A Democratic bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the National Institutes of Clean Energy Act of 2026. It establishes the National Institutes of Clean Energy as an agency of the Department of Energy by January 1, 2030. The new agency is tasked with investing in clean energy science, climate science, innovation, and research and development. It supports demonstration projects, research areas underrepresented in federal funding, and studies on job impacts and frontline communities. The bill gives priority to developing technologies that minimize environmental harms and create high-quality jobs in vulnerable communities. It authorizes an appropriation of $400,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2036 to establish and operate the Institutes.
Yes· 3 of 23
- Scored +9
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?
The primary purpose of the bill is to invest heavily in clean energy science and technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Scored +9
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?
The bill establishes an agency dedicated to funding renewable energy sources, microgrids, energy storage, and advanced technologies.
- Scored +9
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The legislation authorizes $400 billion for clean energy science, climate science, and innovation over ten years.
The opposite
- Scored -6
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The legislation commits $400 billion in new authorized federal appropriations over a ten-year period.
- Scored -5
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?
The bill authorizes an appropriation of $400,000,000,000 for fiscal years 2027 through 2036, increasing federal spending.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2(c)(1)(A) could benefit individuals by investing in clean energy science and climate research to reduce emissions and build climate resilience.
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Section 2(c)(1)(B)(i) supports demonstration projects for clean energy, electric vehicles, and advanced technologies in hard-to-decarbonize sectors like aviation and shipping, which may advance overall energy innovation.
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Section 2(c)(1)(B)(ii) focuses research and development projects on the impacts of energy production in frontline communities, including communities of color and low-income communities that have faced environmental injustices.
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Section 2(c)(2)(A) prioritizes the development of technologies that minimize environmental harms, improve public health in vulnerable communities, and create high-quality jobs with strong labor standards.
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Section 2(c)(2)(D) directs research and development to public universities, land-grant colleges, minority-serving institutions, and historically Black colleges and universities, which could provide educational and financial benefits to these institutions and their students.
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Section 2(c)(2)(E) prioritizes research and development in geographic areas that experienced the worst job losses between 2018 and 2026, such as rural and deindustrialized areas.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 2(d) authorizes the appropriation of $400,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2036 to establish and operate the Institutes, which places a massive financial burden on taxpayers.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The bill directs investments toward frontline communities and minority-serving institutions, including historically Black colleges and universities. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill includes explicit focus on Brown and other communities of color disproportionately affected by environmental and economic injustices. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The legislation heavily prioritizes vulnerable and low-income communities historically impacted by environmental injustices and economic hardship. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The legislation addresses environmental injustices and economic impacts affecting Indigenous peoples. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The legislation prioritizes research and economic development in depopulated rural areas that have experienced severe job losses. Would students be better off under this? — The bill channels research funds directly to public universities, land-grant colleges, and minority-serving institutions. Would union members be better off under this? — The legislation focuses on workforce development and job creation in heavily unionized sectors and prioritizes high-quality jobs with strong labor standards. Would immigrants be better off under this? — The bill includes migrant communities among the vulnerable populations prioritized for environmental and health protections. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — People with disabilities are explicitly included among the vulnerable populations prioritized for public health and environmental protections.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — The bill establishes an agency dedicated to funding renewable energy sources, microgrids, energy storage, and advanced technologies. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — The primary purpose of the bill is to invest heavily in clean energy science and technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The legislation prioritizes the development of technologies that minimize environmental harms and build climate resilience. Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill prioritizes research and development in depopulated rural areas and geographic locations that experienced severe job losses.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The legislation authorizes $400 billion for clean energy science, climate science, and innovation over ten years. Does this put more money into public schools? — The bill directs research and development funding to public universities, colleges, and minority-serving institutions.
- Healthcare
- Does this put more money into medical research? — The legislation establishes the National Institutes of Clean Energy with a massive authorization of $400 billion for research and development. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill prioritizes technologies that improve public health outcomes in frontline, vulnerable, and disadvantaged communities.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill specifically targets research and development projects addressing environmental injustices affecting Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The legislation directs investments and economic revitalization toward low-income and disadvantaged communities.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill prioritizes research and development that creates high-quality jobs and supports workforce development in vulnerable communities. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Substantial investments in clean energy science and innovation are designed to drive technological advancement and economic development. Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise? — The legislation specifically focuses on job impacts and workforce development in heavily unionized workforce sectors. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The legislation commits $400 billion in new authorized federal appropriations over a ten-year period. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — The bill authorizes an appropriation of $400,000,000,000 for fiscal years 2027 through 2036, increasing federal spending.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill establishes a brand new federal agency under the Department of Energy backed by extensive funding.
- 9/30/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
5 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland