“Extreme weather events are harming our grid and serving as a primary driver of higher electricity bills, underscoring the need to increase access to energy efficient technologies,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “The Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda is manufacturing hundreds of thousands of energy-saving heat pumps here in the USA, helping American households and businesses keep money in their pockets all while strengthening our national security and creating good-paying jobs.” 

"Under President Biden and Vice President Harris’s leadership, the United States is supercharging U.S. clean energy manufacturing, which is creating good-paying jobs, lowering families’ energy costs, and helping tackle the climate crisis, all while boosting our nation’s energy security,” said White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi. “As communities across the country continue to face down the impacts of climate-fueled extreme weather events, investing in American-made heat pump manufacturing will help keep families safe and comfortable in their homes, schools, and businesses and cut their energy costs. Today's investments, levering the authorities in the Defense Production Act, harness the power of American innovation to jumpstart critical clean energy manufacturing capacity and to protect our families, our economy, and our planet.”

The DPA investments being announced today would increase American manufacturing of heat pump technologies, which provide efficient space heating and cooling and water heating for homes, schools, and commercial and industrial uses. The awards will also increase the number of compressors produced on U.S. soil, which are typically manufactured overseas in Europe and Asia, making it easier for domestic manufacturers to use these key components in American-made heat pumps. Together these investments will allow for U.S. manufacturing of an additional 155,000 residential heat pumps, 440,000 residential heat pump water heaters, 2,000 school heat pumps, and 20,000 large heat pump compressors each year.

Today’s DPA manufacturing investments complement the direct consumer savings that the Biden-Harris Administration is providing, with the Investing in America agenda making homeowners now eligible for up to a 30% federal tax credit on the total cost of buying and installing a heat pump, and providing states with funding for home energy rebate programs.

Heating and cooling buildings, homes, offices, schools, hospitals, military bases, and other critical facilities drive more than 35% of all U.S. energy consumption and contribute more than one third of greenhouse gas emissions. Heat pumps can efficiently provide heating and cooling and hot water for homes and businesses, especially when homes are well insulated. Electric heat pumps reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 50% compared to the most efficient condensing gas boilers today, and this percentage could grow to 75% by 2030.  Heat pump water heaters can be two-to-three times more energy efficient than conventional electric water heaters, and on average, heat pumps can save homeowners between $300 to $1,500 annually depending on the current sources for heating and cooling. Additional savings are currently available through the Inflation Reduction Act Energy Efficient Tax Credit 25C tax credits to help consumers afford heat pumps. To learn more about savings and how heat pumps work, visit Pump Up Your Savings with Heat Pumps.

Learn more about the projects selected for award negotiations here.

As the Department of Energy enters negotiations with selectees, the Department will require the creation of good-quality, high-paying jobs in these facilities aligned with commitments in the selectees’ community benefit agreements. This may include but is not limited to, providing wages in the top quintile, industry leading health insurance, retirement contributions, paid time off, supportive services such as family care and transportation, and the free and fair choice for workers to join a union. 

Selection for award negotiations is not a commitment by DOE to issue an award or provide funding. Before funding is issued, DOE and the applicants will undergo a negotiation process, and DOE will complete environmental review. DOE may cancel negotiations and rescind the selection for any reason during that time.

Learn more about the MESC mission to strengthen and secure energy supply chains as the frontline of clean energy capital deployment.

President Biden and Vice President Harris are deeply committed to reinvesting in and revitalizing our nation’s manufacturing communities while empowering workers to capture the economic benefits of our clean energy future. Today’s announcement will create and retain hundreds of good-paying, high-quality union jobs and support the American auto communities that have driven the U.S. economy for generations. This investment delivers on the President’s commitment to ensure the future of the automobile industry is made in America by American union workers, and that the United States remains a global manufacturing powerhouse for generations to come.

“Under President Biden and Vice President Harris’ leadership, America’s auto communities and the workforces they support finally have the tools they need to compete and thrive in the 21st century clean energy economy,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “By helping states and manufacturers navigate the emerging EV manufacturing industry, today’s announcements will help ensure the workforces that defined America’s auto sector for the last 100 years will have the opportunity to shape the next 100 years.” 

Today’s announcement on state allocations follows an April 2024 Request for Information, seeking input from local, state, federal, and non-government entities on current and/or new state-federal partnerships that could enable federal funding to reach automotive suppliers embarking on the transition to serve the electric, hybrid, or fuel cell vehicle supply chains. Eligible grantees must be a state, territory, or the District of Columbia, have a workforce at least 0.5% of which is in the automotive sector, and qualify for at least $4 million of grant funding. Under these criteria, six states are eligible:

• Michigan: $18,406,420.45 
• Ohio: $9,373,236.32
• Indiana: $8,770,249.81
• Kentucky: $4,876,458.57
• Tennessee: $4,513,688.68
• Illinois: $4,059,946.17

States have until October 15, 2024 at 5:00 pm ET to submit an application.

Expanding America's Clean Energy Workforce and Enhancing Manufacturing Efficiency

DOE is also announcing $1.5 million in selections across three teams of technical assistance providers under the newly expanded Industrial Training and Assessment Center (ITAC) program. The teams—led by the Purdue University Manufacturing Extension Partnership, the Regents of the University of Michigan, and the Trustees of the University of Illinois—will help create and refine a Small Supplier EV Transition Playbook, in partnership with Argonne National Laboratory, to help internal combustion engine suppliers navigate the transition of their business model to EV or adjacent markets. 

The ITAC program advances a clean energy and manufacturing workforce that represents the diversity of America, and a reinvigorated manufacturing base prepared to lead the global clean energy transition. The program provides assessments to small- and medium-sized manufacturing firms to identify efficiency upgrades, saving costs for manufacturers and improving the nation’s manufacturing base.

These programs also advance President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which sets the goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments in climate, clean energy, clean transportation, and other areas flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. 

DOE’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) will administer the funding for both the Domestic Automotive Manufacturing Conversion Grants,including the state partnerships for SMMs, and ITAC program. Learn more about the MESC mission to catalyze investments in America’s energy future in support of the re-shoring, skilling, and scaling of U.S. manufacturing across energy supply chains.

As part of the CNWG, officials from both countries reviewed progress in bilateral counternarcotics efforts, including the PRC’s June 18 announcement of the arrest of  an individual indicted in the U.S. for involvement in a money laundering scheme on behalf of the Sinaloa cartel, the June 18 scheduling announcement that included key nitazenes controlled at the international level, and the July 15 announcement to further regulate veterinary anesthetics and psychotropic drugs including xylazines. They also discussed updates on PRC action to schedule precursor chemicals used to manufacture illicit fentanyl that are controlled at the international level.  Following the CNWG, the PRC announced on August 5 that they will begin scheduling three essential fentanyl precursors, a valuable step forward.  

The July 2024 CNWG was chaired by the White House National Security Council staff and included representatives from the Department of State; the Department of Homeland Security, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations; the Department of the Treasury; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; the Department of Justice, including the Drug Enforcement Administration; and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.  Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Todd D. Robinson and China Coordinator Mark Lambert hosted an additional bilateral meeting with the PRC Ministry of Public Security Director General Wei Xiaojun. 

“Fake reviews not only waste people’s time and money, but also pollute the marketplace and divert business away from honest competitors,” said FTC Chair Lina M. Khan. “By strengthening the FTC’s toolkit to fight deceptive advertising, the final rule will protect Americans from getting cheated, put businesses that unlawfully game the system on notice, and promote markets that are fair, honest, and competitive.”

The final rule announced today follows an advance notice of proposed rulemaking and a notice of proposed rulemaking announced in November 2022 and June 2023, respectively. The FTC also held an informal hearing on the proposed rule in February 2024. In response to public comments, the Commission made numerous clarifications and adjustments to its previous proposal.

The final rule prohibits:

• Fake or False Consumer Reviews, Consumer Testimonials, and Celebrity Testimonials: The final rule addresses reviews and testimonials that misrepresent that they are by someone who does not exist, such as AI-generated fake reviews, or who did not have actual experience with the business or its products or services, or that misrepresent the experience of the person giving it. It prohibits businesses from creating or selling such reviews or testimonials. It also prohibits them from buying such reviews, procuring them from company insiders, or disseminating such testimonials, when the business knew or should have known that the reviews or testimonials were fake or false.
• Buying Positive or Negative Reviews: The final rule prohibits businesses from providing compensation or other incentives conditioned on the writing of consumer reviews expressing a particular sentiment, either positive or negative. It clarifies that the conditional nature of the offer of compensation or incentive may be expressly or implicitly conveyed.
• Insider Reviews and Consumer Testimonials: The final rule prohibits certain reviews and testimonials written by company insiders that fail to clearly and conspicuously disclose the giver’s material connection to the business. It prohibits such reviews and testimonials given by officers or managers. It also prohibits a business from disseminating such a testimonial that the business should have known was by an officer, manager, employee, or agent. Finally, it imposes requirements when officers or managers solicit consumer reviews from their own immediate relatives or from employees or agents – or when they tell employees or agents to solicit reviews from relatives and such solicitations result in reviews by immediate relatives of the employees or agents.
• Company-Controlled Review Websites: The final rule prohibits a business from misrepresenting that a website or entity it controls provides independent reviews or opinions about a category of products or services that includes its own products or services.
• Review Suppression: The final rule prohibits a business from using unfounded or groundless legal threats, physical threats, intimidation, or certain false public accusations to prevent or remove a negative consumer review. The final rule also bars a business from misrepresenting that the reviews on a review portion of its website represent all or most of the reviews submitted when reviews have been suppressed based upon their ratings or negative sentiment.
• Misuse of Fake Social Media Indicators: The final rule prohibits anyone from selling or buying fake indicators of social media influence, such as followers or views generated by a bot or hijacked account. This prohibition is limited to situations in which the buyer knew or should have known that the indicators were fake and misrepresent the buyer’s influence or importance for a commercial purpose.

As the Commission noted previously, case-by-case enforcement without civil penalty authority might not be enough to deter clearly deceptive review and testimonial practices. The Supreme Court’s decision in AMG Capital Management LLC v. FTC has hindered the FTC’s ability to seek monetary relief for consumers under the FTC Act. This rule will enhance deterrence and strengthen FTC enforcement actions.

The Commission vote to approve the final rule and accompanying statement of basis and purpose was 5-0. The rule will become effective 60 days after the date it’s published in the Federal Register.

The primary staff members on this matter are Michael Ostheimer and Michael Atleson in the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. 

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III hosted Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles on August 6 in Annapolis, Maryland, to strengthen further the U.S.-Australia Alliance and the two countries’ cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and globally.  The Secretaries and Ministers (principals) reaffirmed that the U.S.-Australia Alliance is essential to promoting a prosperous and peaceful region.  The principals expressed the importance of the history and values shared by the United States and Australia and renewed their commitment to support a stable and open international system that protects each nation’s ability to make sovereign decisions free from coercion or threats of force. 

The principals welcomed actions by both governments that build upon the commitments made during the visit of Prime Minister Albanese to the United States and his meeting with President Biden in October 2023 across the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, to build an “Innovation Alliance.”  These actions include: 

• Australia’s endorsement of the United States’ Framework to Counter Foreign State Information Manipulation through a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). 
• Establishment of the Australia-U.S. Landsat Next Partnership between Geoscience Australia and the U.S. Geological Survey, enhancing cooperation on satellite imaging data collection and analysis capability to assist our nations, and the Indo-Pacific, with resources management, urban planning, and climate change and disaster relief. 
• Australia’s continued progression in joining the U.S. Global Entry Program, streamlining entry to the United States and strengthening our robust people-to-people links. 
• A new four-year phase of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) – Australia Mekong Safeguards Program to support strengthened environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards for infrastructure development in the Mekong subregion. 
• Commitment to conclude a space framework agreement to facilitate cooperation on civil space activities, including further cooperation on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Artemis program. 
• An inaugural Ministerial First Nations Dialogue, focused on advancing economic development, Indigenous rights and environmental stewardship with First Nations peoples in Australia and federally recognized Tribes in the United States, which builds on the U.S. hosting of an Australian First Nations business leaders’ delegation that enables knowledge-sharing on business development. 
• Signing of a MoU by representatives of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and U.S. Department of State (State) Diplomatic Security to establish exchanges in the areas of technical security, cyber security, and threat analysis. 
• Co-hosting of the Pacific Banking Forum, where the United States and Australia committed to support the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat’s Correspondent Banking Relationship Roadmap and other efforts to address de-risking in the Pacific. 
• U.S. support to cultural preservation efforts in the Pacific through the Australian Museum’s Pasifika Tauhi project. 
• Continued progress by the Australia-U.S. Critical Minerals Taskforce (CMTF) to pursue secure and diverse critical mineral supply chains, increase investment in mining and processing projects in our respective countries, and enhance market transparency. 

Delivering for the Indo-Pacific 

The principals committed to strengthen cooperation further, bilaterally and with regional partners and institutions; to ensure an Indo-Pacific that is open, stable, peaceful, and prosperous; that promotes and protects human rights, and that is respectful of sovereignty and international law.  They committed to deepen collaboration with Indo-Pacific partners to promote shared priorities, including sustainable development; climate change cooperation; security and conflict prevention; cyberspace, digital economy, technology, and connectivity; good governance; health security and resilience; and timely, effective, and inclusive humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.  The principals committed to hold a bilateral State-DFAT dialogue on reducing the risk of conflict and upholding peace in the Indo-Pacific. 

The principals stressed the need for all countries to manage strategic competition responsibly and to work to reduce risks of conflict.  They emphasized the importance of maintaining open channels of communication with China to avoid miscommunication or miscalculation that could lead to unintended escalation or conflict.  The principals encouraged China to engage constructively and take steps to promote stability and transparency.  They affirmed the importance of cooperating with China to address issues of global and shared interest, including tackling climate change, combatting illicit synthetic drug trafficking, promoting global food and nutrition security, supporting macroeconomic stability, and addressing vulnerable countries’ debt sustainability and financing needs. 

The principals underscored the vital importance of all states being free to exercise rights and freedoms consistent with international law, as reflected in the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Law of the Sea, including freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the sea.  They reiterated their strong opposition to destabilizing or coercive unilateral actions in the maritime domain, including in the South China Sea and East China Sea, that increase tensions and undermine peace and stability. 

The principals expressed concern about China’s excessive maritime claims in the South China Sea that are inconsistent with international law and unilateral actions to change the status quo by force or coercion.  They noted grave concern about China’s dangerous and escalatory behavior toward Philippine vessels lawfully operating within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.  The principals reaffirmed the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award as final and binding on the parties to that proceeding and reconfirmed their resolve to work with partners to support regional maritime security and uphold international law. 

The principals noted with concern China’s recent unsafe and unprofessional encounters with naval vessels and aircraft that were exercising freedom of navigation and overflight, as established under international law.  They committed to maintain the steady and long-term presence of Australian and U.S. aircraft and vessels in the Indo-Pacific, consistent with international law and in partnership with other states, to promote stability and security in the region’s vital international waterways, including the East and South China Seas. 

The principals reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and their shared opposition to unilateral changes to the status quo.  They called for the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues through dialogue, without the threat or use of force or coercion.  They expressed strong concern regarding China’s military and Coast Guard activity around Taiwan.  They highlighted Taiwan’s important role as a critical partner for both countries and a leading Indo-Pacific economy and democracy, and reiterated their commitment to work together to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations.  The principals committed to further strengthen economic, trade, and people-to-people ties with Taiwan and to enhance development coordination in the Pacific. 

