation’s annual greenhouse gas emissions — by replacing America’s 3,000 fossil fuel power plants. Clean energy will also unlock emissions reductions across other industries by powering electrified vehicles, heating systems, industrial processes, and enabling the production of low-carbon fuels such as green hydrogen. Nearly every national mission in the Mission for America relies on abundant, affordable clean energy.

There are many reasons to be optimistic about the state of the clean energy sector. The cost of clean technologies such as wind and solar energy have declined by over 90% in the last decade. Many clean technology manufacturers, particularly solar and battery manufacturers, are beginning to move production to the United States. The Inflation Reduction Act created powerful new subsidies for clean energy manufacturing and deployment that will power the industry for the next decade. These trends have created tangible momentum in the sector, and over 90% of all new generation capacity added in 2024 was from clean energy sources.

Despite this progress, regulatory, financial, and structural challenges continue to prevent the expansion needed for a 100% clean energy grid. Most utilities are unable or unwilling to make the bold investments needed for full decarbonization. Private investment in energy projects remains inadequate, especially for next-generation technologies. Even when investors do invest in projects, outdated regulations make the process unnecessarily complex and time-consuming. Furthermore, rising electricity demand — driven by data centers and the electrification of vehicles and buildings — is outpacing clean energy deployment. As a result, some utilities are delaying fossil fuel retirements or even reopening closed plants. At the current pace, the United States will not build a 100% clean energy grid for many decades to come.

The national mission for clean power will build upon the momentum of the clean energy sector and remove the obstacles to a 100% clean energy grid. This national mission has two overarching goals: to convert the U.S. to 100% clean electric power generation in ten years and to increase overall energy generation capacity to accommodate growing demand. Many smaller goals help contribute to these larger goals. The specific goals of this national mission are to:

Retire all of America’s more than 3,400 fossil fuel-burning power plants over ten years.

Build new clean electric power generation capacity to replace decommissioned fossil fuel plants and provide enough additional energy to power the nation’s post-transition economy. We expect this to require at least doubling the size of the power grid.

Make the primary objective of federal energy regulations creating a stable, reliable, and 100% clean power grid.

Build additional long-distance, high-voltage power transmission lines to create a truly national grid that can move large amounts of power to where it is needed.

Build adequate short-distance transmission capacity to accommodate new power generation sources and higher levels of demand from commercial and residential users.

Develop and deploy next-generation energy technologies such as small modular nuclear reactors and enhanced geothermal.

Scale up domestic wind and solar manufacturing to ensure energy independence, earn export income, and provide good jobs for Americans.

Build small and large-scale energy storage capacity to create a stable and reliable grid that will include many intermittent power sources.

Change our energy system from one in which building new energy projects is costly and time-consuming to one in which adding new energy is fast and affordable.

The benefits of this national mission are immense. Millions of good jobs will be created as people produce goods in factories, upgrade the nation’s utilities, and build new energy projects. America will become a net exporter of essential clean energy technologies, which will grow national wealth and help other countries meet their own climate targets. Upgrading our energy infrastructure is not a burden that must be stretched out over decades. Rather, it is an opportunity for national renewal.

Solutions Overview

The National Mission for Clean Power addresses key challenges in the energy transition with six comprehensive, interconnected solutions. Each solution targets a critical aspect of the energy transition — establishing a national Clean Energy Standard, expanding transmission capacity, growing domestic clean energy manufacturing, accelerating clean energy deployment, reforming the federal permitting process for energy projects, and deploying energy storage. Together, these solutions form a comprehensive strategy to build a 100% clean power grid, create millions of jobs, and provide affordable and clean energy for all Americans. This section contains a summary of each solution section’s goals and overall strategy.

Solution 1: Creating a Clean Energy Standard

Creates a Clean Energy Standard that requires utilities to transition to 100% clean energy in ten years.

The U.S. lacks a cohesive national policy to drive the transition to clean energy. This solution establishes a Clean Energy Standard (CES) that requires all utilities transition to 100% clean power in ten years. This solution guides policymakers through many of the decisions they will make when crafting the CES. Furthermore, this solution introduces policies that provide utilities with financing and technical assistance during the transition. The major strategies of this solution section include:

Creating a Clean Energy Standard that mandates utilities transition to 100% clean energy generation over a ten year period.

Empowering the Department of Energy (DOE) to set interim goals for utilities, and track their progress through a Clean Energy Credit system, and hold utilities should they fail to meet their benchmarks.

