On December 19, 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced three new transportation modal action plans aimed at enhancing the cleanliness and resilience of the U.S. transportation system. Developed in collaboration with the Department of Transportation (DOT), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and industry stakeholders, these plans are designed to accelerate innovation and expand affordable transportation options across the country [3835ae79].
The U.S. transportation system is a massive network that moves 55 million tons of goods valued at over $49 billion annually and covers three trillion vehicle miles. Jeff Marootian from the DOE emphasized the critical role of American leadership in transportation for maintaining global competitiveness [3835ae79].
This initiative follows the release of the U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization in 2023, which serves as a roadmap for innovative transportation technologies aimed at reducing emissions and promoting sustainability [3835ae79].
In addition to these transportation plans, the DOE had previously announced a significant investment of over $33 million to support local hydropower and marine energy projects on December 14, 2024. This investment is part of a broader $430 million plan for infrastructure upgrades across 33 states, marking one of the largest deployments of renewable energy in U.S. history [5ea85f39].
On December 20, 2024, the U.S. government further advanced its decarbonization efforts by releasing 'An Action Plan for Maritime Energy and Emissions Innovation.' This plan targets the maritime sector, which accounts for 66% of energy consumption from U.S. bunkered fuels. Key actions include creating a Sustainable Maritime Grand Challenge, transitioning to low-GHG fuels like green ammonia and methanol, and fostering international collaborations [e2f11bda].
The near-term goals of this maritime action plan aim for substantial emissions reductions by 2050, including the production of 700 million gallons of sustainable maritime fuel and 80 million gallons of marine green gasoline by 2030. The U.S. Center for Maritime Innovation will support the adoption of clean energy technologies on vessels [e2f11bda].
Together, these initiatives reflect a comprehensive strategy to bolster energy security while promoting sustainability and innovation across multiple sectors of the U.S. economy [5ea85f39][3835ae79][e2f11bda].