The principals emphasized Southeast Asia’s importance to regional stability and prosperity, and committed to work bilaterally and with partners to support the region’s economic, development, and security priorities.  They reaffirmed their commitment to Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) centrality and ASEAN-led regional architecture, and highlighted the role of the East Asia Summit as the region’s premier leaders’ forum for addressing strategic challenges. They expressed ongoing support for the practical implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and for Laos as the ASEAN Chair in 2024.  They reiterated their support for Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN and expressed their joint support for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) opening accession discussions with Indonesia and Thailand. 

The principals highlighted both countries’ strong economic ties with ASEAN, including the United States as the region’s top source of Foreign Direct Investment, and Australia’s increased engagement under Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 and establishment of the AUD 2 billion (USD 1.3 billion) Southeast Asia Investment Financing Facility.  They reiterated the importance of continuing to deepen and diversify economic engagement with ASEAN members.  The principals welcomed efforts to establish the ASEAN Centre on Climate Change, the ASEAN Power Grid, and other projects promoting climate resilience and energy security in the region. 

The principals expressed their deep concern at the worsening political, security, and humanitarian crisis in Myanmar and reaffirmed their strong support for ASEAN’s leadership, including the Five Point Consensus and constructive efforts of the ASEAN Chair and the Special Envoy.  They called on the Myanmar regime to immediately cease violence, release all those unjustly detained, allow safe and unimpeded humanitarian access, and return Myanmar to the path of inclusive democracy. 

The principals acknowledged the centrality of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and reaffirmed their commitment to work with Pacific Island countries to support the objectives of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.  They stressed the importance of being guided by Pacific priorities and encouraged other partners to pursue engagement that is transparent, respects regional architecture, and prioritizes Pacific interests. 

The principals reaffirmed their support for Pacific climate change priorities.  The United States welcomed Australia’s bid to host the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) in 2026, in partnership with the Pacific.  The principals welcomed preparations for the Pacific Resilience Facility, a Pacific-led initiative, and called on other countries to also contribute funding.  They also committed to continue to work with the Secretariat for the Pacific Community to support Pacific efforts to improve climate-smart agriculture and food security.  They noted the recent PIF Declaration on the Continuity of Statehood and the Protection of Persons in the Face of Climate Change-related Sea-level rise and the Pacific Regional Framework on Climate Mobility.  They also affirmed that climate change-related sea-level rise should not diminish maritime zones and should not cause any country to lose its statehood or its membership in the UN, its specialized agencies, or other international organizations. 

The United States welcomed and supported the objectives of the PIF-owned Pacific Quality Infrastructure Principles.  The principals noted the success of joining with other partners to help finance infrastructure that promotes connectivity and economic development, including undersea telecommunications cable projects to support access to critical digital services for Pacific Island countries.  The principals highlighted efforts by the Partners in the Blue Pacific to pool resources to better support Pacific priorities, including on climate action, cyber, pre-positioning of humanitarian supplies, ocean and fisheries research, and combatting illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. 

The principals noted with concern the increasing frequency of cyber incidents affecting Pacific governments and institutions.  They reiterated their commitment to partner with Pacific island countries to support cyber resilience, including through cloud and other trusted information and communications technology (ICT) systems.  They applauded joint efforts to support Palau’s response to a recent cyber incident and invited other Pacific Island countries to engage with them on their digital and cyber priorities. 

The principals committed to continue support for Pacific fisheries management and regional efforts to strengthen the law enforcement and justice sector, including within the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness initiative and increasing Pacific maritime security coordination between Australia, France, New Zealand, and the United States. 

The principals reaffirmed their commitment to support Indian Ocean countries and regional architecture to address increasing challenges and advance resilience and prosperity.  They underscored their steadfast support for the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) as the region’s premier ministerial-level forum and highlighted their support for implementation of IORA’s Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. 

The principals welcomed Japan’s hosting of the 2024 Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, where participants reaffirmed the Quad’s commitment to working with Indo-Pacific countries and institutions to deliver a positive and practical agenda that responds to the region’s needs. 

The principals reaffirmed their commitment to gender equity and equality and the human rights of all women and girls, the Women, Peace and Security agenda, and the prevention and response to all forms of gender-based violence, online and offline.  They welcomed the recently held annual Australia-U.S. Strategic Dialogue on Gender Equality. 

The principals reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the voices of Indigenous Peoples are heard at the international level, drawing on their knowledge and experience to address shared challenges, and expanding bilateral engagement, both between governments and people-to-people. 

The principals expressed their continued grave concern about human rights violations and abuses in Xinjiang and the erosion of religious, cultural, educational, and linguistic rights and freedoms in Tibet.  The principals also expressed continued grave concern over the systematic erosion of Hong Kong’s autonomy, fundamental freedoms, and democratic institutions, including the introduction of Article 23 legislation and issuance of arrest warrants for democracy advocates in third countries.  They expressed their disappointment that China rejected all the recommendations made by Australia and the United States during the January 2024 Universal Periodic Review of China’s human rights record. 

Advancing Climate Action, Clean Energy Transition, and Environmental Protection 

The principals recommitted to accelerate efforts to address the climate crisis, advance the clean energy transition, and build climate resilience.  They noted leaders had decided to elevate climate and clean energy as the third pillar of the U.S.-Australia Alliance through the Australia-United States Climate, Critical Minerals and Clean Energy Transformation Compact (Compact).  The principals underscored the importance of the timely submission of 2035 nationally determined contributions from all major economies, which give effect to the 28th UN Climate Change Conference’s call for ambitious, economy-wide emission reduction targets, covering all greenhouse gases, sectors, and categories, and aligned with limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.  They also confirmed their intention to work together to secure a successful outcome at the 29th UN Climate Change Conference, including on a new collective quantified goal on climate finance.  The principals reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening coordination on climate security through the Senior Officials’ Working Group on Climate Security Risk. 

The principals highlighted the Sixth U.S.-Australia Energy Security Dialogue, convened in Canberra in March 2024, which strengthened clean energy cooperation in support of the Compact.  The principals welcomed Australia’s Future Made in Australia agenda and highlighted the opportunities this presents to align industrial policy settings and expand bilateral supply chain cooperation through the Compact.  They also welcomed discussion on cooperation to support strong and resilient clean energy supply chains and on joint initiatives under the Net Zero Technology Acceleration Partnership on grid modernization and long duration energy storage. 

The principals welcomed joint efforts to support the Antarctic Treaty System and continued collaboration in science and logistics.  They committed to continue the protection of Antarctica’s environment, and peaceful and scientific use, including by jointly advocating for a representative system of marine protected areas in the Antarctic region. 

Economic Resilience and Prosperity 

The principals confirmed their commitment to increase cooperation bilaterally and with other partners to build shared regional economic security and resilience.  They affirmed their commitment to the rules-based international trading system.  They opposed economic coercion in all its forms and recognized the importance of multilateral institutions and norms which promote free, fair, and open international trade, as reflected in the June 2023 Joint Declaration against Trade-Related Economic Coercion and Non-Market Policies and Practices issued by our Trade Ministers and Australian Foreign Minister.  The principals recognized growing concerns about non-market excess capacity and the non-market policies and practices driving this phenomenon, and confirmed the commitment to work cooperatively to identify and address these challenges.  The principals welcomed the constructive discussion between Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo on June 6 at the third annual ministerial meeting of the Australia-United States Strategic Commercial Dialogue. 

The principals welcomed the substantial progress on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) in support of a free, open, fair, inclusive, interconnected, resilient, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.  They commended the entry into force of the IPEF Supply Chains Agreement and the signing of the IPEF Clean Economy and Fair Economy Agreements, and the overarching Agreement on IPEF.  They noted their shared interest in continuing to negotiate high-standard provisions under the IPEF Trade Pillar and welcomed the establishment of the IPEF Catalytic Capital Fund, which will mobilize the finance needed to develop sustainable and durable climate infrastructure. 

The principals reiterated their commitment to securing and diversifying critical mineral supply chains, both bilaterally and through the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) Critical Minerals Dialogue, and other regional and global mechanisms.  The principals committed to work together and with other partners, including the private sector, to explore mechanisms to stimulate greater demand for minerals that are produced in accordance with high ESG standards.  The principals acknowledged the important role that Australian critical minerals will play in supporting defense and wider economic supply chains.  They committed to work to expedite collaboration to prioritize investment in concrete critical mineral projects located in Australia and involving Australian companies in third countries. 

The principals welcomed the successful conclusion of the United States’ Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) host year and APEC Leaders’ commitment in the Golden Gate Declaration to continue work on sustainability, inclusion, the digital economy, and economic resilience.  They committed to continue to work cooperatively toward the successful conclusion of Peru’s APEC host year. 

Defense and Security Cooperation 

The United States and Australia are continuing to progress upgrades at key Australian bases including Royal Australia Air Force (RAAF) Bases Darwin and Tindal, supported by site surveys for potential upgrades at RAAF Bases Curtin, Learmonth, and Scherger.  The United States welcomed Australia’s planned infrastructure upgrades at Cocos (Keeling) Islands and supports Australia’s completion of this work.  Through the Combined Logistics, Sustainment, and Maintenance Enterprise, the United States and Australia have successfully conducted a proof of principle prepositioning of initial U.S. Army equipment and materiel in Australia at Albury-Wodonga (Bandiana).  The United States and Australia intend to assess additional requirements at Bandiana for longer-term use.  The United States and Australia continue to refine requirements for the establishment of an enduring Logistics Support Area in Queensland – designed to enhance interoperability and accelerate the ability to respond to regional crises. 

The principals acknowledged the importance of regional partnerships in promoting stability and security in the Indo-Pacific.  The United States and Australia reaffirmed our shared ambition to increase maritime domain awareness collaboration with regional partners, including Japan, India, and the Philippines.  The United States and Australia are working with Japan to expand and enhance its participation in force posture cooperation exercises, including with the Marine Rotational Force-Darwin.  The United States, Australia, and Japan are expanding intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance cooperation by fostering greater trilateral activities in the Indo-Pacific.  Building on the commitments of the May 2 Ministerial meeting in Honolulu with Japan and the Philippines, the principals reaffirmed their commitment to work with the Philippines to advance defense cooperation, including through regular Maritime Cooperative Activities in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and strengthening capacity building. 

The principals committed to enhance interoperability with the militaries of Pacific countries, including through Exercises CORAL WARRIOR and CARTWHEEL in Fiji, Exercise PUKPUK in Papua New Guinea (PNG), and as demonstrated through His Majesty’s Armed Forces of Tonga’s participation in the 2024 iteration of the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise series.  Following the signing of the U.S.-PNG Defense Cooperation Agreement, Marine Rotational Force-Darwin has conducted a successful deployment to PNG. 

The United States continues to conduct more frequent rotational deployments to Australia across air, land, and maritime domains, including across northern Australia. Furthering our Enhanced Air Cooperation, the United States will continue frequent rotations of bombers, fighter aircraft, and maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, building on previous rotations at RAAF Bases Amberley, Darwin, and Tindal.  The United States and Australia continue to enhance the complexity and duration of regular rotations of U.S. Army watercraft to Australia in furtherance of maritime and land cooperation, to increase interoperability, and enable regional engagement, including for humanitarian assistance and disaster response. 

During Exercise TALISMAN SABRE 2025, the United States and Australia plan to integrate new capabilities and test new operating assumptions, including through amphibious training activities at Shoalwater Bay.  Seventeen nations have been invited to participate at next year’s exercise, which will be conducted across the breadth of Australia. 

Securing our Technological Edge 

The principals welcomed reforms that will enable unprecedented levels of scientific, technological, and industrial collaboration, and co-development between our nations.  This includes Australia’s addition to Title III of the U.S. Defense Production Act, which will build new opportunities for U.S. investment in the production and purchase of Australian critical minerals, critical technologies, and other strategic sectors. 

The principals also welcomed progress on aligning export controls to drive deeper defense trade.  Following Australia’s July 18 proclamation to enact its landmark Defence Trade Controls Amendment Act commencing September 1, and the conclusion of technical dialogues and an exchange of diplomatic notes, the United States informed Australia of its intent to imminently proceed with the requisite steps for submission of a determination to the United States Congress by August 17.  Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States have each created new mechanisms that, once finalized, will facilitate billions of dollars in secure license-free defense trade between and among the partner countries without needing further authorization.  AUKUS partners are poised to take advantage of unparalleled levels of defense cooperation and the continued integration of their defense industrial bases to accelerate a technological advantage. 

The principals committed to explore options to harness these generational reforms and export license free environment to facilitate defense industry collaboration.  They committed to greater integration of the bilateral defense innovation systems, and committed to pursue greater collaboration between the U.S. Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and Australia’s Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA), including through establishing a liaison officer arrangement between DIU and ASCA.  This partnership will help both countries deliver concrete capability to the warfighter, together. 

The United States and Australia committed to streamline cooperation on missile and uncrewed aerial vehicle technologies, particularly for Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise and AUKUS Pillar 2 Advanced Capabilities, and reiterated their respective commitments to upholding the standards of multilateral nonproliferation regimes.  

The principals also welcomed the work towards forming the Partnership for Indo-Pacific Industrial Resilience (PIPIR) and reaffirmed the importance of supply chain resilience to strengthening the region’s defense industrial bases and, thereby, contributing to a stable Indo-Pacific. 

The principals acknowledged Australia’s GWEO Enterprise provides a pathway for the co-development, co-production, and co-sustainment of critical long-range fires and their component supply chains for both nations.  Australia’s GWEO Enterprise is strategically important to both nations and principals affirmed our mutual interest in identifying Australian insertion points into the United States’ guided weapons and explosive ordnance production plans.  

The principals welcomed progress towards our 2023 commitment to collaborate on a flexible guided weapons production capability in Australia, with an initial focus on the co-production of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) by 2025.  They acknowledged Australia’s intent to produce viable volumes of GMLRS for global consumption and welcomed efforts to finalize, by December 2024, the MOU to enable the co-assembly of GMLRS, with follow on mechanisms for co-production in the future.  The principals supported the establishment of a sovereign Australian solid rocket motor capability and manufacture of tactical training rounds.   

The principals welcomed progress on our 2023 commitment to share technical data on 155mm M795 munitions and highlighted Australia’s investment in manufacturing 155mm M795 munitions in Australia.  They reaffirmed the support to fast tracked future productions. These efforts are intended to enable U.S. certification of Australian-manufactured munitions and Australia’s deeper integration into the U.S. defense enterprise and global energetics supply chain. 

The principals acknowledged the supply chain complementarities between GMLRS and the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM).  They committed to finalizing a PrSM MOU on cooperative Production, Sustainment, and Follow-on Development (PSFD) by December 2024 and announced the establishment of a Joint Program Office to advance cooperative activities on this critical munition in 2025. 

The principals endorsed the development of a multi-service informed roadmap for expanded production and sustainment activities under the GWEO Enterprise. 

The principals welcomed the signing in July 2024 of the Statement of Intent on Integrated Air and Missile Defense between the Australian Department of Defence and U.S. Department of Defense, and committed to deliver a strategic roadmap that will identify strategic joint priorities and lines of effort to pursue near-, mid-, and long-term opportunities for co-development, co-production, and co-sustainment of Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) capabilities.  They welcomed the success of the U.S. Command Control Battle Management Communications (C2BMC) demonstration in Australia and continual work toward a networked regional IAMD architecture alignment. 

The principals welcomed continuing collaborative efforts to develop and demonstrate an air-launched hypersonic weapon under the Southern Cross Integrated Flight Research Experiment (SCIFiRE).  Australia and the United States continue to make significant progress in design and ground testing, supporting the bilateral flight test program of Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM).  Looking forward, the United States and Australia are working towards expanding this deep collaboration and transitioning the partnership on SCIFiRE and HACM to a fielded combat capability. Australia will consider HACM as a potential pathway to field its first air-launched hypersonic weapon. 

The principals reaffirmed their commitment to establishing robust, resilient, and diversified industrial bases that support our cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.  They discussed opportunities to expand cooperation on Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul, and Upgrade (MRO&U) of our shared critical capabilities, and noted the successful maintenance activity of a U.S. Navy MH-60R Seahawk.  The United States and Australia are committed to supporting the implementation of the Regional Sustainment Framework and committed to identify opportunities for MRO&U collaboration in Australia.  The principals were pleased to announce intent to pursue a pathway project under the Regional Sustainment Framework that will enable the sustainment and collaboration on MRO&U of tactical data communications equipment, which builds on existing U.S. Marine Corps Rotational Force initiatives in northern Australia.  The principals committed to explore further opportunities for MRO&U collaboration in Australia, in ways that support our shared commitment to deepen cooperation on critical capabilities in the region. 

The principals recognized the strong progress made in implementing the AUKUS Optimal Pathway since its announcement last year to maintain stability and security in the Indo-Pacific.  The principals reaffirmed their commitment to Australia’s acquisition of conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines setting the highest non-proliferation standard for a non-nuclear-weapon State, and to ensuring Australia’s negotiation of an Article 14 arrangement maintains International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) oversight of nuclear material.  They underscored that upholding the IAEA’s independence and technical credibility is vital to maintaining the integrity of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime. 

The principals welcomed continued progress on AUKUS Pillar II to deliver advanced capabilities at pace.  They welcomed the AUKUS partners’ consideration of cooperation with Japan on AUKUS Pillar II advanced capability projects and look forward to further discussions. 

Supporting Global Security 

The principals noted their commitment to upholding an international system underpinned by rules and norms, with the UN at its heart. The United States and Australia are steadfast in their commitment to upholding international law, including the UN Charter, and called for all countries to uphold the Charter. 

The principals emphasized that Australia and the United States share great interest in achieving peace and stability in the Middle East and underscored the urgent need to de-escalate tensions across the region.  They reiterated their condemnation of Hamas’s horrific terrorist attacks on October 7.  They welcomed UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) S/RES/2735 (2024) and affirmed the imperative of securing the release of all hostages held by Hamas, and strongly urged all parties to work towards an immediate and prolonged ceasefire in Gaza.  The principals underscored the urgent need to significantly increase deliveries of life-saving humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza.  They also emphasized the need for all parties to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers.  They reiterated that terrorism, the large-scale loss of civilian lives, and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza are all unacceptable.  The principals remain committed to a sovereign, viable and independent Palestinian state taking into account Israel’s legitimate security concerns as part of a two-state solution that enables both Israelis and Palestinians to live in a just, lasting and secure peace.  The principals underscored the importance of avoiding further regional escalation of the conflict, including along the Israel-Lebanon border and emphasized that it was critical to reach a diplomatic resolution that stops all attacks and enables both Israeli and Lebanese families to return to their homes. 

The principals condemned ongoing Houthi attacks, including in the Red Sea and surrounding waterways, and reiterated the need to defend navigational rights and freedoms, in line with UNSCR 2722 and in accordance with international law.  The United States welcomed Australian contributions to the U.S.-led Operation PROSPERITY GUARDIAN, in defense of crucial shipping lanes. 

The principals denounced Iran’s destabilizing behavior, including its support for armed proxies and militant partners, threats to shipping and freedom of navigation in the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, and Gulf of Aden, its arbitrary and unjust detention of foreign and dual nationals, and targeting, intimidation, and harassment of dissidents overseas.  They further condemned Iran’s nuclear-related expansions, proliferation of ballistic missiles, and provision of drones to Russia for use in its war against Ukraine.  The principals reiterated deep concern over Iran’s human rights violations and abuses, especially against women, girls, and members of minority groups, and expressed a shared commitment to standing with the people of Iran. 

The principals condemned Russia’s illegal and immoral war against Ukraine, and again called on Russia to immediately, completely, and unconditionally withdraw its forces from within the internationally recognized borders of Ukraine.  They called on Russia to pay for the damage it has caused Ukraine, noting Russia’s obligation to do this under international law.  They expressed support for the Summit on Peace in Ukraine and reaffirmed the need to reach a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in line with the UN Charter.  The principals called on all those with influence on Russia, particularly China, to exert it now to end the war and to cease support to Russia’s defense industrial base.  They reaffirmed their position that those supporting Russia’s illegal war will face consequences and reiterated their intent to raise the costs against actors in third countries that materially support Russia’s war.  

The principals strongly condemned the growing partnership between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Russia, including continued arms transfers from the DPRK to Russia that prolong the suffering of the Ukrainian people, violate multiple UNSCRs, undermine the global nonproliferation regime, and threaten stability in both Northeast Asia and Europe.  The principals noted with concern the possibility for the DPRK to obtain or expand political, economic, technological, or military support from Russia that emboldens the DPRK’s reckless and destabilizing behavior.  Both sides called for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and urged the DPRK to engage in diplomacy as the only path to enduring peace.  They noted with grave concern continuing reports of human rights violations and abuses in the DPRK. 

The principals committed to enhance cooperation to prevent the proliferation of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems, and to strengthen the global multilateral non-proliferation architecture.  This includes the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as the cornerstone of the global non-proliferation and disarmament regime and the foundation for peaceful nuclear cooperation.  The principals discussed how enhanced transparency could strengthen the implementation of the NPT.  In this regard, Australia welcomed the United States’ commitment to responsible transparency as a nuclear weapon state and its leadership on related practical measures, and highlighted the need for Russia and China to engage meaningfully in similar efforts. 

The principals shared concerns about the increased scale and severity of malicious cyber activity and committed to expose, deter and respond to malicious cyber activity by nation state and cybercriminal actors, including through joint attributions, technical advisories, and sanctions as appropriate.  This includes working with key strategic partners to broaden regional support for cyber attributions.  The United States congratulated Australia on its inaugural use of its autonomous cyber sanctions to promote accountability for Russian cybercriminals. 

The principals committed to further strengthen cooperation across the space domain, noting the centrality of outer space to global prosperity, security, and connectivity.  They underscored their ambition to develop and promote norms of responsible behavior to reduce space threats.  They opposed any deployment of nuclear weapons in space in violation of Article IV of the Outer Space Treaty. 

The principals reiterated their shared commitment to the development and use of critical and emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), biotechnology, and quantum information science and technology, which are safe, secure, and trustworthy, and anchored in international law including international human rights law.  Australia and the United States plan to strengthen cooperation on priority critical and emerging technologies to support rules-based development of safe, secure, and trustworthy technologies, develop and capitalize on comparative technology strengths, and work to accelerate the reciprocal flow of talent and capital between our two countries. 

The principals committed to strengthen cooperation with other stakeholders and in international initiatives such as the OECD Working Party on AI Governance and applauded the UN General Assembly Resolution on “Seizing the Opportunities of Safe, Secure and Trustworthy AI Systems for Sustainable Development.”  The principals reiterated the importance of responsible behavior in the use of AI in the military domain and will continue to encourage other states to join them in endorsing the Political Declaration on Responsible Military Use of Artificial Intelligence and Autonomy.  They also applauded the increased cooperation on quantum information science and technology between U.S. and Australian companies and research and academic institutions, including PsiQuantum. 

The FTC filed its amicus brief in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in an ongoing antitrust case where a jury found Google liable for multiple antitrust violations related to its Google App Store, including finding that Google monopolized the Android App Distribution and Android In-App Payment Solutions markets for digital goods and services transactions. Google’s App Store serves as an essential platform used by developers, which includes Epic, to market their software. Google’s App Store is also critical for users that seek to purchase applications, such as Epic’s online game Fortnite.

In its amicus brief, the FTC encourages the court to use its broad power to order a remedy that stops the illegal conduct, prevents its recurrence, and restores competition. Injunctive relief should also restore lost competition in a forward-looking way and should ensure a monopolist is not continuing to reap the advantages and benefits obtained through the antitrust violation, the FTC’s brief stated. Looking forward in cases like Epic v. Google often requires the consideration of network effects, data feedback loops, and other key features of digital markets. This could help ensure that potential competitors can overcome the advantages established digital platforms often gain, which include network effects and data incumbency. These advantages allow established digital platforms to lock-in users, advertisers, and other stakeholders, which create barriers to entry for future competition.

In the Epic case, Google has raised several concerns about the administrability of potential injunctions that impose duties to deal with competitors and the implications of any requirement that Google provide access to its Application Programming Interfaces to non-customers for free. Despite these concerns, courts still have wide latitude to impose these sorts of requirements on monopolists when crafting remedies to restore competition, the FTC stated in its brief.

Google also has expressed concern that the cost of complying with Epic’s proposed remedy may be overly burdensome. Complaints about the burdens of compliance are no excuse, the FTC stated in its brief. Google’s monopolistic behavior has significantly harmed millions of users in the United States. Allowing monopolists to reap the rewards of illegal monopolization while avoiding the costs of restoring the competition that they unlawfully eliminated would undermine deterrence, the FTC stated in its brief.

The Commission vote approving the filing of the amicus brief was 3-0-2, with Commissioners Melissa Holyoak and Andrew N. Ferguson recused. Commissioner Holyoak is recused due to her work on behalf of Utah in Utah v Google. Commissioner Ferguson recused himself in light of Virginia’s participation in Epic v. Google when he was Solicitor General.

The new oversight provisions were proposed and published for public comment in the Federal Register on February 8, 2024. After careful review and consideration of the entire record, including 10 comments submitted by interested parties, the Commission has adopted, with a few modifications, the proposed new oversight rule to promote transparency and accountability in the Authority’s operations.

Among other things, the new rule provisions require the Authority to: 1) submit annual and mid-year reports to the FTC; 2) develop and publish a multi-year strategic plan; 3) manage risks to prevent conflicts of interest, waste, fraud, embezzlement, and abuse; and 4) follow other best practices specified in the new rule.

The Commission voted 5-0 to approve the final new rule.

In the heart of every struggle lies the seed of a story that can inspire millions. This is the story of Mais, a man who faced the darkest corners of life and emerged not just unbroken, but as a beacon of light for others.

The Early Years: A Promising Start

Mais was born in Armenia, but grew up in Ukraine and Russia. Mais graduated from one of the world's most prestigious universities, the Moscow Plekhanov State University, with a degree in economics.

He was a man of ambition, full of dreams, and determined to carve out a place for himself in the business world. With his impressive academic background and an unwavering drive, he quickly dove into the world of entrepreneurship. He started multiple ventures, each brimming with potential and promise.

But as the saying goes, not all that glitters is gold. Despite his intelligence and hard work, Mais soon found himself navigating through treacherous waters. Business partners he trusted turned out to be deceitful. Betrayed and broken, Mais watched helplessly as his businesses crumbled, taking with them his dreams, his financial stability, and his faith in people.

The Depths of Despair: When Hope Fades

The weight of his failures pressed down on him, and life’s struggles piled up. He found himself lost, his spirit battered by the cruel hands of betrayal and financial ruin. As the days turned into nights, the darkness of despair grew thicker. With only $10 to his name, Mais stood at the edge of an abyss, his hope dwindling, his beliefs shattered.

It was in this bleak moment, when the world seemed to have turned its back on him, that something extraordinary happened. In his solitude and despair, Mais felt a flicker of something deep within—a burning desire that had nothing to do with wealth, power, or status. It was a desire born from the very pain that had brought him to his knees. This desire was to bring kindness into a world that had shown him so little.

The Spark of a New Beginning: The Birth of "Kindness with Mais"

With nothing left to lose, Mais decided to dedicate his life to something greater than himself. He began with simple acts of kindness—helping a stranger on the street, offering a listening ear to those in distress, and using the last of his money to buy a meal for someone in need, and a rose for someone who seemed to be craving some support and acceptance. 

These small acts began to heal his broken spirit. Mais realized that the power of kindness was transformative, not just for the receiver, but for the giver as well. Inspired by this revelation, he set out on a mission to spread kindness, believing that even the smallest acts could change lives.

What began as a personal mission quickly gained momentum. People who heard his story were moved by his sincerity and passion. They started joining him, each contributing in their own way. Soon, what had started as a solitary journey became a global movement—"Kindness with Mais."

A Movement Grows: Spreading Kindness Across the Globe

The movement rapidly spread across the world, transcending borders, cultures, and languages. From small towns to bustling cities, people embraced the idea of spreading kindness. Social media amplified the message, and what was once a small spark became a roaring flame.

"Kindness with Mais" grew into a beacon of hope, reminding people that no matter how dark the world might seem, kindness has the power to light the way. Mais, once on the brink of losing everything, became an ambassador of kindness, traveling the world, sharing his story, and inspiring millions to believe in the power of a simple act of goodwill.

A Message to the World: Join the Movement

Mais's story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. It shows that even in our darkest moments, there is always a path forward. And that path, as Mais discovered, is paved with kindness.

Today, "Kindness with Mais" is more than just a movement—it's a call to action. It's a reminder that every one of us has the power to make the world a better place, one act of kindness at a time. Whether it's offering a smile to a stranger, lending a helping hand, or simply being there for someone in need, your actions matter.

So, as you go about your day, remember Mais's journey from despair to hope, and let it inspire you to make a difference. Join the movement. Spread kindness. And together, let’s change the world for the better.

"Kindness with Mais"—Because the world needs more kindness, and it starts with you.

Houthi-affiliated shipping firms have enabled the group to transfer military-grade components from People’s Republic of China (PRC)-based suppliers to Yemen.  One of today’s targets, Al-Shahari United Corporation Ltd., is a Yemen-based logistics company that has facilitated numerous shipments from PRC-based suppliers to the Houthis, including components for use in Houthi missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Houthi attacks continue to disrupt the flow of international trade and freedom of navigation.  The United States will not hesitate to use all the tools at our disposal to deny the Houthis the ability to carry out such attacks.

The Department of the Treasury’s sanctions actions were taken pursuant to counterterrorism authority Executive Order 13224, as amended.  For more information, see Treasury’s press release.

In a public announcement, Acting Assistant Secretary for Global Public Affairs Kristin M. Kane and CEO of Meridian International Center Ambassador Stuart Holliday signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing the partnership. Acting Assistant Secretary Kane provided remarks on how the partnership builds on more than 20 years of journalism and media exchange programs developed by the Department of State in partnership with Meridian.

The partnership, facilitated by The Department of State’s Office of Global Partnerships, highlights how public and private sector actors can collaborate to pursue common goals, in this case, building capacity for the long-term sustainability of independent news outlets.

Meridian International Center is a nonpartisan, nonprofit diplomacy center dedicated to advancing diplomacy and leadership to build a better shared future. Since its inception in 1960, Meridian’s Center for Global Leadership has worked with journalists and media professionals to promote the protection of a free and fair press through reporting tours, media co-ops, training tours, and residencies for foreign journalists to the United States to engage with their peers and explore the U.S. media landscape.

