---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 18611"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "18611"
heading: "Sense of Congress on accelerating energy innovation"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/18611"
units:
  - "Chapter 161 — Department of Energy Research and Innovation"
  - "Subchapter I — Laboratory Modernization and Technology Transfer"
---

# §18611. Sense of Congress on accelerating energy innovation


It is the sense of Congress that—

- (1) although important progress has been made in cost reduction and deployment of clean energy technologies, accelerating clean energy innovation will help meet critical competitiveness, energy security, and environmental goals;
- (2) accelerating the pace of clean energy innovation in the United States calls for—
  - (A) supporting existing research and development programs at the [Department](/usc/42/18601.md?p=1) and the world-class [National Laboratories](/usc/42/18601.md?p=3);
  - (B) exploring and developing new pathways for innovators, investors, and decision-makers to leverage the resources of the [Department](/usc/42/18601.md?p=1) for addressing the challenges and comparative strengths of geographic regions; and
  - (C) recognizing the financial constraints of the [Department](/usc/42/18601.md?p=1), regularly reviewing clean energy programs to ensure that taxpayer investments are maximized;
- (3) the energy supply, demand, policies, markets, and resource options of the United States vary by geographic region;
- (4) a regional approach to innovation can bridge the gaps between local talent, institutions, and industries to identify opportunities and convert United States investment into domestic companies; and
- (5) Congress, the [Secretary](/usc/42/18601.md?p=4), and energy industry participants should advance efforts that promote international, domestic, and regional cooperation on the research and development of energy innovations that—
  - (A) provide clean, affordable, and reliable energy for everyone;
  - (B) promote economic growth;
  - (C) are critical for energy security; and
  - (D) are sustainable without government support.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 115–246, title I, § 103, Sept. 28, 2018, 132 Stat. 3131.)