Request for Information: Clean Energy Investment Center, 10853-10856 [2016-04625]
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 41 / Wednesday, March 2, 2016 / Notices
GAN also incorporates your approved
application as part of your binding
commitments under the grant.
3. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a
grant under this competition, you must
ensure that you have in place the
necessary processes and systems to
comply with the reporting requirements
in 2 CFR part 170 should you receive
funding under the competition. This
does not apply if you have an exception
under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
(b) At the end of your project period,
you must submit a final performance
report, including financial information,
as directed by the Secretary. If you
receive a multiyear award, you must
submit an annual performance report
that provides the most current
performance and financial expenditure
information as directed by the Secretary
under 34 CFR 75.118. The Secretary
may also require more frequent
performance reports under 34 CFR
75.720(c). For specific requirements on
reporting, please go to www.ed.gov/
fund/grant/apply/appforms/
appforms.html.
4. Performance Measures: The
Secretary has established the following
key performance measures for assessing
the effectiveness of the NASNTI
Program:
a. The percentage change, over a fiveyear period, of the number of full-time,
degree-seeking undergraduates enrolling
at NASNTIs. Note that this is a longterm measure, which will be used to
periodically gauge performance;
b. The percentage of first-time, fulltime degree-seeking undergraduate
students at four-year NASNTIs who
were in their first year of postsecondary
enrollment in the previous year and are
enrolled in the current year at the same
NASNTI;
c. The percentage of first-time, fulltime degree-seeking undergraduate
students at two-year NASNTIs who
were in their first year of postsecondary
enrollment in the previous year and are
enrolled in the current year at the same
NASNTI;
d. The percentage of first-time, fulltime degree-seeking undergraduate
students enrolled at four-year NASNTIs
who graduate within six years of
enrollment; and
e. The percentage of first-time, fulltime degree-seeking undergraduate
students enrolled at two-year NASNTIs
who graduate within three years of
enrollment.
5. Continuation Awards: In making a
continuation award under 34 CFR
75.253, the Secretary considers, among
other things: Whether a grantee has
made substantial progress in achieving
the goals and objectives of the project;
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whether the grantee has expended funds
in a manner that is consistent with its
approved application and budget; and,
if the Secretary has established
performance measurement
requirements, the performance targets in
the grantee’s approved application.
In making a continuation award, the
Secretary also considers whether the
grantee is operating in compliance with
the assurances in its approved
application, including those applicable
to Federal civil rights laws that prohibit
discrimination in programs or activities
receiving Federal financial assistance
from the Department (34 CFR 100.4,
104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
VII. Agency Contacts
Don
Crews, U.S. Department of Education,
400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room
7E311, Washington, DC 20202. You may
contact this individual at the following
email address or telephone number:
Don.Crews@ed.gov; (202) 453–7920. If
you use a TDD or a TTY, call the FRS,
toll free, at 1–800–877–8339.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
VIII. Other Information
Accessible Format: Individuals with
disabilities can obtain this document
and a copy of the application package in
an accessible format (e.g., braille, large
print, audiotape, or compact disc) on
request to the program contact persons
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT in section VII of this notice.
Electronic Access to This Document:
The official version of this document is
the document published in the Federal
Register. Free Internet access to the
official edition of the Federal Register
and the Code of Federal Regulations is
available via the Federal Digital System
at: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site you
can view this document, as well as all
other documents of this Department
published in the Federal Register, in
text or PDF. To use PDF you must have
Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is
available free at the site.
You may also access documents of the
Department published in the Federal
Register by using the article search
feature at: www.federalregister.gov.
Specifically, through the advanced
search feature at this site, you can limit
your search to documents published by
the Department.
Dated: February 26, 2016.
Lynn Mahaffie,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy,
Planning and Innovation Delegated the Duties
of Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary
Education.
[FR Doc. 2016–04593 Filed 3–1–16; 8:45 am]
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10853
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Request for Information: Clean Energy
Investment Center
Department of Energy (DOE).
Request for Information (RFI).
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The U.S. Department of
Energy’s (DOE or the Department) Clean
Energy Investment Center (CEIC), a
component of the Office of Technology
Transitions, is issuing this Request for
Information (RFI) to gain public input
on its efforts to expand and facilitate
public access to the Department’s
resources and to mobilize investment in
U.S. clean energy technology. The CEIC
also is seeking information through this
RFI to further define the scope and
priorities of the services it provides to
the general public, specifically to
mission-driven investors, as well as the
investment community more broadly.
The information collected may be used
for internal CEIC planning and decisionmaking to ensure that future activities
maximize public benefit while
advancing the Administration’s goals for
leading the world in building a
competitive, clean energy economy;
securing America’s energy future;
reducing carbon pollution; and creating
domestic jobs.