You heard the foreign minister talk about the very important dialogue that we continue today on critical and emerging technology.  And simply put, I think there’s a shared recognition on the part of the United States and Singapore that in so many ways, together, we’re present at the creation – present at the creation of new technologies that are profoundly already and even more profoundly in the future shaping the way we live, the way we work, the way our economies function.  And it’s imperative, indeed incumbent upon us to do what’s necessary to shape the way those technologies are used, to maximize their potential for good and progress, which is extraordinary, but also to minimize the potential for the less good.  And our countries working together on this to me is something of great importance, and it’s been an area of real focus for the United States.  And I’m very glad we could pursue the dialogue today and look very concretely at what we’re doing together in this new environment to try to shape the future in ways that benefit all of our citizens and beyond.

And of course, this is on the foundation of what is an extraordinary economic relationship.  Vivian mentioned this.  We are overwhelmingly the largest provider of foreign direct investment in Singapore, five times more than the next nearest country.  And that speaks volumes because what it says is we have tremendous trust, confidence in Singapore.  We see the future as being here, and when I say “we,” I mean not just the United States Government, but the American people, our private sector.  That’s a very, very good indication, a leading indicator of confidence in the future and confidence in the future together.  I’d note, by the way, that the United States is the largest recipient of foreign direct investment in the world, which I think speaks volumes about the confidence that other countries have in us in this moment in time.

The two MOUs that we signed, I just want to speak briefly to them.  First, the third country training renewal – for President Biden, Vice President Harris, we have been working very closely and deliberately throughout this administration to weave together networks of interconnected Indo-Pacific partners to address some of our biggest shared opportunities as well as some of our biggest shared challenges.  I mentioned the other day this is my 18th visit to the Indo-Pacific over the last three and a half years, and that’s just one small piece of evidence of the focus – the sustained focus – that the United States has put on the region as a whole.

But what’s powerful about what we did today is this partnership between the United States and Singapore is being used to build capacity throughout the ASEAN region and its member states, and that I think demonstrates our vision in action.  When we were just in Laos for the ASEAN meetings, the EAS, I heard strong support across the board for United States engagement, for United States leadership.  And one of the things that many of our partners are looking for is capacity-building, sharing of knowledge, and our two countries are uniquely placed, I think, to do just that. 

Through this program, and you heard Vivian say, we have trained nearly 2,000 government officials to help make countries more resilient, more connected, and as a result more prosperous.  We’ve been working on trainings in cyber security, public health, dealing with climate change, smart cities, trade facilitation, protection of intellectual property.  And this benefits our extraordinary collection between us and the ASEAN countries of some 1 billion people.  And we’re extending the reach even further, as you heard Vivian say, to the Pacific Island countries – 16 of them that will benefit from this program.  So we’ve now extended the program for another three years.  I think it’s proof in action that the work we’re doing is not only benefiting out own people but benefiting so many others in the region.

And then the 123 Agreement, the peaceful nuclear power agreement.  We are also together taking on global priorities like the clean energy transition.  Both of our countries have put forward very ambitious net-zero climate targets, and we’re also working together to help reach them.  As Singapore decides whether to adopt civil nuclear energy, the 123 Agreement creates possibility, it creates a framework to develop safe, secure, modern civil nuclear power.  And of course we’re doing a lot of work, Vivian, as you know, in pioneering small modular reactors.  I think that increasingly will be at the forefront of nuclear power in the years ahead.  But we’re now – we now have a foundation in which, depending on the decision Singapore makes, we can pursue things together.  It also complements a broader clean energy partnership that we’ve developed.  We have the U.S.-Singapore Climate Partnership, which was launched during Vice President Harris’s visit here.  We have the Green Shipping Challenge, where Singapore and our ports in Los Angeles and Long Beach are reducing emissions together.  And, of course, the ASEAN Power Grid, something we talked about just a couple of days ago, supporting renewable energy across the Southeast Asian countries.

So all of this taken together translates into two things.  It translates into a partnership that’s making a difference for people in both of our countries, in Singapore and the United States, but also a partnership that’s making a difference in the lives of people throughout the region and even beyond, around the world.  This signing, this visit makes the partnership even broader, even deeper, even more effective than it was yesterday, and I’m grateful to the prime minister, and grateful to my friend the foreign minister for all the collaboration we have.  We get together like this on one day and it’s important, but it’s really the 364 days that follow that make all the difference, and we have remarkable teams that are working those 364 days to make all of what we’re doing real and have an impact.  So I thank you for that as well. 

The FTC first filed its complaint against Victor Ramirez in 2015, alleging that he helped operate a sprawling sweepstakes operation that took more than $28 million from consumers throughout the United States and other countries, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom.

“We are pleased that this settlement will keep the last individual defendant in this sweepstakes scam from harming consumers with bogus prize claims,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Since the Supreme Court’s decision in AMG, we are no longer able to return money to consumers who’ve been harmed. It is urgent that Congress restore the Commission’s ability to make consumers whole when they are targeted by scammers.”

The FTC’s complaint charged that Ramirez, along with three other individual defendants and eleven corporate defendants, mailed personalized letters falsely telling consumers that they had won large cash prizes, typically more than $2 million. To collect the “guaranteed” money, consumers had to mail the defendants a $20-$30 fee by cash, check or money order typically within 10 days, and the letters warned consumers they would forfeit their winnings if they didn’t pay on time. In reality, consumers had not won anything. The defendants had no connection to any sweepstakes and could not award or pay anyone the promised prizes.

Under the terms of the settlementRamirez is permanently banned from any involvement in any sweepstakes or other form of prize promotion that tells consumers that they either have won or could be eligible to win a prize. In addition, the settlement prohibits him from any further deception related to any product or service and from making use of any consumer information acquired through running the sweepstakes scam.

The Commission vote approving stipulated final order was 5-0. The FTC filed the proposed orderin the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida and it has now been entered by the court.

NOTE: Stipulated final orders or injunctions have the force of law when approved and signed by the District Court judge.

The staff attorney on this matter is William J. Hodor of the FTC’s Midwest Region.

The FTC first sued Robert William Shafer and Samuel J Smith in December, 2023, alleging that the two played key roles in the Blueprint to Wealth scheme, which targeted consumers looking to build their own businesses with a program that offers essentially no value, other than commissions that come from encouraging others to join the scheme.

“The defendants bilked consumers out of their hard-earned money with false promises that they would operate lucrative online businesses on consumers’ behalf,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.  “As these orders make clear, the FTC will continue to go after those who promote and sell worthless business or investment opportunities with phony earnings claims.”

The scheme took millions of dollars from consumers, according to the FTC’s complaint, charging at least $3,000 and as much as $21,000, plus hundreds of dollars in additional “administrative fees,” for membership in the scheme, which nominally promised its members turnkey online businesses that would be operated on the members’ behalf. Those businesses, however, existed only to sell more supposed businesses to more consumers.

The stipulated final order settling the case against Shafer permanently bans him from telemarketing as well as from any role in selling or marketing money-making or investment opportunities. In addition, he is required to turn over cash and the contents of numerous bank accounts.

The stipulated final order setting the case against Smith permanently bans him from any role in selling or marketing money-making or investment opportunities, as well as banning him from any involvement with robocalling.  Smith is required to turn over cash to the FTC under the stipulated order.

Both Shafer and Smith are subject to monetary judgements totaling more than $7.5 million, which have been partially suspended based on their inability to pay that amount. If they are found to have lied to the FTC about their financial condition, the full amount of the judgment would be immediately due.

The case against the other defendants in this case, Charles Joseph Garis, Jr. and Business Revolution Group, is ongoing.

The Commission votes approving the stipulated final orders were 5-0for the order against Smith and 5-0 for the order against Shafer. The FTC filed the proposed ordersin the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

NOTE: Stipulated final orders have the force of law when approved and signed by the District Court judge.

The staff attorneys on this matter are Connell McNulty and Lauren Rivard of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.

The United States stands ready to support the implementation and monitoring of the ceasefire, in particular through the Angolan Ad Hoc Verification Mechanism’s efforts.  As the ceasefire is implemented, we call on all actors to respect human rights, adhere to applicable obligations under international humanitarian law, and hold accountable all actors for human rights.

In the complaint announced today, the FTC and State of Arizona allege that Coulter, which operates Coulter Cadillac Tempe and Tempe Buick GMC, along with Depaola, regularly charged consumers for unwanted add-ons that consumers never agreed to pay and other bogus fees. A survey of consumers who purchased or leased cars from Coulter found that 92 percent of the consumers surveyed were charged for at least one add-on without their authorization, or that they thought was required.

“Coulter used junk fees and other illegal tactics to drive up prices for consumers, especially Latino consumers,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “The FTC will continue cracking down on practices that drive up prices, cheat consumers, and undercut honest sellers.”

According to the complaint, Coulter advertised prices for cars online at significant discounts under the cars’ suggested retail prices, in many cases thousands of dollars less, leading consumers to think they could purchase the advertised car for that advertised amount. Consumers complained that when they arrived at the dealership, they were told the advertised price was not available. Instead, the dealership added hundreds or thousands of dollars more than the advertised price in a so-called “market adjustment,” supposed add-ons that were pre-installed on the car, and other miscellaneous fees.

The add-ons included items like vehicle identification number etching, window tinting, nitrogen-filled tires, and theft recovery services – items that Coulter would deceptively tell consumers were required to purchase the car. The complaint alleges that in some cases, Coulter charged consumers twice for the same add-ons, once individually and again as part of an add-on “package.”

The complaint also alleges that Coulter discriminated against Latino consumers in vehicle transactions. On average, Latino consumers who shop at Coulter pay nearly $1,200 more in interest and add-on charges than their non-Latino White counterparts. These increased costs come in the form of higher interest rate markups on financing, as well as higher charges for various add-on products.

The complaint charges Coulter and Depaola for violations of the FTC Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act.

Under the terms of the proposed federal court order with the FTC and the State of Arizona, Coulter and Depaola are required to pay a $2.6 million judgment, of which $2.35 million will be used to provide refunds to consumers harmed by their allegedly unlawful actions. The proposed settlement also requires Coulter to establish a comprehensive fair lending program that includes appointing a fair lending officer, conducting employee training, and implementing policies for charging fees and markups.

The Commission vote authorizing the staff to file the complaint and stipulated final order was 5-0. The complaint and stipulated final order were filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona. Chair Lina M. Kahn, Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Commissioner Alvaro M. Bedoya issued a majority statement. Commissioner Melissa Holyoak issued a statement. Commissioner Andrew Ferguson issued a statement.

NOTE: The Commission files a complaint when it has “reason to believe” that the named defendants are violating or are about to violate the law and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest.  Stipulated final orders have the force of law when approved and signed by the District Court judge.

The staff attorneys on this matter are Sanya Shahrasbi and Brian Berggren of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.

The United States and Switzerland share a profound commitment to advancing human rights, promoting democratic values, achieving global health goals, and ensuring peace and security worldwide. Our robust partnership is built on a foundation of mutual respect and cooperation in various domains, including trade and economic growth, technological and scientific innovation, cyber defense, and climate action. We commend Switzerland’s role in international diplomacy, including your support for the people of Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. We appreciate your contributions as our Protecting Power in Iran.

As we celebrate this important day together, I am confident that our partnership will continue to flourish, bringing prosperity and progress to both our nations and contributing to a safer, more interconnected world.

Best wishes on your National Day.

“I don’t get a pension. I have to save for it. If I do these three or four projects that we have in the pipeline, I’ll get a pretty good stream of passive income that will help me as I get older and will help me pass the farm on to the next generation.”

The solar industry has a lot to gain as well. The Solar Futures Study estimates that solar energy could require the use of 5.7 million acres of land by 2035. Although this acreage is only 0.3% of the continental U.S. land area, siting large-scale solar can cause local land-use conflicts, particularly with agricultural land. Agrivoltaic projects have the potential to resolve some of these conflicts, to the benefit of both farmers and the solar industry. 

In September 2023, the company settled allegations that it repeatedly violated the FTC’s Mail, Internet, and Telephone Order Merchandise Rule (Mail Order Rule) and suppressed negative online reviews in violation of the FTC Act. The FTC’s complaint against Hey Dude charged that the company failed to notify customers about shipping delays, did not provide cancellations or refunds for delayed orders, and used gift cards in place of monetary compensation to refund customers who never received their orders in violation of the Mail Order Rule. The FTC also alleged that Hey Dude violated the FTC Act by only publishing the highest ratings to its website from a third-party online management review interface and suppressed more than 80% of online reviews that did not give four or more stars out of a possible five.

The FTC is sending PayPal payments to 36,757 consumers who experienced unexpected cancellations and shipping delays or received gift cards from the company instead of refunds for out-of-stock items. Consumers should redeem their PayPal payment within 30 days.

Consumers who have questions about their payment should contact the refund administrator, JND Legal Administration, at 877-495-1096 or visit the FTC’s website to view frequently asked questions about the refund process. The Commission never requires people to pay money or provide account information to get a refund.

The Commission’s interactive dashboards for refund data provide a state-by-state breakdown of refunds in FTC cases. In 2023, FTC actions led to $324 million in refunds to consumers across the country.

“The first half of 2024 has already broken records for the hottest days in Earth’s history, and as extreme weather continues to hit every part of the country, we must act with urgency to strengthen our aging grid to protect American communities,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “The Biden-Harris Administration is investing in the most crucial component of the nation’s infrastructure, expanding and hardening the grid to allow more resilient, clean power to reach more household, and support the ongoing manufacturing boom—all while creating thousands of local jobs.” 

“In order to reach President Biden and Vice President Harris’ climate and clean energy goals, we need a bigger, smarter, more resilient grid,” said John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy. “Today’s awards are bringing us closer to our clean energy future by building out transmission and upgrading grid infrastructure from North Carolina to California.” 

“Under President Biden and Vice President Harris’s leadership, the United States is leading an unprecedented expansion in the capacity of the existing U.S. transmission network, which will further catalyze our work to deliver reliable, affordable power across the country," said White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi. “As we build out the nation’s power grid to keep pace with historic manufacturing and clean energy growth, we are doing so by harnessing innovative technologies to lower energy costs, create hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs, and take on the climate crisis. The investments we are making today will enhance the strength and resilience of our grid, especially in the face of more climate-fueled extreme weather events like wildfires, flooding, and extreme heat.”   

Part of DOE’s Building a Better Grid Initiative and authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the GRIP Program funding represents the federal government’s single largest direct investment into critical grid infrastructure – part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic actions to get grid updates funded, permitting, and deployed across the country. Today’s selections are made through Grid Innovation Program grants, one of three GRIP funding mechanisms, that seek to deploy projects that use innovative approaches to transmission, storage, and distribution infrastructure to enhance grid resilience and reliability. 

Across the 8 projects, over $300 million will be invested in community workforce development, scholarships and apprentice programs, as well as grants to community organizations. GRIP projects also include strategies to ensure meaningful community and labor engagement and quality. Six of eight GRIP projects will utilize local partnerships with labor unions, at least five of which will partner with local chapters of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).  

The full list of projects is available online.