Requiring utilities complete a comprehensive needs assessment — called Decarbonization Pathway Studies — that outlines the investments and infrastructure upgrades (e.g., new substations) necessary to meet their CES goals.

Providing utilities with the financial resources to make infrastructure upgrades through a federal grant program and a utility upgrade fund within the RFC.

Rallying support for the CES among utility managers through personal outreach by the president and the RFC clean power team leader.

Solution 2: Increasing America’s Transmission Capacity

Expands America’s transmission capacity.

The United States will need to triple its transmission capacity to support a 100% clean energy grid. However, outdated regulations, limited interregional coordination, and insufficient financing have made building new transmission lines exceedingly difficult. This solution introduces policies to overhaul how transmission lines are permitted to ensure projects are approved quickly. This solution also invests significant public capital into ambitious long-distance, interregional transmission lines to provide affordable clean energy to where demand is highest. The major strategies of this solution section include:

Expediting the permitting process for interstate transmission projects by granting the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) the authority to permit and site new interstate transmission lines.

Strengthening federal backstop siting authority for transmission projects in areas with substantial grid congestion.

Building new transmission lines along existing rights-of-ways, such as highways and railways, to simplify the siting process and accelerate development.

Expanding public investment in new transmission projects, including public-private partnerships, a new investment tax credit, and RFC investment.

Increasing the efficiency of existing transmission lines by investing in Grid-Enhancing-Technologies (GETs).

Encouraging more interregional cooperation by requiring utilities to join a Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) and creating a council of RTO leaders to identify opportunities for interregional transmission lines.

Using the presidential bully pulpit to advocate for new transmission projects and taking on bad-faith actors that delay projects.

Solution 3: Investing in Clean Energy Manufacturing

Bolsters the domestic manufacturing of clean energy technologies.

The United States is heavily reliant on imports for many key energy technologies. The nation’s reliance on imports risks higher prices or uncontrollable supply chain disruptions that could slow new energy projects to a halt. Building a domestic supply chain for clean energy technologies will enable a smooth and affordable transition to a clean energy grid. This solution section aims to create domestic supply chains for all types of clean energy technology through new federal incentives and a mass mobilization of capital from the RFC. The major strategies of this solution section include:

Expanding existing manufacturing incentives — such as the Advanced Energy Project Tax Credit and the Advanced Manufacturing Production Tax Credit — to encourage more investment in clean energy manufacturing.

Using the full breadth of RFC tools to invest in new manufacturing capacity, including providing loans or taking equity stakes in companies.

Monitoring the supply chain for potential gaps or shortages and investing in companies that fill these gaps.

Arranging deals — such as long-term purchase orders or joint ventures — between clean energy manufacturers and energy project developers to provide demand certainty.

Winning the support of industry leaders through targeted outreach by the president and the CEO of the RFC.

Solution 4: Building New Clean Energy Generation

Builds new clean energy generation.

Achieving a 100% clean power grid in ten years requires increasing the rate of clean energy deployment by four to five times current levels. This solution tackles the challenge by accelerating federal and private investment, addressing financial and logistical bottlenecks, and ensuring equitable access to clean energy resources across all communities. The major strategies of this solution section include:

Increasing federal subsidies for clean energy projects by expanding existing programs, such as the Clean Electricity Investment Credit, and creating a new grant program for clean energy projects in environmental justice communities.

Utilizing the full extent of the RFC’s investment power — such as providing low-interest financing to developers or taking ownership stakes in projects — to grow investment in clean energy generation.

Clearing any bottlenecks — financial, logistical, political, or otherwise — through the leadership of the RFC clean power team leader.

Investing in next-generation energy technologies, such as enhanced geothermal and nuclear small modular reactors, by providing long-term, low-interest rate financing or equity investments in companies researching new technologies.

Encouraging more rooftop solar through the new Upgrade America Loan Program (UALP), which provides homeowners with rebates and low-interest loans for climate-friendly home retrofits.

Solution 5: Reforming Clean Energy Permitting

Reforms the permitting process for new energy projects.

The federal permitting process for new energy projects is complex and time-consuming, often slowing projects to a halt. Furthermore, bad-faith actors have weaponized the permitting system to make it nearly impossible to quickly build any infrastructure projects. This solution section streamlines the permitting process and protects it from manipulation, while still preserving the spirit of environmental and community protection. The major strategies of this solution section include:

Streamlining the permitting and review process by consolidating all federal environmental reviews and permits for qualifying clean energy projects into a new Office of Clean Technology Permitting (OCTP) within the DOE, which will create and administer a new unitary federal environmental review process and issue permits.

