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119-s-5651119th CongressWALLET

National Institutes of Clean Energy Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]

Introduced

Summary

Establish a National Institutes of Clean Energy within the Department of Energy. The bill would create a dedicated federal agency to fund and coordinate clean energy and climate research with an explicit focus on emissions reduction, environmental justice, and workforce transition.

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  • Frontline and disadvantaged communities would be prioritized for research and demonstration projects that aim to cut pollution and improve public health in places harmed by past energy production.
  • Workers would see targeted R&D and workforce-development support aimed at creating high-quality jobs with strong labor standards, with attention to heavily unionized sectors.
  • Public universities, land-grant colleges, historically Black colleges and universities, and other minority-serving institutions would get priority access to grants and consortia funding for projects like microgrids, long-duration storage, electric vehicles, and decarbonizing aviation and shipping.

*Authorizes $400.0 billion for fiscal years 2027–2036 to establish and operate the Institutes and would increase federal spending if fully appropriated.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Creates a $400 billion clean energy agency

This bill would create the National Institutes of Clean Energy inside the Department of Energy. It would authorize $400 billion for fiscal years 2027 through 2036 to set up and run the Institutes. The Institutes would have to be established by January 1, 2030. The funding would support clean energy research, demonstrations, and workforce work rather than direct household payments.

Defines who counts as frontline communities

If enacted, the bill would define “frontline, vulnerable, and disadvantaged communities” for Institute priorities. The definition would tie priority to areas named in section 301(a) of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 and to groups harmed by climate change, pollution, or environmental destruction. The bill would also define “advanced energy technology” to require emissions reductions, resource efficiency, renewable ties, and low harm to frontline communities. It would define renewable sources to include solar, wind, ocean, geothermal, qualifying hydro placed in service on or after January 1, 1999, and hydrogen that meets specific timing and deliverability rules in federal tax regulations.

Sets which colleges get research priority

The bill would define which land-grant colleges qualify for Institute research priority. It would include schools eligible under the First and Second Morrill Acts, Tuskegee University, and 1994 Institutions. The bill would also use the Higher Education Act definition to identify minority-serving institutions for priority. The definitions would guide who the Institutes favor for R&D funding but would not itself award money.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]

MA • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 9/30/2026

  • Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]

    VT • I

    Sponsored 9/30/2026

  • Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 9/30/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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