Selected projects will leverage: 

• Innovative transmission infrastructure to improve grid resilience and reliability and integrate more clean energy to the grid. 
  • Two projects will deploy large new transmission lines: Clean Path New York (New York Power Authority) and North Plains Connector (Montana Department of Commerce). The two lines, totaling about 625 miles, will increase grid capacity by about 4,300 MW by deploying high voltage, direct current (HVDC) technology, among other things. 
    • Clean Path New York will deploy HVDC cables underground and underwater to minimize right-of-way impacts that can be associated with large-scale transmission projects.
    • The North Plains Connector project, headed by the Montana Department of Commerce in partnership with the North Dakota Transmission Authority will increase interregional transfer capacity and provide instantaneous change of direction in electricity flows to support the eastern or western grid when required, improving resilience and reliability. The project will also enable the development of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s wind resources.  
• Advanced technology upgrades to deploy innovative grid technologies including advanced conductors, dynamic line ratings, microgrids, and advanced distribution management systems to increase grid capacity using existing rights of way.  
  • Six projects will implement innovative technologies on the existing electric grid, increasing grid capacity and transforming grid operations. 
  • Three projects will deploy advanced conductors at scale to upgrade about 400 miles of existing transmission lines.  
  • Three projects will deploy dynamic line rating, a grid-enhancing technology that can increase system utilization by enabling transmission lines to increase power flow while still operating safely. 
  • The Biden-Harris Administration is catalyzing national collaboration on deploying these modern grid technologies, including through a Federal-State Modern Grid Deployment Initiative.  
• Federal, interstate, and private sector collaboration to demonstrate innovative collaborations and partnerships, particularly across states and with the private sector. 
  • The RELIEF project–headed by the Utah Office of Energy Development in collaboration with the states of Arizona, Idaho, Oregon, and Wyoming, as well as the California Independent System Operator—will address system contingency issues and prevent over 5,500 hours of potential outages for 700,000 utility customers in five states. 
  • The Power Up New England project headed by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources is a collaboration with the states of Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Vermont. The project will reduce wholesale energy supply costs for New England customers by about $1.55 billion and create new offshore wind interconnections in Massachusetts and in Connecticut, which—in addition to enabling 4,800 MW of offshore wind. 

The Investing in America agenda is providing the largest electric grid infrastructure investment in history to strengthen America’s power grid while lowering energy costs and creating good-paying jobs. Under the Biden-Harris Administration’s leadership, the U.S. is projected to build more new electric generation capacity this year than in two decades while also mobilizing to upgrade thousands of miles of existing transmission lines. This includes catalyzing nationwide collaboration on modern grid technologies and funding their deployment, accelerating transmission permitting, and increasing grid capacity to support electricity demand to support increased electrification, data centers, and manufacturing. 

In addition to the Grid Innovation Program, the GRIP Program includes two additional funding mechanisms: Grid Resilience Utility and Industry Grants that provide funding to the private sector to strengthen and modernize America’s power grid against wildfires, extreme weather, and other disruptive events that are exacerbated by the effects of climate change, with a focus on grid hardening efforts; and Smart Grid Grants fund technology investments that will increase how much power the grid can handle; prevent faults that may lead to wildfires or other system disturbances, integrate more renewable energy; and facilitate the integration of electrified vehicles, buildings, and other devices. The second round of selections for GRIP’s the Grid Resilience Utility and Industry Grants and the Smart Grid Grants will be announced later this year. 

Learn more about the Grid Deployment Office. 

The first NOI will support Tribal clean energy planning and development, and the second NOI will support Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) planning to transition to clean energy. 

Through these planned FOAs, the Office of Indian Energy will continue its effort to advance Tribal energy sovereignty and maximize the deployment of clean, reliable, affordable, and local energy solutions.

“These planned FOAs are intended to provide Tribes and Tribal entities funds and resources to begin planning for the clean energy transition and to catalyze Tribal energy project plans that will lead to clean energy hardware installations,” said Office of Indian Energy Director Wahleah Johns. “Our hope is that by funding these initial steps, the foundation will be laid by Tribes and Tribal entities to find energy solutions that work for their communities.”

DOE anticipates issuing the following two Tribal energy funding opportunities in late summer 2024.

Tribal Clean Energy Planning and Development NOI (DE-FOA-0003400)

This planned FOA will solicit applications for the planning, assessment, and development of clean energy projects on Tribal buildings or Tribal lands. Specifically, the Office of Indian Energy is soliciting applications from Indian Tribes, which include Alaska Native Regional Corporations and Village Corporations, Intertribal Organizations, and Tribal Energy Development Organizations, to:

1. Conduct Tribal clean energy planning
2. Comprehensively assess the feasibility and viability of deploying clean energy technology on Tribal lands, or 
3. Conduct clean energy project design and development activities for deployment on Tribal buildings or Tribal lands.

Under the planned FOA, the Office of Indian Energy anticipates making approximately $25 million available with awards that range from $100,000 to $2,500,000. 

A 10% recipient cost share is anticipated to be required under the planned FOA. However, the Office of Indian Energy may provide an opportunity for eligible applicants to request a cost share reduction from 10% to 0% based on poverty rate and median household income of the Tribal community relative to the statewide median household income. 

Download the NOI (DE-FOA-0003400) for Tribal Clean Energy Planning and Development – 2025. 

TCUs Planning for Clean Energy Transition NOI (DE-FOA-0003402)

This planned FOA intends to provide financial support to TCUs to plan the transition of their campuses to clean energy. The Office of Indian Energy will only consider applications from TCUs. Applications from a consortium of TCUs will be accepted but must be submitted by a single TCU acting as the applicant and representing the consortium. 

Under the planned FOA, the Office of Indian Energy anticipates making approximately $5 million available with awards that range from $100,000 to $250,000 for planning grants. No recipient cost share is anticipated under the planned FOA.

Download the NOI (DE-FOA-3402) for Tribal Colleges and Universities Planning for Clean Energy Transition – 2025. 

Learn More About Office of Indian Energy Investments

In partnership with Native communities, the Office of Indian Energy will continue to build on its efforts to accelerate the deployment of energy infrastructure on Tribal lands through these planned FOAs. In addition to the $75 million committed to Tribal energy projects selected in 2023, between 2010 and 2022, the DOE Office of Indian Energy invested over $120 million in more than 210 Tribal energy projects implemented across the contiguous 48 states and Alaska. 

These projects, valued at more than $215 million, are leveraged by over $93 million in recipient cost share. Please see the DOE Office of Indian Energy’s Tribal Energy Projects Database for a map and summaries of these competitively funded projects.

Find more information about past funding opportunities and learn more on the DOE Office of Indian Energy website. 

“Schools are the centers of our communities, and the need for investment in our children’s learning environments is key to ensure their overall well-being and ultimate success.” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “With today’s funding, DOE is creating new pathways for districts and partners so thousands of students can learn in safe, sustainable schools creating a healthy environment for all.” 

“Our nation’s schools – including classrooms, buildings, and operations – are essential to taking on the climate crisis as we work to both reduce pollution and create safer, healthier learning environments for children, especially in the face of new weather extremes like record, climate-fueled heat waves,” said White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi. “Under the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, this Administration is continuing to implement the nation’s first comprehensive strategy for climate-smart schools, providing historic new tools to enable bold climate progress across the country – including the investments announced today. These grants will go a long way toward upgrading our nation’s classrooms with innovative solutions, from installing clean energy technologies that lower costs to installing new HVAC systems that improve indoor air quality, and they will create good paying union jobs at the same time.” 

DOE recognizes the significant impacts of healthy and safe facilities for students, teachers, and administrators. Poor indoor environmental quality can increase illnesses and absences and decrease academic performance; lighting influences cognition and academic performance, and so does thermal comfort. Over the past decade, the combination of temperature increases and either poorly equipped or poorly maintained energy infrastructure has doubled the frequency of school closures due to heat in many areas of the country, creating health and economic ripple effects for entire communities.  

The 16 selectees are partnering with over 100 entities, including subrecipient local educational agencies (LEAs), consultants, energy service companies, utility companies, state and local government offices, financing partners, labor unions, and federally funded research and development centers. Overall, 55 LEAs will benefit from these funds. 

Selectees for Prize & Cooperative Agreement: 

• Alaska Municipal League & 3 LEAs (AK) 
• Canton City School District (OH) 
• Charter Schools Development Corporation & 13 LEAs (AZ, GA, IN, MI, MN, MO, NM, NY, NV, OH) 
• Irvington Public Schools (NJ) 
• Little Rock School District (AR) 
• Lowell Public Schools (MA) 
• Marion County School District (SC) 
• Miami-Dade County Public Schools (FL) 
• Omni Energy Partners LLC & 9 LEAs (IL) 
• Oregon Department of Education & 7 LEAs (OR) 
• Pittsburgh Public Schools & 1 LEA (PA) 
• Raza Development Fund, Inc & 11 LEAs (AZ, CA, MN, NM, TX, NY, WA) 
• Richmond Public Schools (VA) 
• Rockingham County Schools (NC) 
• Saint Louis Public Schools (MO) 
• Wichita Public Schools (KS) 

Prize Winners: 

• Broward County Public Schools (FL) 
• Chicago Public Schools (IL) 
• Hoke County Schools (NC) 
• School District of Philadelphia (PA) 
• West Kentucky Educational Cooperative (KY) 

Delivering on DOE’s Commitment to Healthy Learning Environments 

The 2024 Renew America’s Schools Prize and Grant will support energy improvement projects like new heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, building envelope and lighting upgrades, alternative fuel (such as electric) vehicles and infrastructure, and renewable energy technologies. In alignment with the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative to put environmental and economic justice at the center of America’s transition to a net-zero economy, project benefits – including health benefits from improved indoor air quality, improved thermal comfort, better lighting, and cost savings from reduced energy expenditures – will flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened with pollution. One hundred percent of Selectees are supporting identified disadvantaged communities), and 71% of funded school facilities are in identified disadvantaged communities; 94% serve populations in which more than 50% of students qualify for Free-and-Reduced-Price-Lunch (FRPL), and 88% serve populations in which more than 75% of students qualify for FRPL. Forty-four percent of Selectee portfolios include schools in a rural locale, and 19% include schools that serve Tribes.  

The 2024 Renew America’s Schools Prize and Grant supports the Investing in America Agenda, creating well-paying jobs and upskilling the American workforce while building infrastructure to support a net-zero economy. Eighty-eight percent of Selectees will offer workforce training through varied mechanisms, including community-based apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship readiness programs, university programs, and job-shadowing. Sixty-three percent of Selectees have made commitments to engage local labor, and 63% cited specific labor unions with whom they intend to partner. Forty-four percent have made commitments to engage, partner, or contract with community-based organizations, Tribal entities, women-focused programs or women businesses enterprises, minority business enterprises, and/or veteran business enterprises. 

This announcement builds on the Biden-Harris Administration’s broader commitment to ensure that America’s children have what they need to thrive in the classroom. Since the Biden-Harris Action Plan for Building Better School Infrastructure was first announced in April 2022, the administration’s historic legislative accomplishments continue to deliver safer, healthier, and more environmentally sustainable learning environments for America’s children, while saving school districts money, creating good jobs, and combatting climate change. The Renew America’s Schools Program played an integral role in the White House Summit for Sustainable and Healthy K-12 School Buildings and Grounds, which took place in April 2024, and the Program continues to catalyze sector change by developing and curating resources, convening stakeholders, and funding projects that demonstrate scalable and replicable models for school energy improvements. 

The 2024 Renew America’s Schools Prize and Grant is the second round of funding from the Renew America’s Schools Program, a first-of-its-kind, $500 million program funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Established in 2022 as part of the Biden-Harris Action Plan for Building Better School Infrastructure, the Renew America’s Schools Program helps schools across the country make energy upgrades that will decrease energy use and costs, improve indoor air quality, and foster healthier learning environments.  

Visit 2024 Renew America’s Schools Prize and Grant webpage to learn more about Winners and Selectees.  For tools, resources, and other opportunities, visit the Renew America’s Schools Program page or join our mailing list.Contact us at schools@doe.gov. DOE anticipates opening applications for a third round of funding in Fall 2025.  

Washington, DC-- Over three days last week, Secretary Buttigieg was in three different Midwest states highlighting the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda. He saw projects receiving funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, met with agriculture producers, port leaders, and workers at small and mid-sized ports in Michigan and Wisconsin, as well as in facilities in Kokomo, Indiana, including a new EV battery manufacturing facility that is fueling a construction boom and adding thousands of jobs to the region. The Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda—which includes the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act—is catalyzing private sector investments and supporting tens of thousands of projects in all 50 states.

• Read Secretary Buttigieg’s remarks at Port Milwaukee here.
• Read Secretary Buttigieg’s remarks from Kokomo, Indiana, here.

Read the coverage of Secretary Buttigieg’s port and auto factory visits:

Milwaukee: 

WISN: Transportation Secretary Buttigieg in Milwaukee, visits WISN 12

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is in Wisconsin to tour ports receiving federal funding for infrastructure improvements. The Port of Milwaukee received over 9 million dollars from the Bipartisan Infrastructure law.

After visiting the port, Secretary Buttigieg is expected to meet with Governor Tony Evers to see the Amtrak Borealis service line.

WTMJ: U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visits Milwaukee

The visit was part of Buttigieg’s Great Lakes Ports tour, making stops in several waterfront communities utilizing dollars from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In Milwaukee, around nine million of those dollars are being spent on improvements to Port Milwaukee.

WITI: Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visits Milwaukee as VP pick nears

Buttigieg started his day at Port Milwaukee. He highlighted some federal funding from the bipartisan infrastructure law, a $9.3 million grant announced last year. The money is helping the DeLong Company expand its export facility, building more storage and equipment to handle more grain.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Pete Buttigieg visits Milwaukee to highlight port investments, ride Amtrak lineButtigieg visited the Port of Milwaukee to highlight federal funding — more than $9 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law — that helped upgrade its agricultural export facilities. Buttigieg toured the facilities with local officials including Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson.

Urban Milwaukee: Pete Buttigieg Tours Port With Mayor, Rides Train With Governor

Buttigieg said President Joe Biden’s administration was committed to making investments to help people and goods move “safety and efficiently” through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. He said that included the $1 billion Blatnik Bridge project between Superior and Duluth and several small projects, like the conversion of the S.S. Badger in Manitowoc from coal to gas. “For every bridge with a billion-dollar project like that, there are hundreds of rural off-system bridges that we are supporting, too.”

Racine County Eye: Secretary Pete Buttigieg: Infrastructure investments make positive impact on Racine

The investments at the Port of Milwaukee are part of a larger strategy to bolster the economy by improving supply chains and transportation infrastructure. Buttigieg noted that better supply chains help fight inflation by reducing shipping costs, which ultimately benefits consumers.

WUWM 89.7 FM: Transportation Secretary Buttigieg talks trains, grain, but not about VP campaign while in Milwaukee

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visited a federally-supported port facility in Manitowoc on Tuesday, and on Wednesday, he made two stops in Milwaukee that were open to the news media.

Spectrum News 1: U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg highlights infrastructure investments during Port Milwaukee visit

Buttigieg credited those economic opportunities to the policies, partnerships, and funds provided by the Biden-Harris administration with the hopes more Wisconsinites would understand the impact. “This really is the start of a new and better era for America’s heartland and it’s not happening by chance,” Buttigieg said.

Telemundo: El Secretario de Transporte de EE. UU. Visita el Puerto de Milwaukee

Durante su gira por los puertos de los Grandes Lagos, Buttigieg pudo observar los avances en infraestructura logrados gracias a la administración Biden. “Así estamos apoyando trabajos bien remunerados en los sectores agrícolas y manufactureros. Es crucial invertir en las cadenas de suministro, como el puerto aquí en Milwaukee,” afirmó el secretario.