Expediting the permitting and review process by setting strict deadlines for OCTP reviews, limiting the timeframe for legal challenges, and expanding categorical exclusions.

Empowering the president to set “priority projects” that receive an immediate review from the OCTP.

Facilitating more clean energy on public lands by setting yearly deployment targets and streamlining the approval process for new projects.

Using the presidential bully pulpit to break America’s “can’t do” culture and make the case for the quick approval of new clean energy projects.

Solution 6: Deploying New Energy Storage

Develops and deploys new energy storage technologies.

Energy storage is essential to achieving a stable, reliable 100% clean power grid. However, current technologies are limited in both duration and scale. While existing systems can store energy for several hours, a fully decarbonized grid will require solutions capable of storing energy for days, weeks, or even months. This solution section focuses on deploying energy storage technologies and expanding investment in research and development for next-generation energy storage technology. The major strategies of this solution section include:

Encouraging private investment in energy storage through expanded federal subsidies.

Investing in large, utility-scale energy storage projects through the RFC.

Researching and developing new storage technologies through expanded DOE funding and RFC investment in companies developing innovative energy storage technologies.

Supporting publicly-owned distributed energy storage through grants to state and local governments.

Expanding vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-grid capabilities to utilize electric vehicle batteries as a form of distributed energy storage and as part of virtual power plants.

Utilizing hydrogen salt cavern storage as seasonal energy storage.

Solution Summaries

This section summarizes the specific actions proposed in the complete National Mission for Clean Power. Each solution is organized by the actor responsible for implementation — Congress, the president, the executive branch, and the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) — though not every solution involves all four actors.

Solution 1: Creating a Clean Energy Standard

Congress

Create a Clean Energy Standard. Congress will need to pass a Clean Energy Standard (CES) that requires every utility in the United States to transition to 100% clean energy over a ten year period. The CES should include wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, biomass, and nuclear energy as eligible clean energy sources.

Create a new office within the Department of Energy to oversee the CES. Congress will need to create and adequately fund a new office within the DOE to oversee and manage the CES. This new office must be agile and independent, adapting to changing circumstances. This new department must also have adequate staff and resources to be out in the field, meeting regularly with utilities, developers, and other stakeholders to meet progress benchmarks.

Require the DOE to create and manage timelines for utilities to reach 100% clean power and establish any beneficial intermediate benchmarks. Every utility will have benchmark goals during the ten year transition that require them to source an increasing amount of their electricity demand from clean energy sources. The DOE will have to evaluate the starting point and capabilities of all utilities and work with them individually to develop reasonable transition timelines. Utilities that have already achieved high rates of renewable energy generation will easily reach their 100% goal in ten years, while others may need extra assistance and a longer lead time. Timelines must be clear and not subject to unexpected change. Timelines should include interim goals between the beginning of the program and their 100% clean energy completion date.

Empower the DOE to enforce the CES. The DOE must be given the power to enforce consequences for utilities that fail to phase out fossil fuels and increase clean energy generation. Utilities that fail to meet their CES goals will be fined, the value of which will be determined by how far they were from their goal and whether they have missed goals in the past.

Create a market for “Clean Energy Credits” to permit flexibility and track utilities’ progress in transitioning to clean power. The DOE will measure utility’s progress through a credit system. One megawatt of clean energy will equate to one Clean Energy Credit (CEC). The CES will also create a marketplace where utilities can buy and sell CECs to other utilities. Utilities exceeding their required credits each year can either bank the credits for up to two years or sell them to another utility on the credit trading market. Allowing the banking and trading of credits will give utilities flexibility should an unexpected event cause them to miss their benchmark.

Mandate that every utility complete a long-term “Decarbonization Pathway Study.” The Decarbonization Pathway Study (DPS) is a comprehensive study that all utilities will complete to show how they plan to fulfill their CES obligations. Utilities will report on future demand- and supply-side changes, new transmission needs, and infrastructure upgrades that may be required to accommodate changing energy generation. The DPS is not a legal contract that utilities must follow. Rather, it is a roadmap for utilities and the federal government to assess infrastructure needs.

Identify and offer lowest common denominator grants. After utilities complete their DPS, the DOE will identify common needs across utilities and report major vulnerabilities to Congress. Based on this data, Congress can design targeted grant programs that provide funding for widely needed infrastructure rather than relying solely on individual loan applications. This approach streamlines support and addresses common challenges efficiently.