DATES: Written comments and
information are requested on or before
March 31, 2016.
ADDRESSES: Comments must be
submitted electronically to CEIC@
hq.doe.gov. Responses must be provided
as a Microsoft Word (.doc) or (.docx)
attachment to the email with no more
than 3 pages in length for each category
section listed in the RFI. Only electronic
responses will be accepted.
Response Guidance: Please identify
your answers by responding to a
specific question or topic if possible.
Respondents may answer as many or as
few questions as they wish.
The CEIC will not respond to
individual submissions or publish a
public compendium of responses. A
response to this RFI will not be viewed
as a binding commitment to develop or
pursue the project or ideas discussed.
Respondents are requested to provide
the following information at the start of
their response to this RFI:
• Company/institution name;
• Company/institution contact;
• Contact’s address, phone number,
and email address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Requests for additional information may
be submitted electronically to Marcos
Gonzales Harsha at CEIC@hq.doe.gov or
by contacting the Department of Energy
at 202–586–5000.
SUMMARY:
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background: In February 2015, the
White House launched the Clean Energy
Investment Initiative to catalyze
expanded private sector investment in
climate change solutions, including
innovative technologies with
breakthrough potential to reduce carbon
pollution. To support this initiative, the
Department of Energy formally
launched the DOE Clean Energy
Investment Center (CEIC) in January
2016, with the mandate to make the
Department’s resources more readily
available and understandable to the
public and to create pathways that
enable expanded access to the unique
technical expertise and analytical
capabilities within DOE’s programs,
sites, and 17 national laboratories
located across the country. The CEIC’s
goal is to advance private, missionoriented investment in clean energy
technologies that address the present
gap in U.S. clean tech investment. The
CEIC is also charged with enhancing the
availability of the Department’s
resources to investors and the public.
To advance this mission, DOE
supports a variety of commercialization
and deployment activities in
partnership with its national
laboratories, universities, businesses,
and nonprofit organizations. Existing
programs include the Loan Programs
Office, Advanced Research Projects
Agency-Energy, Small Business
Vouchers, Small Business Innovation
Research/Small Business Technology
Transfer, Lab Corps, Gateway for
Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear
Technologies, and the Technology
Commercialization Fund. For more
information on existing programs, visit:
https://energy.gov/technologytransitions/
us-department-energys-clean-energyinvestment-center.
However, recent investment trends
are cause for some concern. According
to Bloomberg New Energy Finance,
global clean energy investment has
grown significantly over the last 10
years but slowed and even plateaued
starting in 2009. Meanwhile, early-stage
cleantech investment (a primary driver
of innovation) has steadily fallen in
recent years. The constrained level of
investment in clean energy in recent
years represents a significant hurdle for
commercialization and deployment of
emerging technologies with gamechanging potential. The CEIC’s role is to
enable domestic investment with global
impact. This role can take many forms
and the next section discusses strategic
areas where the CEIC can contribute.
Fresh impetus for designing a robust
CEIC arrived on December 12, 2015,
when an historic climate agreement was
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adopted by 195 nations at the United
Nations climate summit in Paris,
France. The goals and principles framed
in that agreement, as well as the
accompanying ‘‘intended nationally
determined contributions’’ that defined
targets for emission reductions and
clean energy investment for each
participating nation, will only be
achievable with substantial private
capital investment. This fact was
explicitly recognized through the
announcement of a public-private
Mission Innovation partnership, in
which 20 nations announced their
intent to double public clean energy
research and development (R&D)
spending over the next five years.
These announcements and
commitments present a tremendous
opportunity for forward-looking
investors, and the CEIC is working to
utilize DOE’s considerable resources
and expertise to support the investor
community as it gathers information,
develops investment principles and
policies, and identifies clean energy
technology investment opportunities.
The questions posed in this RFI
primarily address the specific services
and tools the CEIC can develop to
maximize value of DOE engagement
with the investment community and
support clean energy investment
decision making by the public.
Purpose: The purpose of this RFI is to
solicit feedback from industry,
academia, research laboratories,
government agencies, and other
stakeholders to assist the Office of
Technology Transitions with further
defining the scope and priorities of the
services the CEIC will provide. This is
solely a request for information. The
CEIC is not accepting applications at
this time.
Disclaimer and Important Notes: This
RFI is not a Funding Opportunity
Announcement (FOA) or request for
proposals (RFP) for a procurement
contract; therefore, the CEIC is not
accepting applications or proposals at
this time. The CEIC may develop
programs in the future and solicit
contracts based on or related to the
content and responses to this RFI.