Green Bay:

WFRV: (Video) U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg traveling to Green Bay area, Upper Peninsula

WKOW: Transportation Secretary Buttigieg visits ports in Wisconsin and Michigan

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was in both Wisconsin and Michigan's upper peninsula Tuesday to tour several ports receiving major grants for infrastructure improvements. It's all part of a $17 billion package included in the bipartisan infrastructure law.

WLUK: Secretary Buttigieg visits Menominee and Manitowoc ports as part of Great Lakes tour

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg is in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and Northeast Wisconsin Tuesday as part of a Great Lakes ports tour. Ports and waterways across the nation received $17 billion through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to strengthen supply chain reliability, speed up the movement of goods, reduce costs and reduce air pollution.

YouTube: (Video): U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg traveling to Green Bay area, Upper Peninsula

Indiana: 

IndyStar: (Photos) Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg visits Kokomo

WISH-TV: (Photos) Pete Buttigieg visits Kokomo

Forbes Breaking News: (Video): Transportation Sec. Pete Buttigieg Holds Press Conference At Future EV Battery Plant In Indiana

Greater Garden City: Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg Highlighting Job Growth In The Midwest In Central Indiana

WRTV: Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg tours electric vehicle battery plant in Kokomo

According to Buttigieg, the plants in Kokomo are two of the 400 new or expanding facilities nationwide. Those facilities are creating 140,000 jobs across the country.

He says these jobs are moving America’s future forward.

Indiana Captial Chronicle: Transportation Secretary Buttigieg touts homegrown EV manufacturing, union jobs at Kokomo stop

He eschewed the region’s “Rust Belt” title, calling it a “Battery Belt” thanks to recent investments. “The focus on American manufacturing, American-made products and American workers has characterized this administration — and delivered big results,” he said.

Indiana Public Media: Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visits Kokomo as part of Midwest automotive tour

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg highlighted Indiana’s role in helping build the future of electric vehicles Friday. Buttigieg toured an electric vehicle battery plant set to open in Kokomo. The plant is a joint venture between car-maker Stellantis and Samsung. It’s expected to open next year and create more than 1,400 jobs. Buttigieg said the best way to secure good paying careers in America is by building electric vehicles and the components that go into them.

WIBC: Buttigieg Talks Electric Vehicles, Climate, and Jobs in Kokomo

He also believes that clean energy is not only enhancing manufacturing, but it’s also creating jobs across the Upper Midwest along with the rest of the country. “This is what climate jobs look like. Some call them green collar jobs. I see them as blue collar jobs. However you want to characterize them, they are the jobs of the future,” said Buttigieg.

WTHR: Pete Buttigieg speaks at Stellantis engine plant Kokomo, addresses concerns with EVs

Buttigieg labeled Indiana part of the up-and-coming battery belt and emphasized the importance of building the industry here. “Building EV’s and the components that go with them is one of the best ways we can secure these good-paying careers on American soil and I know that the workers and students here take pride in knowing that they are helping American win that global competition,” he said.

The Herald Bulletin: THE BATTERY BELT: Buttigieg visits Kokomo to tout transition to EVs, visit Stellantis facilities

Buttigieg said the facilities also represent the biggest change to hit the automotive industry since Kokomo inventor Elwood Haynes in 1894 tested one of the nation’s first cars on Pumpkin Vine Pike on the city’s southside. “I couldn’t be more excited about the moment that we’re in and the turnaround a place like Howard County, Indiana, has seen, the future that is in front of us and the innovation we have to come,” he said. The transportation secretary and former South Bend mayor toured the construction site of the Kokomo battery facility Friday as part of a trip around the Midwest touting the nearly $500 billion invested so far from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Law.

The FTC first filed suit against the FES scheme in May, 2022, alleging that the company preyed on consumers with low credit scores by luring them in with the false promise of an easy fix and then recruiting them to join a pyramid scheme selling the credit repair services to others, costing them millions of dollars.

“These companies promised to clean up people’s credit but failed to deliver. Meanwhile, honest businesses make money selling products and services, not by recruiting, and the drive to recruit, especially when coupled with inflated income claims, is the hallmark of an illegal pyramid,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “The FTC is committed to stopping deceptive credit repair tactics and shutting down illegal pyramid schemes that prey on struggling consumers.”

The FTC’s complaint charged that FES and its owners, operators and associated companies deceived consumers about their credit repair products and charged them upfront for the service. In addition, the pyramid scheme made overinflated income claims that consumers could make tens of thousands of dollars recruiting others into FES.

The proposed settlements in the case will lead to more than $12 million being turned over to the FTC for use in providing refunds to affected consumers, as well as conduct prohibitions against the defendants as follows:

• Defendant Parimal Naik, along with Financial Education Services, Inc., United Wealth Services, Inc., VR-Tech, LLC, Youth Financial Literacy Foundation, and LK Commercial Lending LLC will be permanently prohibited from numerous forms of unlawful activities related to credit repair services and pyramid schemes, and will be required to put a compliance monitoring system in place to ensure its employees and contractors do not violate the terms of the settlement. In addition, they will be required to turn over $5.5 million in cash
• Defendant Michael Toloff, along with VR-Tech Mgt, LLC, and Statewide Commercial Lending LLC will be permanently banned from providing any credit repair services, as well as being permanently banned from any involvement in multi-level marketing. In addition, they (along with relief defendant Gayle Toloff) will be required to turn over cash and the value of numerous cars, a boat, and multiple real estate properties, totaling millions of dollars.
• Defendant Christopher Toloff, along with CM Rent Inc., will be permanently banned from providing any credit repair services, as well as being permanently banned from any involvement in multi-level marketing. In addition, they will be required to turn over $1.7 million.
• Defendant Gerald Thompson will be permanently banned from providing any credit repair services, as well as being permanently banned from any involvement in multi-level marketing. In addition, he will be required to turn over $215,000.

The Commission vote approving the stipulated final orders was 5-0. The FTC filed the proposed ordersin the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

NOTE: Stipulated final orders have the force of law when approved and signed by the District Court judge.

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  That’s right.

FOREIGN MINISTER BATTSETSEG:  — in USA.  So we have (inaudible) visit (inaudible) realize this short time and (inaudible) appointed as the foreign minister.  Thank you, Minister, and welcome you and your team to Mongolia.

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Thank you so much.  It’s wonderful for me to be back here.  I was here with President Biden when he was vice president, and have very strong memories of that visit, but I was eager to come myself.  And as you said, it follows our meeting just a week ago or so in Washington, and I think that of itself is evidence of the vitality of the relationship, the partnership, all that we’re doing together.  I know we’ll have a chance to talk about that later, but I’m thrilled to be here.  And thank you for the warm hospitality.

And we regard the United States as our trusted partner, strategic partner, and close friend.  And I would like to emphasize that one of the priorities of Mongolia’s foreign policy is further strengthen our relationship with the United States.  And we are very happy that our Minister Battsetseg paid a visit to the United States last week at your invitation and successfully organized the inaugural Mongolia-U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Dialogue.

And we see that the United States attaches a great importance to our bilateral relationship, and you, Mr. Secretary, paying a visit to Mongolia after just one week of our foreign minister’s visit is a clear demonstration of the U.S. commitments to further expand our cooperation.  And also, we appreciate the fact the United States is committed to further expand and strengthen our bilateral ties within the framework of the Indo-Pacific Strategy.

And as a great Mongolian tradition, I would like to welcome you, our dear guests, to give your remarks, and I would like to hear your thoughts, Mr. Secretary.

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Mr. President, thank you so much.  Thank you for this warm welcome. And first, I bring greetings from President Biden and Vice President Harris.  We’re so pleased to be your third neighbor, and we want to be more than that – good neighbors.  And I think that’s manifesting itself in the work that we’re doing together, including through the Comprehensive Strategic Dialogue.  We’re strengthening our economic ties, our political ties, our people-to-people connections.  There is much we’ve already done together, but so much more that I’m convinced we can and will do, and I’m grateful for the – not only the warm reception, but the very good work that we’ve been able to do to advance, to strengthen our partnership for the benefit of people here in Mongolia and in the United States.

Thank you for receiving us today.

PRESIDENT KHURELSUKH:  (Via interpreter) Thank you very much.

MODERATOR:  (Via interpreter) Distinguished guests, representatives of the media outlets, ladies and gentlemen:  United States Secretary of State, the Honorable Antony Blinken, is paying an official visit to Mongolia at the invitation of Her Excellency Battsetseg Batmunkh, minister for foreign affairs of Mongolia.  The minister and the Secretary just held official talks and exchanged views on a wide range of topics related to Mongolia-U.S. Strategic Third Neighbor Partnership.  Now, Minister Battsetseg and Secretary Blinken will deliver statements following the outcomes of their official talks.

I am pleased to invite Minister Battsetseg to address the media.

FOREIGN MINISTER BATTSETSEG:  (Via interpreter) Dear Secretary of State Antony Blinken, dear media representatives, ladies and gentlemen:  Good afternoon to you all.  Now, I am pleased to give a brief information about the official talks that I held with Secretary Blinken.  I am thrilled that U.S. Secretary of State, the Honorable Antony Blinken, is paying an official visit to Mongolia.

Your visit is special because it occurs right after the inaugural United States-Mongolia Comprehensive Strategic Dialogue that we launched in Washington, D.C. last week.  And also this is a very important visit because it is happening after the – after I have been reappointed as the foreign minister of Mongolia.  I would like to emphasize that my visit was – my visit to the United States was the first overseas trip as the foreign minister of Mongolia, and I do believe that your visit is of great significance to continue the conversation to deliver concrete results on the cooperation issues discussed during the dialogue.

The Secretary of State and I just held official talks and exchanged views on the possibilities of further consolidating the Strategic Third Neighbor Partnership between Mongolia and the United States, and enhancing cooperation in all areas of mutual benefit, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.  Our conversation was productive, warm, and frank; and I am satisfied with these outcomes.  The relationship between Mongolia and the United States has actively grown throughout our 37 years of diplomatic relations since its establishment in 1987.  This is a clear testament to our two countries’ commitment to our shared values that uphold democracy, human rights, freedom, and common interests to ensure peace, stability, and prosperity.

The United States plays a leading role in Mongolia’s third neighbor policy.  In this framework, our two countries’ political relationship is further strengthening through bilateral and trilateral mechanisms, our collaboration in regional and international arenas is deepening, and now the United States has become Mongolia’s close friend and strategic partner.  I am delighted to underscore that the ties between our two countries have never been stronger.

I am content that following Mongolian Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene’s visit to the United States in August 2023, we released the joint statement on the Strategic Third Neighbor Partnership between Mongolia and the United States of America, which celebrated our achievements and milestones of the past, and set visions and goals for future cooperation.

On behalf of the Government of Mongolia, I would like to emphasize my eagerness to enrich the solid relations and cooperation in the spirit of our Strategic Third Neighbor Partnership even further.  The Economic Cooperation Roadmap for the Strategic Third Neighbor Partnership that Secretary Blinken and I signed during our prime minister’s visit is an essential document for increasing bilateral, commercial, and economic ties, and advancing our shared goal of attracting American investments to Mongolia.

I am pleased that we are bolstering our bilateral cooperation and seeking possibilities to improve the investment climate in Mongolia, and we are pleased that many American companies are very interested to invest in Mongolia.  The Mongolian side is very content to further our cooperation investment with American companies.  Also, we have exchanged information on the investment climate improvement the government is doing during the recent years.

And as you know, Mongolian Government has made English as the secondary education language, and Secretary Blinken just informed me that the U.S. Government is committing to open an English language excellence training center in Ulaanbaatar.  It will be of great importance to train and build capacity of Mongolian English language teachers.  Also, we are content that we are making progress on launching nonstop passenger flights between our two countries, and also we’re making progress on including extending the U.S.-Mongolia Child Protection Compact Partnership, and we’re committed to holding the energy dialogue this year in Ulaanbaatar.

Mr. Secretary, we are always grateful for the successive U.S. administrations’ steadfast support in Mongolia’s transition to democracy and market economy, building an independent civil society, and improving investment climate efforts from the very beginning.  Fostering our strategic partnership is not hindered by geographical remoteness, and people‑to‑people bonds serve as an important pillar of our bilateral relations.  I want to highlight that the growing Mongolian community in the United States, the Peace Corps volunteers who have reached every corner of Mongolia, mutual assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, and gracious U.S. aid during this winter’s exceptionally harsh dzud attest to the true spirit of our partnership.

I am very to happy – happy to see you, Mr. Secretary, in my country.  I have my complete confidence that your visit will serve as a crucial impetus to further strengthen and expand the Mongolia-U.S. Strategic Third Neighbor Partnership and cooperation for the prosperity of both our nations and the benefit of our two peoples.

Thank you very much.

MODERATOR:  (Via interpreter) Thank you, Minister Battsetseg.  Secretary Blinken, you have the floor.

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Well, thank you very much.  And Foreign Minister Battsetseg, thank you so much for your incredibly warm hospitality, for the very good conversations we’ve had already today, pursuing the conversations that we had just a short while ago in Washington.  It’s great for me to be here to continue the momentum from last week’s inaugural Comprehensive Strategic Dialogue, and I think we’ve done exactly that today.

This visit to Mongolia, following stops in Laos, in Vietnam, in Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, is part of my 18th trip to the Indo-Pacific as Secretary of State.  I’m here because, as President Biden often says, so much of our shared future will be written in this region.

Throughout this trip, I’ve heard from countries across the region about the vision that we all share for a free, open, connected, secure, prosperous, resilient region.  That means, simply put, that problems will be dealt with openly; rules will be reached transparently and applied fairly; people, goods, ideas will be able to flow freely and lawfully on land, skies, cyberspace, the open seas.  And it means that people and countries will have the freedom to choose their own future.

Mongolia is a central partner in this region.  The United States and Mongolia are proud third neighbors – linked by shared democratic values, linked by common interests.  Today our two nations are partnering more closely on more issues than ever, to the benefit of our people and to the benefit of people across the region.  We’re building greater economic resilience that drives prosperity for our people.  Guided by the economic roadmap that we launched last summer, we’re strengthening supply chains, we’re reducing economic dependencies, we’re creating good jobs – that includes clean energy, where Mongolia has tremendous potential in renewables, and the digital economy, so that we can help Mongolia’s economy be more connected, more resilient, and more secure.

We’re strengthening water security through our Millenium Challenge Corporation Water Compact.  That partnership is going to increase Ulaanbaatar’s water supply by 80 percent.  That’s a game-changer for business, for industry, for the global supply chains that we’re part of.  We’re working, as the foreign minister said, to establish direct flights between our countries, building on the Open Skies agreement that we signed just last year.  That will create new opportunities for trade as well as for tourism.  And that’s essential because our people-to-people connections really are the lifeblood of this partnership.  Thousands of Mongolians have studied in the United States, including, among others, the prime minister, and I look forward to seeing him later today.

We’re committed to creating more opportunities for Mongolians to study in the United States and to learn English here in Mongolia.  As the foreign minister said, today we are announcing the U.S.-Mongolia Excellence in English initiative, which will significantly expand the number of high school students studying under our Access English program.  It will also boost the number of fellows, number of specialists supporting English teaching capacity in Mongolian universities.  We’re also launching a new Center of Excellence for English language teaching at the National University of Mongolia.  This will further raise standards for local English language teaching.  And we’re partnering with the United Kingdom, with Australia, with Canada, as well as with Google and Teach for Mongolia, to set up the center, which will be run by Mongolians with our collective support.

