Ideas to Catalyze the Decarbonization of (Not-So) Hard-to-Abate Sectors

Top 3 vote-getters:

Expand regulatory pathways and fund research and development for next-generation zero-emissions aviation technologies

Contributors: Jennifer Macedonia, Carl Lennox, Madison Freeman

Summary: Proposes that the Biden-Harris Administration should 1) clarify and expand regulatory pathways for advanced low-emissions aviation technologies through the FAA to encourage the development of zero-emission flight and 2) through NASA, ARPA-E, and the new ARPA-C, the US should fund development and commercialization of aircraft and propulsion systems that can leverage next-generation fuels and energy carriers, including hydrogen and electricity.

Expand MARAD’s Existing Capital Construction Fund (“CCF”) Program to Implement a Low-Carbon Vessel CCF (“LCV-CCF”) Fleet Renewal Incentive

Contributors: Pace Ralli, Volckert van Reesema, Elias Van Sickle, Jack MacWilliams

Summary: Proposes leveraging the existing Capital Construction Fund (CCF) framework to create a program that would provide incremental tax benefits to vessel owners seeking to retrofit or expand their current fleet with low- or zero-carbon propulsion technology. This would provide U.S. shipowners much needed access to capital for fleet renewal and decarbonization.

Green shipping and ports policies to decarbonize domestic shipping and improve air quality

Contributors: Peder Osterkamp, Tristan Smith, Ph.D., Domagoj Baresic, Ph.D.

Summary: Proposes a series of policies to decarbonize domestic U.S. shipping while sharing best practices and aligning as much as possible with U.S. allies and neighbors. Key policy recommendations include:

1. Announce U.S. ambition to decarbonize domestic shipping emissions in line with Paris Agreement targets (achieving zero emissions from ships by 2035)
2. Set national policies that set absolute emission reduction targets for domestic shipping as well as require steady carbon equivalent intensity reductions for ships cruising U.S. waters and docking in U.S. ports.
3. Passing the Ocean Climate Based Solutions Act (OBSCA), which includes a draft Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (​MRV​) system for US shipping emissions, similar to an existing EU model.
4. Develop, in consultation with industry stakeholders and international partners, mid and long term policy plan linked to specific decarbonization outcomes.

Nominees:

Creation of Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Council (AMIC) and Expand Investment in the National Network of Manufacturing USA Institutes

Contributors: Nabil Nasr, Ph.D., Bill Grieco, Ph.D., Kelvin Lee, Ph.D., Gary Fedder, Ph.D.

Implementing a Diesel Replacement Investment Tax Credit to Parallel the Success of the Solar & Wind Investment Tax Credit (“ITC”) Program

Contributors: Pace Ralli, Volckert van Reesema, Elias Van Sickle, Jack MacWilliams

We welcome your examination of the full database here, which contains many more highly actionable ideas to help spark the clean economy.