However, CEIC may also elect not to
incorporate responses into its program
and tool design. There is no guarantee
that an RFP or FOA will be issued as a
result of this RFI. Responding to this
RFI does not provide any advantage or
disadvantage to potential applicants if
the CEIC chooses to issue a FOA or
solicit a contract related to the subject
matter.
Any information obtained through
this RFI is intended to be used by the
government on a non-attribution basis
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for planning and strategy development.
The CEIC will review and consider all
responses as it formulates program
strategies related to the subjects within
this request. In accordance with Federal
Acquisition Regulations, 48 CFR
15.201(e), responses to this notice are
not offers and cannot be accepted by the
government to form a binding contract.
The CEIC will not provide
reimbursement for costs incurred in
responding to this RFI. Respondents are
advised that DOE is under no obligation
to acknowledge receipt of the
information received or provide
feedback to respondents with respect to
any information submitted. Responses
to this RFI do not bind the CEIC to any
further actions related to this topic.
Proprietary Information: Because
information received in response to this
RFI may be used to structure future
programs and/or otherwise be made
available to the public, respondents
must NOT include any information in
their responses that might be considered
business sensitive, proprietary, or
otherwise confidential. Responses must
be submitted with the understanding
that their contents may be publicly
disclosed and, in the event of a public
disclosure, DOE will NOT notify
respondents or provide any opportunity
to revise or redact submitted
information.
Review by Federal and Non-Federal
Personnel: Federal employees are
subject to the non-disclosure
requirements of a criminal statute, the
Trade Secrets Act, 18 U.S.C. 1905. The
government may seek the advice of
qualified non-federal personnel. The
government may also use non-federal
personnel to conduct routine, nondiscretionary administrative activities.
The respondents, by submitting their
response(s), consent to DOE providing
their response(s) to non-federal parties.
Non-federal parties given access to
responses must be subject to an
appropriate obligation of confidentiality
prior to being given the access.
Submissions may be reviewed by
support contractors and private
consultants.
Request for Information Categories
and Questions:
Category 1: Information Access
Background/Context
The Department already has
numerous programs designed to help
U.S. energy innovation stakeholders
cross the technological and financial
‘‘valleys of death’’ to bring new
technology solutions to the market.
However, there may be opportunities to
expand public awareness of these
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programs raise the profile of individual
projects/companies with investors by
providing information about existing
awardees supported by DOE and,
potentially, about unsuccessful
applicants who agree to have their
information shared.
This approach is reflective of other
agencies that have relevant programs
and connections to the clean energy
investment space, including activities at
the Departments of Agriculture and
Transportation, the Environmental
Protection Agency, the Overseas Private
Investment Corporation and the ExportImport Bank. While the CEIC will not be
in a position to represent the work of
these organizations, the Center may still
serve as a helpful conduit to non-DOE
programs.
Information Requested
The following questions may guide,
but should not restrict, responses:
1. What type of information would be
most useful to investors and
organizations serving investors
(information on individual awardees,
market analysis, DOE-funded project
and patent listings, indication of project
results and/or others)? Specificity is
welcomed.
2. Would a single internet location
that provides a searchable web-based
interface containing information about
active programs (and, potentially,
awardees and applicants) be a highvalue tool? Are there any examples of
similar tools/databases that you
consider to be useful? How would such
a tool benefit the market in general?
What elements would need to be
included to ensure that this is a useful
tool?
3. Are there any current DOE or other
federal programs that help innovators
bring technologies to market (financial
or technical assistance)? If so, how and
where do investors learn about it/them?
4. Is information on DOE open
funding opportunity announcements,
requests for proposals, and lists of
awardees readily available and
accessible in a useful format?
5. Currently, most DOE offices and
programs have active Web sites. Are
they useful to investors and provide
necessary information?
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Category 2: Technical Energy Expertise
Background/Context
DOE’s national laboratory system
maintains vital scientific and
technological capabilities in support of
U.S. national security, scientific
discovery, and economic
competitiveness. The laboratories offer
unique opportunities for the private
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sector to engage in collaborative
research and development, licensing
agreements, user facilities, and to obtain
technical assistance. The recent
establishment of DOE’s Office of
Technology Transitions has heightened
the Department’s focus on improving
coordination and effectiveness of the
national laboratories in executing their
technology transfer missions. As part of
the suite of services that the CEIC may
offer, the Department is considering
development of an online portal that
would connect public inquiries with
relevant experts within DOE’s programs
and at its 17 national laboratories.
The technical expertise resident at the
national labs is complemented by
program knowledge within DOE
program offices. The Department
recently released the 2015 Quadrennial
Technology Review, a study that
examines the most promising research,
development, demonstration, and
deployment opportunities across energy
technologies to effectively address the
nation’s energy needs, and the
Department conducts ongoing reviews
on the state of technologies.