President

Convince the American people that phasing out fossil fuels is essential to the nation’s survival and a step towards renewed prosperity. The President must lead a national conversation on phasing out fossil fuels in power generation. The president’s message should emphasize the significant emissions from existing energy generation, the health toll of fossil fuels, the long-term future cost savings of a clean energy grid, the economic opportunities in the global clean energy market, and the risks of dependence on foreign clean energy technologies.

Create the president’s power team to oversee the transition process. The President should establish a Clean Power team to oversee the transition to clean energy. This team will comprise representatives from federal agencies (e.g. the FERC, DOE, and the RFC), state governments, utilities, Regional Transmission Organizations, and other government bodies. The team will regularly report directly to the president and function as the president’s “eyes and ears” for the transition. The team will help monitor utility progress, identify bottlenecks, recommend executive actions, ensure effective use of RFC funding and federal programs, and align federal funding with stakeholder needs.

Appoint a leader to head a Clean Power Team at the RFC. The Clean Power RFC Team will be responsible for providing investment and coordination for new power generation, transmission projects, and utility upgrades. As in other areas, the RFC team will act as a long-term investor looking for profitable deals that the private sector is too timid or slow to fund. It is essential that the RFC team leader be someone with extensive experience in the energy sector so they can rely on their expertise and existing connections to other industry leaders to quickly launch new deals.

Convene utility leaders and sell them on the goals laid out in the CES. Even before taking office, the President should convene utility leaders to promote the CES goals as attainable and beneficial for the industry. The President can win the support of utility leaders by framing this mission as an opportunity for long-overdue infrastructure upgrades backed by unprecedented federal funding and RFC support.

Maintain pressure on utilities during the transition process. Utilities may attempt to slow-walk their transition or even publicly denounce the CES. If this happens, the president must forcefully defend the goals of the national mission and the CES. In public, the president should openly state that the utility is denying its customers cleaner and cheaper energy than they use now. In private, the president and the RFC team leader should call the hostile utility and work on deals to convince them to cooperate with the CES.

RFC

Create a Utility Upgrade Fund within the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. The Utility Upgrade Fund will provide financing for utilities needing capital to address vulnerabilities identified through their DPS and take steps to meet their CES goals. Utilities must complete their DPS and demonstrate that CES compliance depends on the requested financing. The fund will offer options such as low-interest loans, loan guarantees, lines of credit, and equity investments to utilities.

Identify and resolve supply chain shortages for utility equipment. The RFC must address supply chain shortages for critical utility equipment to ensure that utilities can make the necessary infrastructure investments to meet their CES goals. The RFC will use the DPS to identify high-demand technologies that may face supply challenges as utilities transition. The RFC will work with the producers of these technologies to expand production. Additionally, the RFC will establish a national stockpile of essential grid components which can be used during supply disruptions or for emergency grid repairs after natural disasters.

Solution 2: Increasing America’s Transmission Capacity

Congress

Give the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission the ability to permit and site new interstate transmission projects. The best way to accelerate the deployment of long-distance, interstate transmission line is the give the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) the sole authority to permit and site new lines. The FERC already has the authority to permit and site interstate natural gas pipelines under the 1938 Natural Gas Act. In this process, the FERC issues certificates of “public convenience and necessity” that allow developers access to routes, including limited use of eminent domain. This process allows pipelines to bypass the need for approvals from every impacted state or locality, enabling fast project approvals. Congress must give the FERC this same authority to permit and cite all new interstate transmission lines to ensure a unified, efficient process to support new transmission development.

Create an investment tax credit for new transmission projects. The new credit will have a payout rate of 30%, with an additional 10% for new transmission lines over 500 miles long. The credit will be fully refundable for all applicants and available for ten years.

Expand federal authority to create public-private partnerships under Section 1222 of the Energy Powers Act of 2005. Section 1222 of the Energy Powers Act of 2005 grants the DOE the authority to form public-private partnerships and finance new transmission lines. Currently, the DOE is limited to projects within the Southwestern (SWPA) and Western Area (WAPA) Power Administrations. Congress must modify Section 1222 to allow the DOE to enter into public-private partnerships in any region of the country. Furthermore, the DOE must be instructed to seek out new partnerships and initiate the building and operating of needed lines even before a private actor appears.

President

Advocate for a new national mission: A massive grid build-out. The president must make the case for expanding the American power grid to the American voter. The president will need to make the topic of transmission lines more tangible to the average American by discussing the benefits of transmission projects — lower utility bills, cleaner air, grid security, and job creation — through public campaigns and direct outreach.

