CURC engages with policymakers to ensure that the United States pursues advanced fossil energy technologies that support the long-term, environmentally responsible use of our fossil energy resources. CURC is a source of nonpartisan, technology-based information to Congress and the Executive branch. CURC structures and participates in several annual activities designed to equip key policymakers and CURC members with information on the development and application of advanced fossil energy technologies.
Federal Funding for Research, Development, and Deployment
Each year during the federal appropriations process, CURC submits recommendations to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Congress that are keyed off the CURC-EPRI Roadmap to inform the decisions of federal policymakers as they recommend new programs and as Congress appropriates funds and provides oversight to the coal RD&D efforts at DOE. Over the years, several Roadmap priorities have been funded by Congress and continue to be supported by DOE.
Federal Advocacy
CURC, through its member companies, has been the principal actor in the design and development of several federal programs to advance fossil fuel technology development and deployment.
Since its inception in 1998, CURC has successfully developed or supported key federal programs, helping to make nearly $15 billion in federal incentives available through these programs in the form of grants, tax incentives and loan guarantees.
For advanced fossil energy technology development and deployment to succeed, there is a need for a regulatory environment that encourages the use and deployment of technology. As appropriate, CURC engages in the development of federal rulemakings by providing technical information and assessments on both the feasibility and availability of technology in meeting proposed regulatory programs, as well as on the impact of rules on technology deployment. CURC has been engaged with federal policymakers in proposed rulemakings to limit carbon emissions from fossil fueled power plants.
Membership Meetings
Every year, CURC hosts two to three General Membership Meetings to discuss the status of CURC activities and how CURC should position itself with respect to technology development programs and activities. Representatives from nearly all of our member companies attend these meetings, which are chaired by the CURC Executive Leadership Team. These meetings provide attendees with a forum to exchange views as well as provide various perspectives about the way that technology might be utilized to meet our Nation's energy and environmental needs. They also provide a venue for CURC to conduct official business and outline strategies and activities for proposed CURC initiatives.
Every Spring, CURC hosts a two day workshop with the Department of Energy and National Energy Technology Laboratory program managers and selected members of CURC to discuss in detail the DOE coal RD&D programs. Members of the CURC Technical Subcommittee participate in these workshops in order to gain a sense of how the DOE programs align with technology development goals identified in the CURC-EPRI Roadmap and to discuss how industry and DOE can further mutual technology development goals.
Quarterly, CURC holds a Government Affairs Subcommittee meeting in Washington to discuss the status of CURC initiatives with Congress and the Administration among the Washington Representatives of the CURC member companies. These meetings provide a forum to discuss legislative developments and to coordinate our advocacy resources on issues important to our collective membership.
Finally, CURC holds an annual Capitol Hill Day where all members are invited and encouraged to fly into Washington, D.C., for a day of meetings with Members of Congress and/or their staff to in an effort to educate Congress about CURC's advocacy programs.
Helpful Tools and Information
CURC provides our members, as well as policymakers, with timely and relevant information related to activities in the U.S. Congress, the U.S Department of Energy (DOE), and other federal agencies, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), impacting the use of fossil fuels. The scope of these activities is not simply reporting and describing, but providing in depth analysis and discussion related to potential outcomes of various policy and regulatory initiatives and the impact of those on CURC members activities.
Other useful tools and information are continuously developed by our staff, including a list and description of energy legislation that has been introduced in this Congress that affect the development of fossil fuel technologies, bill analysis and reporting, and the development of presentations, charts and other useful tools that help CURC members in their continued advocacy efforts.