Though the Department is not in a
position to recommend specific
investments to private investors, the
experts at the Department’s laboratories
and programs are uniquely positioned to
provide insight into the latest clean
energy technology discoveries and
emerging deployment trends.
Information Requested
The following questions may guide,
but should not restrict, responses:
1. Is sufficient information available
to investors about the clean energy
technology landscape?
Æ If not, what are key areas of
research, analysis, or information
sharing that would most contribute to
better understanding the clean energy
technology landscape and markets?
Æ Are there any existing modes or
channels of communication that the
Department could use to reach a larger
audience?
Æ Would case studies about project/
company development made possible
through DOE funding be useful?
2. DOE undertakes market analysis
and mapping of technology
development pathways. However, are
there other key areas of research and
analysis that would lead to a better
understanding of challenge areas, broad
technical risk, and the current state of
clean energy technologies that DOE
could conduct?
3. How can the CEIC and the
Department better match existing
national laboratory resources and
expertise with the needs of investors?
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10855
4. Are clean energy investors aware of
the resources/expertise available at the
national laboratories? Do investors
know how to access the people and
capabilities around the national
laboratory complex? If so, do investors
reach out for information and technical
assistance?
5. Do investors view DOE program
and national laboratory employees as
subject matter experts? Have investors
ever tried to obtain information directly
from DOE or any of the 17 laboratories?
If so, are there best practices or lessons
learned that can be shared?
6. Would a searchable web-based
interface that facilitates connections
between investors and technical experts
at DOE’s programs and national
laboratories be a high-value tool? Do
investors have any examples of similar
tools/databases that may be useful? If
implemented correctly, could such a
tool lead to more and/or improved clean
energy investment deals? What
questions remain that would need to be
answered to determine the usefulness of
the tool?
7. What publications/organizations/
methods do investors currently consult
or regard as possessing expertise in
specialized information on clean energy
technology? As applicable, please
specify sources used for technical
review, market review, etc.
Category 3: Stakeholder Engagement
and Communications
Background/Context
Many organizations outside of the
government are already working to
provide information exchanges
regarding clean energy technologies and
partnering on shared objectives.
However, the Department provides a
powerful convening and
communication forum for facilitated
engagement between the government
and the investment community. The
joint public-private Mission Innovation
announcement, during which 28 highnet-worth individuals from 10 countries
announced their intent to commit
billions of dollars to clean energy R&D
through an initiative of the
Breakthrough Energy Coalition, is an
example of the importance of a direct
public role in spurring activity. The
CEIC is able to build on this convening
ability, and events such as Innovation
Interface sessions can be resources for
sharing information about the
Department’s program offices. In this
section, the CEIC is interested in
learning more about where clean energy
investors gather regionally and
nationally, and how and where they
prefer to receive information.
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Information Requested
The following questions may guide,
but should not restrict, responses:
1. Do clean energy investors see value
in participating in a structured visit to
DOE and/or any of its facilities/
laboratories? What kind of information
would be most useful to obtain/learn
about during such a visit?
2. Are you aware of/do you represent
any organization(s) in the clean energy
field that would be able to provide
useful information to the CEIC team?
What events present the best
opportunities for the CEIC to engage in
valuable dialogue/interactions, inform
the general public about the clean
energy landscape, and/or connect with
new or prospective investors? In which
events, conferences, or settings would
you like to see CEIC participation?
3. What kinds of communication
channels are most useful/effective?
What is the best way for investors and
the public to receive information and
updates?
4. Do investors obtain most of your
information from academic articles, data
aggregators, analytical and advisory
firms, or other sources? Where do
investors search for information
pertaining to innovations, early stage
research, or clean energy investment?
5. Are there any other successful
federal or non-federal models for
engagement and communication that
should be adopted by the CEIC?
Category 4: Open
Background/Context
The CEIC recognizes that there may be
tools and services other than those
discussed in this RFI that may be useful
to investors. This category serves as an
open call for suggestions on how to
effectively align the CEIC and its
programs with the needs of its
customers (the public, investors, and
industry) and overarching
Administration goals.
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Information Requested
The following questions may guide,
but should not restrict, responses:
1. What are the greatest concerns with
investing in the clean energy technology
space? What sort of information/
assistance would provide greater
comfort with this category?