Make the case for the national mission to utilities and transmission developers. The president must convene the most important players in the transmission sector — private developers, utilities, local decision-makers, and more — and make the case for expanding America’s transmission capacity. The goal is to create momentum for the use of either Section 1222 or RFC investment deals to spur new transmission projects. The message that the federal government is willing and able to finance large-scale transmission projects must be heard by utilities and developers across the nation.

Appoint bold FERC commissioners. The Mission for America requires strong leadership from regulatory authorities such as the FERC. If the opportunity arises, the President must appoint a commissioner committed to advancing clean power goals and making decisive regulatory decisions. FERC commissioners must act proactively to approve transmission lines that deliver consumer savings and help utilities meet DPS targets.

Executive Branch

Use existing federal power to designate National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors in order to build out transmission capacity. The administration should use their existing authority to designate National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (NIETC) and leverage backstop siting authority to expand transmission capacity. This can be achieved without new congressional action through three key measures. First, the DOE should transfer its NIETC designation authority to the FERC. This consolidation would simplify the regulatory process, as FERC is already equipped with the expertise, resources, and faster processes necessary for transmission projects. Second, FERC should use the CES and DPS to define “congestion” as the inability of utilities to meet CES goals due to insufficient transmission capacity. Finally, FERC must comply with court-mandated requirements for consultation with states while ensuring that no state holds unilateral veto power over NIETC designations.

Use existing rights-of-way to build new transmission lines. Executive agencies should prioritize building new transmission lines along existing rights-of-way, such as highways and railways, to simplify the siting and permitting process. These pre-approved routes would allow for developers to bypass most of the siting and permitting process. The DOE should study suitable rights-of-way, initiate permitting, and identify potential private developers for these routes.

Proactively use expanded Section 1222 power to start building out new lines. After Congress authorizes a new expanded jurisdiction for Section 1222, the executive branch must act. If the federal government finds that a particular transmission route will bring substantial economic or decarbonization benefits, but no private developer expresses interest, then the DOE should use its expanded authority to begin building out new lines independently. In these instances, the DOE and the FERC can cooperate to expedite the permitting process and ensure that lines are built as quickly as possible.

Mandate that every electrical provider participate in a Regional Transmission Organization. The FERC should mandate that all electrical providers participate in a Regional Transmission Organization (RTO). RTO membership is currently optional, and only around 60% of utilities are members of an RTO. Participation in RTO’s has been shown to facilitate greater access to low-cost renewables, streamlined transmission development, and reduced emissions. Mandatory RTO membership would ensure interregional dialogue and better management of new transmission lines.

RFC

Work closely with the RTOs, state governments, and private developers throughout the duration of the building process. The leader of the RFC clean power team must remain involved with the key stakeholders in transmission projects the RFC invests in and ensure the project is finished. Hundreds of thousands of miles of new transmission lines will be built throughout the Mission for America, and the leader of the RFC clean power team cannot reasonably be expected to be intimately involved in all of them. However, the team leader must be intimately aware of where national bottlenecks are occurring.

Make an investment in a bold interregional long-distance transmission project as a day one investment. The RFC’s day one investment will be the public face of the RFC’s transmission portfolio. This investment will be the administration’s biggest opportunity to prove to developers that the reforms they passed are capable of building the transmission infrastructure the country needs. The RFC will need to take all necessary steps to ensure the project is completed. These actions may include; working with the FERC to make sure that the line gets approved quickly, smoothing out any bottlenecks that may emerge in the supply chain, regularly updating the president on the project’s progress, and identifying or investing in clean energy projects that could connect to the transmission line.

Create a dedicated group within the Clean Power RFC Team who focuses on deploying Grid Enhancing Technologies. Grid-enhancing technologies (GETs) are strategies or tools that make existing grid infrastructure more efficient and reliable without needing to build new transmission lines. GETs are important but often underutilized tools. The RFC needs to create a subdivision within the Clean Power RFC Team responsible for providing financial support, technical assistance, and the determination to deploy GETs. This subdivision, called the GETs team, will proactively identify utilities and individual long-distance power lines that would benefit the most from adopting GETs. Once a line or utility is identified, the GETs team will take all necessary steps to ensure that GETs are deployed.

Solution 3: Investing in Clean Energy Manufacturing

Congress

Expand the Advanced Energy Project Tax Credit for clean energy manufacturing. The Advanced Energy Project Tax Credit (AEPTC), often referred to as the 48C credit, is an investment tax credit for new manufacturing projects that produce a “qualifying energy project.” In the context of the energy transition, manufacturing components for clean energy projects, energy storage technology, and grid technology are all considered qualified energy projects. Congress should expand the credit to be available to all qualifying projects, make the credit direct pay, and extend it for an additional ten years.

