Wyden, Fetterman Urge Energy Department to Prioritize AI-Enabled Research that Supercharges Clean Energy Security and Reduces Environmental Impacts
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and U.S. Senator John Fetterman, D-Pa., today urged the Department of Energy to prioritize the development—driven by the responsible use of artificial intelligence—of new technologies that are vital to strengthening national security and clean energy.
As the United States works to increase domestic production of critical minerals, AI would allow scientists to condense decades of research into mere days by modeling and evaluating millions of new materials. As a result of this AI-driven research, America will not only be freer from the influence of foreign countries that control the critical mineral supply, but it will also boost the U.S. tech industry, improve energy efficiency, and protect the environment by limiting the number of mines America digs.
In the letter to Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, the senators wrote, “Beyond the national security and energy sector implications, this research framework also presents unique opportunities to accelerate innovation in the technology, medicine, and environmental sectors. Whether the product is more efficient semiconductors, more effective catalytic converters, or more effectual antibiotics, rapidly unlocking these novel compounds that align with our national interests must be a top priority.”
The senators’ letter follows the Pacific Northwest Laboratory’s use of AI to rapidly discover new materials to replace and/or reduce critical mineral use.
Specifically, the senators request that the Energy Department prioritize the development of:
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Any chemical compound that can eliminate or substantially reduce the use of critical minerals in, or substantially increase the performance or efficiency of batteries, or electrical generation and transmission infrastructure;
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Any material or material use strategy that would reduce the energy consumption of computer processing and data storage equipment, while maintaining adequate performance; and
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Catalysts or other compounds used in the efficient and economical production of renewable energy, alternative fuels (including renewable hydrogen), clean air, or clean water.
Wyden is a national leader in pushing for America’s transition to clean energy, energy independence, and for the responsible use of advanced technology. In September 2023, Wyden reintroduced legislation to expand the processing, manufacturing, and production of critical minerals domestically to reduce America’s reliance on foreign gas and oil.
The text of the letter is here.
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