2. In general, how can the CEIC (and
the federal government more broadly)
most effectively help to catalyze further
clean energy investment? In particular,
how can CEIC most effectively advance
the following goals:
a. Unlock new sources of capital and
foster more effective investment models
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to scale innovative clean energy
companies;
b. Facilitate match-making between
early-stage companies and potential
investors and customers;
c. Support the development of
innovative marketplaces for early-stage
investment, including crowd-funding
platforms;
d. Enhance activity and engagement
with corporate investors/strategic
investors, including utilities;
e. Catalyze the formation of long-term,
patient capital funds for energy
technology development;
f. Leverage philanthropic capital
through program-related investments,
mission-related investments, and other
mechanisms;
g. Encourage more clean energy
venture dollars focused on U.S.-based
companies with high potential for
domestic economic benefit; and
h. Leverage existing programs (e.g.,
SBIR) to be of best use to the clean
energy investment community.
3. Is there any other information,
other approaches, or other data that
would be useful to investors?
4. Are there any other tools that
would be useful to investors or key
stakeholders that were not discussed
above?
5. What are the greatest challenges
when it comes to investing in clean
energy?
6. Is there any information about
investment principles and/or
investment policy statements as it
pertains to clean energy investments
that could be shared with other
investors and the public?
7. What DOE (or other state/federal)
finance and commercialization
programs are available, and should
anything about them be changed to
enhance their utility?
ACTION:
Notice.
The Environmental Protection
Agency is planning to submit an
information collection request (ICR),
‘‘Collection of Information on Anaerobic
Digestion Facilities Processing Wasted
Food to support EPA’s Sustainable Food
Management Programs’’ (EPA ICR No.
2533.01, OMB Control No. 2050–NEW)
to the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) for review and approval in
accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
Before doing so, EPA is soliciting public
comments on specific aspects of the
proposed information collection as
described below. This is a request for
approval of a new collection. An
Agency may not conduct or sponsor,
and a person is not required to respond
to, a collection of information unless it
displays a currently valid OMB control
number.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on
or before May 2, 2016.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
referencing Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–
RCRA–2015–0836 online using
www.regulations.gov or by mail to: EPA
Docket Center, Environmental
Protection Agency, Mail Code 228221T,
1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.,
Washington, DC 20460.
EPA’s policy is that all comments
received will be included in the public
docket without change including any
personal information provided, unless
the comment includes profanity, threats,
information claimed to be Confidential
Business Information (CBI) or other
information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Melissa Pennington, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Region 3, Mail Code
Issued in Washington, DC, on February 25, 3LC40, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia,
PA 19103; telephone number: 215–814–
2016.
3372; fax number: 215–814–3114; email
Sanjiv Malhotra,
address: pennington.melissa@epa.gov.
Director, Clean Energy Investment Center.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[FR Doc. 2016–04625 Filed 3–1–16; 8:45 am]
Supporting documents which explain in
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
detail the information that the EPA will
be collecting are available in the public
docket for this ICR. The docket can be
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
viewed online at www.regulations.gov
AGENCY
or in person at the EPA Docket Center,
[EPA–HQ–RCRA–2015–0836; FRL–9943–12– WJC West, Room 3334, 1301
Region 3]
Constitution Ave. NW., Washington,
DC. The telephone number for the
Proposed Information Collection
Docket Center is 202–566–1744. For
Request; Comment Request;
Collection of Information on Anaerobic additional information about EPA’s
Digestion Facilities Processing Wasted public docket, visit https://www.epa.gov/
dockets.
Food To Support EPA’s Sustainable
Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of
Food Management Programs
the PRA, EPA is soliciting comments
and information to enable it to: (i)
AGENCY: Environmental Protection
Evaluate whether the proposed
Agency (EPA).
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SUMMARY:
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[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 41 (Wednesday, March 2, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10853-10856]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04625]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Request for Information: Clean Energy Investment Center
AGENCY: Department of Energy (DOE).
ACTION: Request for Information (RFI).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE or the Department) Clean
Energy Investment Center (CEIC), a component of the Office of
Technology Transitions, is issuing this Request for Information (RFI)
to gain public input on its efforts to expand and facilitate public
access to the Department's resources and to mobilize investment in U.S.
clean energy technology. The CEIC also is seeking information through
this RFI to further define the scope and priorities of the services it
provides to the general public, specifically to mission-driven
investors, as well as the investment community more broadly. The
information collected may be used for internal CEIC planning and
decision-making to ensure that future activities maximize public
benefit while advancing the Administration's goals for leading the
world in building a competitive, clean energy economy; securing
America's energy future; reducing carbon pollution; and creating
domestic jobs.
DATES: Written comments and information are requested on or before
March 31, 2016.
ADDRESSES: Comments must be submitted electronically to
CEIC@hq.doe.gov. Responses must be provided as a Microsoft Word (.doc)
or (.docx) attachment to the email with no more than 3 pages in length
for each category section listed in the RFI. Only electronic responses
will be accepted.