The United States and Mongolia are also working together closely on shared regional and global challenges.  That includes the DPRK’s missile launches.  The United States appreciates Mongolia’s willingness to promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.  And both of us stand up for the principles at the heart of the UN Charter: sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence.  I made clear that the United States would continue to support Mongolia’s ability to import critical commodities in the short term and diversify its energy sources over the long term.

Finally, we’re working together both to uphold and promote our shared values.  Thirty-five years ago, Mongolians went to the polls, voted for democracy.  The United States stands as a partner in upholding and advancing our shared values.  We’re expanding our joint efforts to strengthen good governance and rule of law to fight corruption, to uphold fundamental freedoms, including the freedom to practice one’s own religion.  We’re also partnering to protect the most vulnerable, including child victims of trafficking and forced labor.  Today we’re announcing an additional $1 million over the next year to support this work through the Child Protection Compact.  Virtually every day, this relationship, this partnership between the United States and Mongolia is reaching new levels.  Soon, we’ll break ground on a state-of-the-art new U.S. embassy compound worthy of our ambitious vision for our partnership and of the American and Mongolian people who are working every day to make that vision a reality.

Thank you.

MODERATOR:  (In Mongolian.)

QUESTION:  Welcome, Mr. Secretary of State Blinken.  Mongolia is one of the main partners of the United States in Asia.  Currently, Mongolia and U.S. are communicating at the level of Strategic Third Neighbor Partnership.  The support from third neighboring country is – countries is important for Mongolia to increase its energy security and economic stability.  What real support of investment and technological assistance will the United States offer to increase Mongolia’s energy security and economic stability?  What is the position of the U.S. Government in this regard?

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Thank you very much.  I think we’re seeing that partnership, that relationship move forward every single day.  Just in the last few years, we’re seeing increasing economic connections, economic support, economic investment coming from the United States here in Mongolia in ways that are helping Mongolia develop key sectors, build resiliency in those sectors of the economy, create more opportunity and more jobs for Mongolians.  And what we talked about today was how do we take this to the next level.  I think there are tremendous potential and opportunity, particularly in the energy sector, for renewables, critical minerals.

And what we talked about today was how do we even more to strengthen the investment climate, because when the United States is engaged, it’s typically through our private sector.  The government supports that work.  We work with – closely with the private sector.  We work closely with other governments.  But fundamentally, these are decisions that the private sector makes about investments, and we want to make sure that the investment climate is as strong as it possibly can be here to attract all that investment with transparency, with the rule of law, with the kind of support that the private sector needs.

I’m convinced, based on what I know and see all around the world, that when the United States is engaged, when we’re investing, we’re doing it as a race to the top; investing in ways that meet the needs and the priorities of partner countries, of local communities; doing it in a way that, when it comes to anything involving manufacturing, that upholds the rights of workers, that make sure that we’re protecting the environment.  We don’t pile debt on countries as they’re working to strengthen their economies, and I think that creates outcomes that are beneficial to everyone.  So what we’re looking to do now is to look at how, again, we can raise that to the next level.  We’re working closely with the Mongolian Government on this.  I look forward to pursuing that conversation later today as well with the prime minister and the president, and I see tremendous potential ahead building on what we’ve already done.

Separate from that, I think what’s so important is for us to be doing everything we can to build – help build the capacity of Mongolia to reach its full potential as an economy and as a country engaged with the world.  And so for example, some of the technical support programs that we’re engaged in, they do that.  We just talked a lot about the – building English language capacity.  When the foreign minister was in Washington just a little over a week ago, one of the things that she highlighted to me was the strong support for those programs here in Mongolia and the desire to do more.  And just in the space of a week, we have looked at what we can do to expand our English language capacity building and programs here in Mongolia.

The reason this is so important is that in this moment in history, this moment in time, the English language is the international currency for business transactions, for engagement with the world.  And countries that have more and more people with that fluency, they’ll be able to fully engage in business, in trade, as well as in many other things that are really beneficial to those countries.  So we’re very proud to be able to work hand in hand with Mongolia on this.  I’m looking forward later today to actually meeting with some people who participated in these English language programs.

MODERATOR:  (Via interpreter) Thank you very much.  Can I now call Edward Wong of The New York Times?

QUESTION:  Hi.  Thank you very much.  First, for Secretary Blinken, when you talk about being a third neighbor of Mongolia, you’re clearly referring to both Russia and China, which are the main rivals of the U.S. as well as perhaps adversaries.  You and President Biden say you’re not trying to suppress or contain China’s rise.  But let’s pretend we’re sitting in Beijing looking at the range of U.S. policies and actions.  We have a U.S. military buildup in the region, U.S. efforts to continue strengthening its military alliances, of which the current trip is a part of.  We have President Biden continuing Trump-era tariffs, which are inflationary for the U.S. customer and consumer.  And we also have recent export control policies on advanced technology.

And you add to that President Biden’s framing of his foreign policy is democracies versus autocracies.  So given all that, are you able to present any convincing arguments to Chinese leaders and policymakers that you’re not trying to contain or suppress China’s rise?  And separate but related, five years from now what is the modus vivendi that you would like to see exist between the U.S. and China?  You’re clearly groping for some modus vivendi between the two nations.

And for Madam Foreign Minister, this is my fourth trip to Mongolia.  It’s been 16 years since I was last here.  And when I look around Ulaanbaatar, there’s clearly been a lot of economic growth.  Both China and Russia are clearly large trade partners of Mongolia.  On our trip across Asia with the Secretary, we’ve heard some Asian officials say the U.S. has to do more to enhance its commercial opportunities and ties with your nations.  Do you feel the U.S. is on a route to enhance its commercial ties in a sufficient manner with Mongolia?

Thank you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Ed, thank you very much.  And just very quickly on the last point that you addressed to the foreign minister, one of the things I noted throughout this trip on our previous stops – and this is particularly true with regards to the ASEAN countries – trade is usually important.  And we are a trading nation and all these countries are too, and we’ll always look for ways to enhance trade, and particularly with a focus on one of the critical elements of trade in the 21st century, the digital economy, is for all of us a growing part of our economies.  And one of the things that we’re doing through IPEF, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, is to look at ways to enhance digital trade.

But the other side of the coin is also hugely important and sometimes gets overlooked, and that’s foreign direct investment.  I noted on this trip that throughout the ASEAN countries, the United States is the largest provider by far of foreign direct investment.  And similarly, we happen to be, in the United States, the largest recipient around the world of foreign direct investment.  That’s a very powerful thing because it really is evidence of trust between countries as well as between private sectors.  It’s evidence of optimism and confidence about the future, because you don’t make investments unless you’re optimistic about where they’ll lead in the future.

And to me, that shows both the strength of our engagement throughout the region in ways that are benefitting people in the region and it shows the strength of the United States in this moment, of our economy, and confidence that countries, investors around the world have in the United States.  So I’m – I know you didn’t address that to me, but I did want to address it myself.

With regard to China, to the region, first, our focus is on a shared affirmative vision for the region: not about China but about the many countries that we’re working with who have this shared vision.  And as I said, it’s a vision for an open, for a connected, for a free, for a prosperous, for a resilient region.  And the relationships that we have – yes, there are military components to many of them, but that is only one part of the story.

And fundamentally we’re about doing everything we can together to enhance opportunity for people in the United States and people in these countries, to find ways to grow our economies, to make sure that we’re all building in resilience because we’ve seen – particularly in recent years – some of the vulnerabilities that we all have – for example, with supply chains.  And in each of these areas, this is not against any one country; it’s for a common vision that we share for what the future should look like.  And yes, part of that common vision is clearly the freedom to – for every country to make its own decisions, to make its own choices about the future.  And we stand strongly and always will for that proposition.

When it comes to China – and I, as you know, spent – I think it’s my sixth meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi just since a year ago in June – and many phone conversations as well – and we take very seriously the need to manage the relationship between the United States and China responsibly, and that’s exactly what we’ve been doing.  And as I’ve said many times before, it’s impossible to sum up what is one of the most complicated and consequential relationships on a bumper sticker.

There are clearly aspects of competition in the relationship, and this – from our perspective, competition is a good thing as long as its – as long as it’s fair, as long as it’s on a level playing field.  There are aspects of contestation where we have real differences, and we’re, as necessary, going to contest them.  And there are aspects of cooperation, because as two of the leading countries in the world, there are going to be and there have to be areas where we cooperate when it’s in the mutual interest of our people.  And I think we’ve demonstrated that.

So the modus vivendi is something that I think we’re putting into play, into practice right now.  It’s making sure that we’re engaged on all those levels, in all of those dimensions.  For the United States, it’s also about doing it from the position of strength and confidence, and that’s something we’ve been able to do in the last three and a half years in two ways.  One, we have made historic investments in ourselves.  President Biden through the infrastructure bill, through the CHIPS and Science Act, through the Inflation Reduction Act – these are investments that are resonating around the world because people see that we’re serious about our future, serious about our competitiveness, and that’s a tremendous source of strength.

And similarly, for my part, I’m very focused on making sure that we’re working closely with other countries that have a shared vision and a desire to work together to try to realize that vision.  Our alliances, our partnerships – both existing ones and new ones – are stronger and better than they’ve ever been.  But again, that’s for an affirmative purpose, not a negative purpose.  And I think that we have a – as you put it, a modus vivendi, and we’re looking to strengthen that every day.

FOREIGN MINISTER BATTSETSEG:  (Via interpreter) Thank you very much for the question.  Mongolia enjoys comprehensive strategic partnerships with both our nations – both our immediate neighbors, the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China.  And now we’re – and now we are pursuing our third neighbor policy very actively in the recent years; especially we want to expand and enrich our economic cooperation with our third neighbors; especially we seek to foster mutually beneficial cooperation; as well as we are interested to seek integration processes in the region.  And also many Mongolian youth and students are studying in the United States.  They are learning from the technological advancements and great developments in the United States.

And just now with the Secretary of State, we have discussed concrete issues of bilateral cooperation and attract investment from the United States within the framework of the Economic Cooperation Roadmap we signed in August 2023.  American investment is important for Mongolia, so we are eager cooperate to attract more investment from the United States in a short period of time.

And Mongolia is fostering friendly relations with all members of the United Nations.  We have established diplomatic relations with all the members of the UN, and we pursue open, peace-oriented, independent, multi-pillar foreign policy.  And I would like to emphasize that the United States has been extending steadfast support from the very beginning from our democratic transition and – democratic transition to a market economy.  And I would like to emphasize their support was crucial in fostering mutually beneficial cooperation.  Thank you very much.

MODERATOR:  (Via interpreter) Thank you.  Excuse me, dear media representatives, we have a short time left until the next meeting, so I would like to now a call on The Washington Post’s Michael Birnbaum.

QUESTION:  Thanks very much.  Secretary Blinken – is this on?

STAFF:  Yes.

QUESTION:  I have a question about the Mid East.  You just met with Prime Minister Netanyahu in Washington.  He didn’t tell you, it seems, about a Tehran assassination plan.  Critics say that Iran has been stringing you – Israel has been stringing you along on the ceasefire.  So my question is:  Does Israel need to contain – constrain itself on actions that might draw in the United States militarily if it wants continued support from the U.S., or do they have a blank check from you?  And I also wanted to ask:  How does the Tehron assassination affect the effort to reach a ceasefire?  Can you tell us specifically what you’re trying to do to salvage those ceasefire negotiations?

And for Madam Foreign Minister, I know that you’re working to find more neighbors, third neighbors, but if you look at a map, Russia and China are right next to you.  They’re always going to be right next to you.  What assurances was the Secretary able to give you today that the United States is going to be as interested in Mongolia in five years or ten years when it’s not working as potentially aggressively to try to deal with Russia, China, their connection?  I mean, how do you know the United States is in it for the long term with you?  Thank you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Michael, thank you.  With regard to the Middle East, right now the path that the region is on is toward more conflict, more violence, more suffering, more insecurity.  And it is crucial that we break the cycle, and that starts with a ceasefire that we’ve been working on and I believe is not only achievable; it has to be achieved.  And then building on that ceasefire to have an end to the conflict in Gaza, to produce calm in the north between Israel and Lebanon, and then to work on broader, more enduring peace and security.

But it all starts with a ceasefire, and to get there it also first requires all parties to stop taking any escalatory actions.  It also requires them to find reasons to come to an agreement, not to look for reasons to delay or say no to the agreement.  And it’s urgent that all parties make the right choices in the days ahead, because those choices are the difference between staying on this path of violence, of insecurity, of suffering, or moving to something very different and much better for all parties concerned.

Now, again, I can’t predict the effect, the impact of any one event on what comes next.  I’ve learned over many years not to do that.  But I think it remains manifestly the case that a ceasefire is in the interests of everyone.  It’s in the interests of Israelis; it’s in the interests of Palestinians.  It’s in the interests of the region.  So as long as everyone is focused on what their core interests actually are, I believe that not only will we keep working to reach a deal; we will reach a deal because it is simply imperative that we do so.

And I have been very focused over the last 24 hours in engaging my own colleagues throughout the region.  We’re obviously here in the Indo-Pacific, but thanks to modern technology we’re on the phones constantly, and we’re all focused on making sure we can get the ceasefire over the finish line and building on it for everyone’s sake for the future.

FOREIGN MINISTER BATTSETSEG:  (Via interpreter) I will be very brief because we have little time left.  Mongolia is committed to ensuring stability, security in Northeast Asia as well as in the world.  We have many initiatives, and the United States has been very supportive of our – of those initiatives.  I would like to emphasize the Ulaanbaatar dialogue that we have initiated, and Secretary Blinken also emphasized that the United States will continue to support those initiative of Mongolia.

And major freedom and human rights issue as well as the strengthening of democracy in Mongolia is very important in our bilateral cooperation, and the United States has been committed to supporting our efforts in this regard.  We don’t have any civil wars and internal domestic – and issues, and Mongolia is committed to further contributing to ensure stability and security in this region as well as in the world.  So the United States will continue supporting our efforts in this regard.

And also we have discussed issues on cooperation within the framework of our development programs, especially our long-term development policy, and the United States will help us to – and assist us to – in all possible ways to become – for Mongolia to become a developed country.

MODERATOR:  (Via interpreter) Thank you very much.  Now the joint press availability has concluded.  Thank you.

The complaint alleges defendants failed to comply with the COPPA requirement to notify and obtain parental consent before collecting and using personal information from children under the age of 13.

“TikTok knowingly and repeatedly violated kids’ privacy, threatening the safety of millions of children across the country,” said FTC Chair Lina M. Khan. “The FTC will continue to use the full scope of its authorities to protect children online—especially as firms deploy increasingly sophisticated digital tools to surveil kids and profit from their data.”

“The Justice Department is committed to upholding parents’ ability to protect their children’s privacy,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton. “This action is necessary to prevent the defendants, who are repeat offenders and operate on a massive scale, from collecting and using young children’s private information without any parental consent or control.”

ByteDance and its related companies allegedly were aware of the need to comply with the COPPA Rule and the 2019 consent order and knew about TikTok’s compliance failures that put children’s data and privacy at risk. Instead of complying, ByteDance and TikTok spent years knowingly allowing millions of children under 13 on their platform designated for users 13 years and older in violation of COPPA, according to the complaint.

As of 2020, TikTok had a policy of maintaining accounts of children that it knew were under 13 unless the child made an explicit admission of age and other rigid conditions were met, according to the complaint. TikTok human reviewers allegedly spent an average of only five to seven seconds reviewing each account to make their determination of whether the account belonged to a child. 