Expand the Advanced Manufacturing Production Tax Credit for renewable production. The Advanced Manufacturing Production Tax Credit, often referred to as the 45X credit, is a production tax credit that subsidizes the production of renewable energy components, batteries and critical minerals. The credit is paid to the manufacturer of those products, and the payout rate is different for each qualified product. Congress should expand the credit by increasing the payout rate for all qualifying products and making the credit direct pay.

President

Win the support of industry leaders and stakeholders. The success of the clean power national mission will depend on the president’s ability to entice manufacturers to actively lead it. Courting executives, directors, and top shareholders needs to start at the very beginning of the presidential transition and the president will need to develop personal relationships with key leaders.

Campaign on the success of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. Each completed RFC-backed infrastructure project should be highlighted as a win for the national mission. Publicizing these successes helps counterbalance the disproportionate attention government failures receive and connects the RFC to the everyday lives of Americans. Showcasing these milestones will strengthen public support for the RFC and the clean power national mission.

RFC

Invest in clean energy manufacturing projects. The RFC will make ambitious investments in new clean energy manufacturing capacity, with the goal of building supply chains for key technologies. The RFC will work with existing American manufacturers, international companies, and help launch new startups to grow capacity. The RFC will use all of its tools, including issuing purchase orders to guarantee demand, creating government-owned manufacturing facilities, or forming a spin-off corporation dedicated to clean energy manufacturing.

Monitor for gaps in the supply chains. Clean energy manufacturing is highly specialized, with different manufacturers focusing on specific components instead of producing entire technologies. This has led to a situation where some components are mass produced in the U.S. while others are scarce. For instance, while U.S. investments in solar modules are increasing, critical components like polysilicon and wafers remain reliant on imports due to higher capital costs. To reduce dependence on foreign suppliers, the RFC will track underdeveloped segments of the supply chain and aggressively invest in domestic manufacturing facilities.

Identify a “day one” investment in clean energy manufacturing. A “day one” investment of significant scale will demonstrate to the American people that the RFC is willing to make ambitious investments in clean energy manufacturing, and will encourage other private investors to seek out RFC financing for projects of their own. This “day one” investment by the RFC will be one of the most high profile investments the RFC will ever make, and its success or failure will greatly impact the future of the national mission for clean power.

Solution 4: Building New Clean Energy Generation

Congress

Expand the Clean Electricity Investment Credit. The Clean Electricity Investment Credit, also known as the 48E tax credit, is an investment tax credit for new clean energy projects. The credit supports investments in zero-emission power generation and storage by covering up to 30% of a project’s upfront costs. Congress should enhance the credit by increasing the payout rate for all qualifying products, making the credit direct pay, and extending the credit for an additional ten years.

Create a “Clean Energy for Environmental Justice Communities” grant program. Congress should create a new grant program that provides direct funding to new clean energy generation and new clean energy manufacturing projects in environmental justice (EJ) communities. EJ communities in this context will refer to low-income communities, communities failing to meet their Clean Air Act requirements, and communities with a recently retired fossil fuel generation site.

RFC

Invest in new clean energy projects. The Clean Power Team will evaluate projects, proactively seek investments in underserved communities, and address potential lags in private capital. It is essential that the RFC invests widely in as many different project types as possible and uses the full extent of their tools. The RFC will stay engaged with funded projects through completion, resolving issues with additional support as needed.

Overcome any bottlenecks in the deployment process that are preventing utilities from meeting their CES goals. The RFC Clean Power Team must identify and resolve bottlenecks preventing utilities from meeting CES goals by coordinating with the DOE and local utilities. If financial issues arise, the RFC can raise capital through investments or private financing, and address supply chain shortages by investing in domestic production or securing temporary imports. Beyond funding, the RFC must tackle non-financial barriers, such as interconnection delays, local conflicts, or regulatory challenges, by escalating issues to the president or executive agencies.

Line up a “day one” investment to unveil to the American people at the mission launch. As with other parts of this national mission, the RFC must have a “day one” investment lined up to present to the American people during the launch of the national mission. This investment will likely epitomize the mission for Americans, so the RFC must choose one that is likely to succeed but also important enough to be perceived as a big win by voters and the media when it is finished.

Invest widely in as many different types of clean energy projects as possible. The RFC should invest in a wide array of clean energy projects to diversify its portfolio and support the nation’s 100% clean energy goal. This approach reduces reliance on any single energy source, to mitigate the risk of technology-specific bottlenecks and encourages a diverse generation mix on the grid. Diversification also allows the RFC to back promising but underfunded technologies, such as next-generation geothermal, that face high upfront costs and uncertain outcomes. By financing these projects, the RFC can prove their viability, attract private investors, and drive innovation.