Response Guidance: Please identify your answers by responding to a
specific question or topic if possible. Respondents may answer as many
or as few questions as they wish.
The CEIC will not respond to individual submissions or publish a
public compendium of responses. A response to this RFI will not be
viewed as a binding commitment to develop or pursue the project or
ideas discussed.
Respondents are requested to provide the following information at
the start of their response to this RFI:
Company/institution name;
Company/institution contact;
Contact's address, phone number, and email address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information
may be submitted electronically to Marcos Gonzales Harsha at
CEIC@hq.doe.gov or by contacting the Department of Energy at 202-586-
5000.
[[Page 10854]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background: In February 2015, the White House launched the Clean
Energy Investment Initiative to catalyze expanded private sector
investment in climate change solutions, including innovative
technologies with breakthrough potential to reduce carbon pollution. To
support this initiative, the Department of Energy formally launched the
DOE Clean Energy Investment Center (CEIC) in January 2016, with the
mandate to make the Department's resources more readily available and
understandable to the public and to create pathways that enable
expanded access to the unique technical expertise and analytical
capabilities within DOE's programs, sites, and 17 national laboratories
located across the country. The CEIC's goal is to advance private,
mission-oriented investment in clean energy technologies that address
the present gap in U.S. clean tech investment. The CEIC is also charged
with enhancing the availability of the Department's resources to
investors and the public.
To advance this mission, DOE supports a variety of
commercialization and deployment activities in partnership with its
national laboratories, universities, businesses, and nonprofit
organizations. Existing programs include the Loan Programs Office,
Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, Small Business Vouchers,
Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer,
Lab Corps, Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear Technologies,
and the Technology Commercialization Fund. For more information on
existing programs, visit: https://energy.gov/technologytransitions/us-department-energys-clean-energy-investment-center.
However, recent investment trends are cause for some concern.
According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, global clean energy
investment has grown significantly over the last 10 years but slowed
and even plateaued starting in 2009. Meanwhile, early-stage cleantech
investment (a primary driver of innovation) has steadily fallen in
recent years. The constrained level of investment in clean energy in
recent years represents a significant hurdle for commercialization and
deployment of emerging technologies with game-changing potential. The
CEIC's role is to enable domestic investment with global impact. This
role can take many forms and the next section discusses strategic areas
where the CEIC can contribute.
Fresh impetus for designing a robust CEIC arrived on December 12,
2015, when an historic climate agreement was adopted by 195 nations at
the United Nations climate summit in Paris, France. The goals and
principles framed in that agreement, as well as the accompanying
``intended nationally determined contributions'' that defined targets
for emission reductions and clean energy investment for each
participating nation, will only be achievable with substantial private
capital investment. This fact was explicitly recognized through the
announcement of a public-private Mission Innovation partnership, in
which 20 nations announced their intent to double public clean energy
research and development (R&D) spending over the next five years.
These announcements and commitments present a tremendous
opportunity for forward-looking investors, and the CEIC is working to
utilize DOE's considerable resources and expertise to support the
investor community as it gathers information, develops investment
principles and policies, and identifies clean energy technology
investment opportunities. The questions posed in this RFI primarily
address the specific services and tools the CEIC can develop to
maximize value of DOE engagement with the investment community and
support clean energy investment decision making by the public.
Purpose: The purpose of this RFI is to solicit feedback from
industry, academia, research laboratories, government agencies, and
other stakeholders to assist the Office of Technology Transitions with
further defining the scope and priorities of the services the CEIC will
provide. This is solely a request for information. The CEIC is not
accepting applications at this time.
Disclaimer and Important Notes: This RFI is not a Funding
Opportunity Announcement (FOA) or request for proposals (RFP) for a
procurement contract; therefore, the CEIC is not accepting applications
or proposals at this time. The CEIC may develop programs in the future
and solicit contracts based on or related to the content and responses
to this RFI. However, CEIC may also elect not to incorporate responses
into its program and tool design. There is no guarantee that an RFP or
FOA will be issued as a result of this RFI. Responding to this RFI does
not provide any advantage or disadvantage to potential applicants if
the CEIC chooses to issue a FOA or solicit a contract related to the
subject matter.
Any information obtained through this RFI is intended to be used by
the government on a non-attribution basis for planning and strategy
development. The CEIC will review and consider all responses as it
formulates program strategies related to the subjects within this
request. In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations, 48 CFR
15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be
accepted by the government to form a binding contract. The CEIC will
not provide reimbursement for costs incurred in responding to this RFI.
Respondents are advised that DOE is under no obligation to acknowledge
receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents
with respect to any information submitted. Responses to this RFI do not
bind the CEIC to any further actions related to this topic.
