The rationale for an extensive federal role in energy innovation, particularly with respect to clean energy sources such as nuclear and renewables, largely stems from the premise that there are insufficient market incentives for long-term clean energy R&D investments by industry and the private sector overall. Clean energy innovation policy is further complicated by the current energy market environment in the U.S.-subsidies for fossil fuel production far outweigh those for low-carbon nuclear and renewables generation. Although there are presently efforts to limit federal involvement in energy R&D to basic research, there are bipartisan and bicameral initiatives in Congress to maintain robust federal government support for clean energy innovation and facilitate public-private partnerships to ultimately bring these innovative technologies to market.