Use the Upgrade America Loan Program to help homeowners engage in the energy transition. The Upgrade America Loan Program (UALP), managed by the RFC, provides rebates and low-interest loans to help homeowners decarbonize their homes and vehicles. UALP financing can be used for rooftop solar installations, home energy storage, energy efficiency retrofits, and other investments that reduce a household’s emissions. Americans of all income levels will have access to UALP financing to participate in the energy transition.

Encourage homeowners to use UALP money to invest in residential solar and storage systems. Even after the Residential Solar Tax Credit, most homeowners must take out long-term loans to pay off the high cost of installing solar panels. The low-interest-rate loans under this program will allow homeowners to finance their investment at a much lower rate than what would likely be available on the private market.

Solution 5: Reforming Clean Energy Permitting

Congress

Establish an Office of Clean Technology Permitting within the DOE. Congress must streamline the review and permitting process by consolidating all federal environmental reviews and permits for qualifying clean energy projects into a new Office of Clean Technology Permitting (OCTP) within the DOE. The primary job of the OCTP will be to create and administer this new single federal review process and to issue permits for qualifying projects. Consolidating federal permitting and environmental reviews into a single environmental impact study conducted by the OCTP will reduce redundancies in the regulatory process and lead to faster approval times.

Set strict deadlines for OCTP reviews. Congress should mandate that the OCTP complete all environmental reviews within one year of receiving a proposal. This timeline would decrease the average review time by 75% from the current four-year average for NEPA reviews. If the OCTP cannot approve or deny a project within this timeline, they can request an additional 90-day extension from the relevant court. If the OCTP still can’t approve or deny the permit within those 90 days, the project will automatically receive a federal permit.

Limit the timeframe for legal challenges. Congress should set a 90-day deadline for all legal challenges to a project once the OCTP publishes its review and approves a project. This change will limit the number of superfluous lawsuits late into a project’s development while still leaving time for good-faith objections to a project.

Expand categorical exclusions. Categorical exclusions are actions that a federal agency has determined do not have a significant effect on the environment and, therefore, do not require further environmental review. Congress can streamline permitting for projects by creating a definitive and comprehensive list of exclusions for the new OCTP environmental review process. Existing exclusions should be applied, and new exclusions should be explored, such as for clean energy projects replacing decommissioned fossil fuel plants.

Allow for the president to set priority projects. Congress should empower the president to designate 25 “high-priority energy infrastructure projects” every six months to expedite permitting through the OCTP, FERC, NRC, or any other permitting body. Projects designated as high-priority will receive immediate attention and undergo an expedited review process.

Accelerate renewable deployment on public lands. Congress should pass an enhanced version of the Public Land Renewable Energy Development Act to accelerate renewable energy deployment on public lands. While the current 25 GW target by 2025 is a good start, Congress should extend the deployment timeline an additional ten years, aligning with Clean Energy Standard goals, and clarify that energy storage projects — both standalone and paired with generation — qualify for investment and leasing. To support the increased project volume, Congress must expand the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) capacity, ensuring it has the resources to expedite permitting and achieve the scale required for a clean energy transition.

President

Use the push for clean energy to break America’s “can’t do” culture. America has been overcome by a “can’t do” culture. For the Mission for America to succeed, the president must lead a deep cultural change throughout society. The president can frame the permitting reforms made in this solution as the first step towards making America a country that builds ambitious projects again.

Make the case for clean energy deployment and its benefits to the communities in which it is built - and take on bad faith actors directly. The President must actively advocate for clean energy deployment by engaging directly with communities where projects are being built and emphasizing the environmental, economic, and public health benefits of clean energy. This outreach is crucial in countering local opposition, especially when driven by misinformation or confusion, and rallying support among pro-climate constituents.

Emphasize the harm fossil fuels have on Americans - especially Americans in marginalized communities. The President should highlight the public health and economic harms of fossil fuels, especially their disproportionate impact on marginalized communities, to build support for clean energy. While many Americans understand the climate risks of fossil fuels, fewer recognize the direct harm to their health and well-being.

Appoint bold leaders at the OCTP. The President must appoint ambitious and experienced leaders to the OCTP, ensuring they are ready to act from day one. These appointees must balance a deep understanding of permitting and review processes with a sense of urgency to expedite clean energy projects while avoiding legal vulnerabilities or delays.