Proprietary Information: Because information received in response
to this RFI may be used to structure future programs and/or otherwise
be made available to the public, respondents must NOT include any
information in their responses that might be considered business
sensitive, proprietary, or otherwise confidential. Responses must be
submitted with the understanding that their contents may be publicly
disclosed and, in the event of a public disclosure, DOE will NOT notify
respondents or provide any opportunity to revise or redact submitted
information.
Review by Federal and Non-Federal Personnel: Federal employees are
subject to the non-disclosure requirements of a criminal statute, the
Trade Secrets Act, 18 U.S.C. 1905. The government may seek the advice
of qualified non-federal personnel. The government may also use non-
federal personnel to conduct routine, non-discretionary administrative
activities. The respondents, by submitting their response(s), consent
to DOE providing their response(s) to non-federal parties. Non-federal
parties given access to responses must be subject to an appropriate
obligation of confidentiality prior to being given the access.
Submissions may be reviewed by support contractors and private
consultants.
Request for Information Categories and Questions:
Category 1: Information Access
Background/Context
The Department already has numerous programs designed to help U.S.
energy innovation stakeholders cross the technological and financial
``valleys of death'' to bring new technology solutions to the market.
However, there may be opportunities to expand public awareness of these
[[Page 10855]]
programs raise the profile of individual projects/companies with
investors by providing information about existing awardees supported by
DOE and, potentially, about unsuccessful applicants who agree to have
their information shared.
This approach is reflective of other agencies that have relevant
programs and connections to the clean energy investment space,
including activities at the Departments of Agriculture and
Transportation, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Overseas
Private Investment Corporation and the Export-Import Bank. While the
CEIC will not be in a position to represent the work of these
organizations, the Center may still serve as a helpful conduit to non-
DOE programs.
Information Requested
The following questions may guide, but should not restrict,
responses:
1. What type of information would be most useful to investors and
organizations serving investors (information on individual awardees,
market analysis, DOE-funded project and patent listings, indication of
project results and/or others)? Specificity is welcomed.
2. Would a single internet location that provides a searchable web-
based interface containing information about active programs (and,
potentially, awardees and applicants) be a high-value tool? Are there
any examples of similar tools/databases that you consider to be useful?
How would such a tool benefit the market in general? What elements
would need to be included to ensure that this is a useful tool?
3. Are there any current DOE or other federal programs that help
innovators bring technologies to market (financial or technical
assistance)? If so, how and where do investors learn about it/them?
4. Is information on DOE open funding opportunity announcements,
requests for proposals, and lists of awardees readily available and
accessible in a useful format?
5. Currently, most DOE offices and programs have active Web sites.
Are they useful to investors and provide necessary information?
Category 2: Technical Energy Expertise
Background/Context
DOE's national laboratory system maintains vital scientific and
technological capabilities in support of U.S. national security,
scientific discovery, and economic competitiveness. The laboratories
offer unique opportunities for the private sector to engage in
collaborative research and development, licensing agreements, user
facilities, and to obtain technical assistance. The recent
establishment of DOE's Office of Technology Transitions has heightened
the Department's focus on improving coordination and effectiveness of
the national laboratories in executing their technology transfer
missions. As part of the suite of services that the CEIC may offer, the
Department is considering development of an online portal that would
connect public inquiries with relevant experts within DOE's programs
and at its 17 national laboratories.
The technical expertise resident at the national labs is
complemented by program knowledge within DOE program offices. The
Department recently released the 2015 Quadrennial Technology Review, a
study that examines the most promising research, development,
demonstration, and deployment opportunities across energy technologies
to effectively address the nation's energy needs, and the Department
conducts ongoing reviews on the state of technologies.
Though the Department is not in a position to recommend specific
investments to private investors, the experts at the Department's
laboratories and programs are uniquely positioned to provide insight
into the latest clean energy technology discoveries and emerging
deployment trends.
Information Requested
The following questions may guide, but should not restrict,
responses:
1. Is sufficient information available to investors about the clean
energy technology landscape?
[cir] If not, what are key areas of research, analysis, or
information sharing that would most contribute to better understanding
the clean energy technology landscape and markets?
[cir] Are there any existing modes or channels of communication
that the Department could use to reach a larger audience?
[cir] Would case studies about project/company development made
possible through DOE funding be useful?
2. DOE undertakes market analysis and mapping of technology
development pathways. However, are there other key areas of research
and analysis that would lead to a better understanding of challenge
areas, broad technical risk, and the current state of clean energy
technologies that DOE could conduct?
3. How can the CEIC and the Department better match existing
national laboratory resources and expertise with the needs of
investors?
