Don’t be fooled by the lack of “climate” in the policy title — the America COMPETES Act is just as important to addressing climate change as it is to its originally stated goal of strengthening U.S. international competitiveness. The legislation — which was passed in 2007, first reauthorized in 2010, and is up for reauthorization again this year — directly supports science and technology institutions that underpin the United States innovation infrastructure, including the development of clean energy.

The COMPETES Acts has supported clean energy innovation through creation of the DOE’s ARPA-E and proposed a long list of educational reforms. However, much more can be done and the COMPETES reauthorization presents a compelling opportunity to enhance energy research and further promote market deployment. In particular, the 2013 reauthorization should focus on introducing policy initiatives and reforms that can better translate energy research into the emerging clean energy economy.

ITIF has recently published 25 policy recommendations for reforming COMPETES, most of which directly impact climate and clean energy.  Continuing the R&D doubling path for core science programs, creating a spurring commercialization of our Nation’s research program to support technology commercialization initiatives and allowing the Department of Energy’s National Laboratories to take an equity stake in start-ups highlight ITIF’s recommendations and maximize COMPETES ability to meet its objectives.

What reforms related to clean energy science, research, and commercialization should be included in the 2013 COMPETES Reauthorization? How can the broader climate and clean energy community support reforming and reauthorizing COMPETES?