Executive Branch

Have a proactive strategy for deploying renewables on public lands. Once Congress authorizes new funding and targets for clean energy deployment on public lands, consistent and assertive executive leadership will be needed. Since most of the permitting will need to be approved by federal agencies, the president must appoint cabinet members willing to initiate ambitious projects and see them through.

Solution 6: Deploying New Energy Storage

Congress

Expand the Investment Tax Credit for standalone storage. The Storage Investment Tax Credit was passed in the Inflation Reduction Act and has a payout of 30% of the cost of a large-scale energy storage project, and up to 50% with additional incentives. The credit applies to projects of any size or duration. Congress should expand the credit by making the credit direct pay and create an increased payout rate for seasonal storage facilities.

Equip local and state governments with money to fund the deployment of energy storage. Congress should establish a new grant program, administered by the DOE, to fund small-scale energy storage deployment for state and local governments. Grants would equip public facilities — such as schools or fire stations — with energy storage technologies.

Require new vehicles and chargers to have Vehicle-to-Grid bidirectional capabilities. Congress should require that all EVs produced after 2029 come equipped with Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) bidirectional capabilities. This technology would allow EV batteries to store and supply power to the grid, significantly boosting grid storage capacity. Legislation must ensure EV owners can decide when and how their battery power is used, set charge limits, and establish minimum compensation for power supplied.

Create a Long-Term Capacity Tax Credit for seasonal green hydrogen storage facilities. Congress should create a Long-Term Capacity Tax Credit for seasonal green hydrogen storage facilities to compensate operators for their storage capacity, even during periods of inactivity. The credit would be based on the average annual kilograms of stored hydrogen, multiplied by a rate set by Congress. The credit would apply only to facilities storing green hydrogen. This incentive, alongside existing capacity payments, would encourage large-scale hydrogen storage development, ensuring that clean energy is available when needed.

Create a Strategic Hydrogen Reserve. Congress should create a Strategic Green Hydrogen Reserve (SHR), modeled after the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, to ensure reliable energy supply during national crises or periods of extreme demand. The SHR will use government-owned salt caverns to store green hydrogen, which can be converted to electricity using fuel cells.

Increase DOE investment in research and development of new Long-Duration Energy Storage and seasonal storage technologies. Congress should significantly increase funding for the DOE’s research and development of Long-Duration Energy Storage (LDES) and seasonal storage technologies. A focused and well-funded initiative is needed to accelerate storage R&D, prioritize market-ready projects, and establish a domestic manufacturing base for these technologies.

President

Introduce Americans to the concept of energy storage through the theme of “energy storage is energy security”. The President should introduce Americans to energy storage by framing it as essential to energy security. By connecting storage systems to widely shared concerns — such as blackouts during natural disasters — energy storage can become emotionally resonant to voters. Home energy storage should be presented as a safeguard for families during emergencies, while utility-scale storage can be described as a tool to keep entire communities powered.

Promise voters that home energy storage will be made widely accessible to every American — whether it be through a home battery or a bidirectional EV. The President should visit communities impacted by grid failures and promise that home energy storage will be made affordable and accessible to all Americans. These visits will highlight the urgency of grid security, educate Americans on the benefits of home energy storage, and explain how policies like the UALP can help families purchase these technologies.

Executive Branch

Retrofit executive branch buildings with on-site storage systems. The president should issue an executive order to retrofit federal buildings with small-scale energy storage capacity. This proposal would operate in tandem with our proposal to equip federal buildings with distributed renewable energy. The federal government should prioritize battery packs made in America, even if it involves a modest price premium, in order to support American battery manufacturing.

RFC

Finance the deployment of new energy storage systems — both large and small. The RFC should provide low-interest loans and financial assistance to support the deployment of energy storage systems nationwide, encompassing short-duration, long-duration, and seasonal storage technologies. While most investments will target utility-scale storage, the RFC should also finance small-scale storage projects, including loans for businesses seeking to add storage to distributed energy generation systems or as part of broader investment in companies involved in other parts of the transition.

Invest in the manufacturing and deployment of next-generation energy storage technologies. The RFC must partner with the DOE to identify and invest in the manufacturing and deployment of next-generation energy storage technologies. These technologies, while promising, often face delays in scaling due to high initial costs and the hesitancy of private investors to back new technologies. The RFC’s long-term investment model allows it to take bold bets on these technologies, helping manufacturers achieve economies of scale and accelerating deployment. By providing capital, placing purchase orders, or taking equity stakes, the RFC can help position the U.S. as a global leader in advanced energy storage, benefiting workers, private industry, and national security.