4. Are clean energy investors aware of the resources/expertise
available at the national laboratories? Do investors know how to access
the people and capabilities around the national laboratory complex? If
so, do investors reach out for information and technical assistance?
5. Do investors view DOE program and national laboratory employees
as subject matter experts? Have investors ever tried to obtain
information directly from DOE or any of the 17 laboratories? If so, are
there best practices or lessons learned that can be shared?
6. Would a searchable web-based interface that facilitates
connections between investors and technical experts at DOE's programs
and national laboratories be a high-value tool? Do investors have any
examples of similar tools/databases that may be useful? If implemented
correctly, could such a tool lead to more and/or improved clean energy
investment deals? What questions remain that would need to be answered
to determine the usefulness of the tool?
7. What publications/organizations/methods do investors currently
consult or regard as possessing expertise in specialized information on
clean energy technology? As applicable, please specify sources used for
technical review, market review, etc.
Category 3: Stakeholder Engagement and Communications
Background/Context
Many organizations outside of the government are already working to
provide information exchanges regarding clean energy technologies and
partnering on shared objectives. However, the Department provides a
powerful convening and communication forum for facilitated engagement
between the government and the investment community. The joint public-
private Mission Innovation announcement, during which 28 high-net-worth
individuals from 10 countries announced their intent to commit billions
of dollars to clean energy R&D through an initiative of the
Breakthrough Energy Coalition, is an example of the importance of a
direct public role in spurring activity. The CEIC is able to build on
this convening ability, and events such as Innovation Interface
sessions can be resources for sharing information about the
Department's program offices. In this section, the CEIC is interested
in learning more about where clean energy investors gather regionally
and nationally, and how and where they prefer to receive information.
[[Page 10856]]
Information Requested
The following questions may guide, but should not restrict,
responses:
1. Do clean energy investors see value in participating in a
structured visit to DOE and/or any of its facilities/laboratories? What
kind of information would be most useful to obtain/learn about during
such a visit?
2. Are you aware of/do you represent any organization(s) in the
clean energy field that would be able to provide useful information to
the CEIC team? What events present the best opportunities for the CEIC
to engage in valuable dialogue/interactions, inform the general public
about the clean energy landscape, and/or connect with new or
prospective investors? In which events, conferences, or settings would
you like to see CEIC participation?
3. What kinds of communication channels are most useful/effective?
What is the best way for investors and the public to receive
information and updates?
4. Do investors obtain most of your information from academic
articles, data aggregators, analytical and advisory firms, or other
sources? Where do investors search for information pertaining to
innovations, early stage research, or clean energy investment?
5. Are there any other successful federal or non-federal models for
engagement and communication that should be adopted by the CEIC?
Category 4: Open
Background/Context
The CEIC recognizes that there may be tools and services other than
those discussed in this RFI that may be useful to investors. This
category serves as an open call for suggestions on how to effectively
align the CEIC and its programs with the needs of its customers (the
public, investors, and industry) and overarching Administration goals.
Information Requested
The following questions may guide, but should not restrict,
responses:
1. What are the greatest concerns with investing in the clean
energy technology space? What sort of information/assistance would
provide greater comfort with this category?
2. In general, how can the CEIC (and the federal government more
broadly) most effectively help to catalyze further clean energy
investment? In particular, how can CEIC most effectively advance the
following goals:
a. Unlock new sources of capital and foster more effective
investment models to scale innovative clean energy companies;
b. Facilitate match-making between early-stage companies and
potential investors and customers;
c. Support the development of innovative marketplaces for early-
stage investment, including crowd-funding platforms;
d. Enhance activity and engagement with corporate investors/
strategic investors, including utilities;
e. Catalyze the formation of long-term, patient capital funds for
energy technology development;
f. Leverage philanthropic capital through program-related
investments, mission-related investments, and other mechanisms;
g. Encourage more clean energy venture dollars focused on U.S.-
based companies with high potential for domestic economic benefit; and
h. Leverage existing programs (e.g., SBIR) to be of best use to the
clean energy investment community.
3. Is there any other information, other approaches, or other data
that would be useful to investors?
4. Are there any other tools that would be useful to investors or
key stakeholders that were not discussed above?
5. What are the greatest challenges when it comes to investing in
clean energy?
6. Is there any information about investment principles and/or
investment policy statements as it pertains to clean energy investments
that could be shared with other investors and the public?
7. What DOE (or other state/federal) finance and commercialization
programs are available, and should anything about them be changed to
enhance their utility?
Issued in Washington, DC, on February 25, 2016.
Sanjiv Malhotra,
Director, Clean Energy Investment Center.
[FR Doc. 2016-04625 Filed 3-1-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