The company allegedly continued to collect personal data from these underage users, including data that enabled TikTok to target advertising to them—without notifying their parents and obtaining their consent as required by the COPPA Rule. Even after it reportedly changed its policy not to require an explicit admission of age, TikTok still continued to unlawfully maintain and use personal information of children, according to the complaint.

TikTok’s practices prompted its own employees to raise concerns. As alleged, after failing to delete numerous underage child accounts, one compliance employee noted, “We can get in trouble … because of COPPA.”

In addition, the complaint alleges that TikTok built back doors into its platform that allowed children to bypass the age gate aimed at screening children under 13. TikTok allegedly allowed children to create accounts without having to provide their age or obtain parental consent to use TikTok by using credentials from third-party services like Google and Instagram. TikTok classified such accounts as “age unknown” accounts, which grew to millions of accounts, according to the complaint.

Even when it directed children to use the TikTok Kids Mode service, a more protected version for kids, the complaint charges that TikTok collected and used their personal information in violation of COPPA. It also alleges that TikTok collected numerous categories of information and far more data than it needed, such as information about children’s activities on the app and multiple types of persistent identifiers, which it used to build profiles on children, while failing to notify parents about the full extent of its data collection and use practices. For example, TikTok shared this personal data with third parties such as Facebook and AppsFlyer to persuade existing Kids Mode users to use the service more after their use had declined or ceased, through a practice TikTok called “retargeting less active users,” according to the complaint.

TikTok also allegedly made it difficult for parents to request that their child’s accounts be deleted. When parents managed to navigate the multiple steps required to submit a deletion request, TikTok often failed to comply with those requests. TikTok also imposed unnecessary and duplicative hurdles for parents seeking to have their children’s data deleted. That practice allegedly continued even after the executive responsible for child safety issues told TikTok’s then-CEO, “we already have all the info that’s needed” to delete a child’s data when a parent requests it, yet TikTok would not delete it unless the parent fills out a second, duplicative form. If the parent did not do that, the executive allegedly added, “then we have actual knowledge of underage user[s] and took no action!”

The complaint also claimed that TikTok began violating the terms of the 2019 FTC order shortly after it went into effect. Two TikTok entities (previously Musical.ly and Musical.ly Inc., which ByteDance acquired in 2017 and renamed) agreed to the terms of the order to settle allegations that they violated the COPPA Rule by unlawfully collecting personal information from children under the age of 13.

Additionally, the complaint alleges that TikTok failed to:

• notify parents about all of the personal data they were collecting from children;
• obtain parental consent for the collection and use of that data;
• limit the collection, use, and disclosure of children’s personal information; and
• delete children’s personal information when requested by parents or when it was no longer needed.

The complaint asks the court to impose civil penalties against ByteDance and TikTok and to enter a permanent injunction against them to prevent future violations of COPPA. The FTC Act allows civil penalties up to $51,744 per violation, per day.

The Commission voted 3-0-2 to refer the complaint to the Department of Justice. Commissioners Melissa Holyoak and Andrew N. Ferguson were recused from participating. The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

NOTE: The Commission files a complaint when it has “reason to believe” that the named defendants are violating or are about to violate the law and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. The case will be decided by the court.

The United States is represented in this action by Assistant Directors Rachael L. Doud and Zachary A. Dietert, and Trial Attorneys Ben Cornfeld and Marcus P. Smith, of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch. Jonathan W. Ware, Iris Micklavzina, Sarah Choi and Michael Sherling represent the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.

Wisconsin’s launch is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s nationwide initiative to provide $8.8 billion in Federal funding for states, territories, and Tribes to lower energy costs and increase efficiency in American homes by making it cheaper to install cost-saving measures such as heat pumps, electrical panels, and insulation. These energy-saving measures will save American households up to $1 billion annually in energy costs and support an estimated 50,000 U.S. jobs in residential construction, manufacturing, and other sectors. These investments also advance the President’s Justice40 Initiative, which sets a goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, and other investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.        

“The Biden-Harris administration is helping families save energy and save money, and we’re not slowing down,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “Wisconsin is leading the pack of states building up their local workforce and keeping money in the pockets of their residents, all thanks to the Investing in America agenda.” 

“Home energy rebates for clean and energy-efficient appliances and upgrades are good for the planet because they help cut pollution. But more importantly, they are good for Wisconsin families because they will save money by lowering energy bills,” said John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy. “Congratulations to Wisconsin for being the second state in the nation to make these game-changing Inflation Reduction Act incentives available to their residents.”

“President Biden and Vice President Harris’s leadership is helping turbocharge efforts across the country to expand access to cost-saving clean energy upgrades and cut the pollution that hurts our environment and public health,” said White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi. “Home energy rebates will help both reduce emissions and lower energy costs for Wisconsin families using tried-and-true insulation, heat pumps, and efficient appliances and lighting. As climate-fueled extreme heat also continues to impact communities, better insulation and heat pumps will keep families safer and more comfortable.   This $149 million infusion will help Governor Evers’ HOMES and HEAR program reach tens of thousands more folks. It strengthens the partnership between the Biden-Harris and Evers administrations to deliver more utility bill savings for more Wisconsin families. This Biden-Harris investment will make a difference at the kitchen-table level from Green Bay to Eau Claire, Madison to Milwaukee – literally all across the state – and that’s why it’s a big deal.”

Many Americans spend a large portion of their monthly income to heat, cool and power their homes — with some of the lowest-income families spending upwards of 30% of their income on energy bills. Overall, by participating in the Home Energy Rebate programs, individual households could save up to $14,000 for energy-efficient home upgrades and hundreds more on monthly energy bills. To advance the objective of these programs, DOE is requiring states and territories to allocate at least half of the rebates to low-income households, defined as those earning 80% or less of their area median income, which is expected to benefit many households in disadvantaged communities. States and territories must also submit Community Benefits Plans to ensure good jobs and other economic opportunities are available. To help keep consumers informed and equipped with resources, DOE recently released a Consumer Bill of Rights framework and is encouraging state, territorial and Tribal rebates programs to adopt it.   and is encouraging state, territorial and Tribal rebates programs to adopt it.   

Wisconsin’s Home Energy Rebate Programs  

Wisconsin is launching the HOMES program – one of two programs making up the Federal Home Energy Rebate programs – by leveraging the program infrastructure already in place for the state's existing Focus on Energy program. 

Residents will first complete a home energy assessment provided by a licensed energy auditor to determine the home’s upgrade needs and establish the estimated energy savings each upgrade would provide. Low-income households are eligible for a rebate to help cover the cost of the home energy assessment. Rebate amounts are based on household income and the amount of estimated energy savings.  

For single-family homes, rebates will range up to:  

• $10,000 for those making less than 80% of their area median income (AMI).
• $4,000 for those making between 80% to 150% AMI.
• $3,000 for those making at or above 150% AMI. 

Multifamily properties are also eligible. Rental units with low-income tenants are eligible for up to $10,000 in rebates, depending on estimated energy reductions.  

The Inflation Reduction Act provided Wisconsin with nearly $150 million for its Home Energy Rebate programs. Wisconsin expects to launch its Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) program later this year. Through the HEAR program, Wisconsinites can receive up to $14,000 off high-efficiency electric appliances and other energy-efficient home upgrades.  

For more information on Wisconsin’s program, visit Focus on Energy’s Home Energy Rebates website. 

More States Get Ready for Rebate Launch  

DOE has now awarded $1.2 billion to states to implement Home Energy Rebate programs. Ten states have received full funding from DOE to launch one or both rebate programs: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Indiana, Maine, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Washington and Wisconsin.  

DOE continues to receive and approve funding applications for states, territories and Tribes to launch their programs. To date, 49 states and territories have applied to DOE for early administrative or full program funding.  

DOE has also received full funding applications for one or both rebate programs from 22 states and territories: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin.  

Each state is in charge of setting up and running its own program. You can check the status of your state’s program at energy.gov/save/rebates. 

Between now and September, Home Energy Rebates are expected to become available in several more states, helping more American families save energy and save money with energy-efficient home upgrades. You can track state and territorial program launches on our website. 

For more information on what you can do to save energy and save money,  visit www.energy.gov/save. 

As we celebrate this historic day, we reflect on the dedication of Bolivians to building a more democratic, just, and inclusive society.  The bond between our nations is strengthened by the vibrant Bolivian-American community, which has enriched the cultural fabric of the United States.  Their contributions serve as a living bridge between our countries, enhancing our understanding and appreciation of each other’s heritage.

Please accept my best wishes for a joyous Independence Day celebration.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today released the 2024 U.S. Energy and Employment Report (USEER), a comprehensive study designed to track and understand employment trends across the energy sector. As the private sector continues to announce major investments in American-made energy spurred by the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda, the 2024 USEER shows that the energy workforce overall added over 250,000 jobs in 2023; 56% of those were in clean energy. 

For the first time ever unionization rates in clean energy, at 12.4%, surpassed the average rate in the energy sector of 11%, driven by rapid growth in unionized construction and utility industries. The sectors experiencing significant growth include zero-emission vehicle and renewable energy, as well as transmission, distribution, and storage – sectors crucial to achieving the Administration’s goal to reach 100% clean electricity by 2035 and delivering cheaper, more resilient energy to every community. 

“Our policies are working. We are now starting to see the job impacts of investments made through the infrastructure and inflation reduction laws - first in construction and as America builds more of these factories, we’ll see hundreds of thousands more,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “The data clearly show that clean energy means jobs – good jobs, union jobs, and jobs retained – in communities across the country as we race to dominate the global clean energy economy.”

This year’s report reflects a record number of survey responses from 42,000 business nationwide.

Key Takeaways

• In 2023, clean energy was the driving factor for growth in the energy sector – jobs in clean energy grew by 4.2%, more than twice as much as the already-robust job growth rate of 2.0% in the overall economy.
• Jobs in clean energy grew in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. In particular, Idaho had the fastest rate of clean energy job growth, increasing at 7.7%, followed by Texas at 6.0%, and New Mexico at 5.9%.
• Both the solar and wind sectors reported strong job growth – jumping 5.3% and 4.5% respectively. Looking forward, DOE projects that the Inflation Reduction Act will double the share of electricity generation from clean sources by 2030, driven by growth in solar and wind. As the energy industry ramps up to meet this growth, construction is booming in many parts of the country. The energy construction sector added nearly 90,000 energy jobs, growing 4.5%, almost double the economy-wide construction employment growth of 2.3%.
• In addition to jobs in energy infrastructure like renewable energy and grid upgrades, jobs resulting from the construction of domestic clean energy manufacturing and supply chain facilities were tracked for the first time this year. In addition to the 90,000 traditional energy construction jobs, the report found an additional 28,000 jobs in 2023 carrying out the work of building new battery and solar module factories, ports for offshore wind, and warehouses to store and transport clean energy products.

“Thanks to the Biden-Harris administration's historic investments, clean energy jobs are booming in every single state. With union density in clean energy at record highs, it’s clear we can create good jobs and advance a cleaner economy at the same time. And as the report shows, union labor makes a difference; employers report that working with unions has made it easier for them to find the skilled workers they need and hire a diverse workforce. We look forward to continuing to partner with Vice President Harris and the Department of Energy to ensure that clean energy jobs are good union jobs,” said AFL-CIO President, Liz Shuler.

Additional Highlights of the 2024 USEER include:

• From 2022 to 2023, employment increased across all five USEER energy technology categories: electric power generation; energy efficiency; fuels; motor vehicles; and transmission, distribution, and storage.
• The energy efficiency sector supported almost 2.3 million jobs in 2023, adding nearly 75,000 positions from the year before – the most of any sector. Energy efficiency includes the installation of several home energy improvements now eligible for tax breaks under the IRA, and the 3.4% growth rate was the strongest showing since 2018.
• Veterans accounted for 9% of the U.S. energy workforce, greater than their representation in the overall U.S. workforce, and the energy workforce is younger than average, with 29% of workers below the age of 30.
• Latino and Hispanic workers held nearly one-third of the new energy jobs created in 2023, growing by 79,000 workers.
• The energy industry sectors experiencing the highest job growth from 2022 to 2023 were utilities and construction.
• The utilities sector saw the fastest employment growth of 5.0% in 2023, adding nearly 30,000 jobs.
• The construction sector added nearly 90,000 energy jobs, growing 4.5%, almost double the economy-wide construction employment growth of 2.3%.
• Clean energy technologies accounted for 79% of net new electric power generation employment, adding 28,086 jobs. Wind and solar employment grew at rates well above average, and solar jobs became more demographically diverse and more heavily unionized.
• Motor vehicle jobs are growing, and the most rapid growth is in zero-emission vehicles. Nationwide, jobs in motor vehicles grew, with clean vehicle employment increasing 11.4%, adding 24,826 jobs. 

State data show:

• Texas (969,801), California (932,273), Michigan (401,720), Florida (351,934), and Ohio (333,110) have the greatest number of energy jobs in the United States.     
• California (545,207), Texas (261,934), New York (177,202), Florida (172,115), and Illinois (130,473) have the greatest number of clean energy jobs.
• Alabama (9.6%), Utah (7.8%), and North Carolina (6.9%) had the fastest rate of energy job growth from 2022 to 2023.

Methodology

The USEER began in 2016 to better track and understand employment within key energy sectors that have been difficult or impossible to follow using other publicly available data sources. The report is based on a customized energy employer survey that augments data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to produce estimates of employment and workforce characteristics.

To learn more about the Department of Energy’s commitment to supporting high-quality energy jobs accessible to the diverse American workforce, visit DOE's Office of Energy Jobs

To read the full 2024 USEER National report, visit U.S. Energy & Employment Jobs Report (USEER)

For more on how President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda has spurred a new industrial revolution in clean energy, bringing manufacturing back to America and creating good-paying clean energy jobs—including union jobs—across the nation, visit: Building America's Clean Energy Future

During the audience, she conveyed, on behalf of President Biden, best wishes for His Holiness’s good health and reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to advancing the human rights of Tibetans and supporting efforts to preserve their distinct historical, linguistic, cultural, and religious heritage. Under Secretary Zeya welcomed His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s lifelong dedication to promoting nonviolence and compassion. The Under Secretary also took the opportunity to discuss with His Holiness Tibetan cultural preservation, the United States’ ongoing efforts to address human rights abuses inside Tibet, and support for resuming dialogue between the PRC and His Holiness and his representatives.

“State and local governments are taking on advanced, proven solutions that will help save energy bills while making their communities more resilient in the face of climate change – and the Biden-Harris Administration is helping them achieve these goals,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm. “DOE is helping jurisdictions move further and faster in implementing stronger codes that will provide Americans safer, healthier, and more comfortable places to live, work, and play. 

Existing commercial and multi-family buildings, under the umbrella of an innovative code like a building performance standard, can cut energy costs and greenhouses gas emissions. The National Building Performance Standard Coalition estimates that approximately 25% of commercial buildings fall under a building performance standard, which will improve buildings for almost 74 million people. In addition, homes built to the latest building energy codes (the model energy codes published by the International Code Council or American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers Standard 90.1) are nearly 40% more efficient than homes built 15 years ago.  

Building upon the groundwork laid by the initial set of selections from DOE’s implementation of the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with respect to building energy codes, the 19 selectees funded by the IRA announced today will receive direct technical assistance to support the adoption and implementation of traditional energy codes, zero energy codes, and building performance standards. These grants advance the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative, which sets the goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments in climate, clean energy, and other areas flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.   

The selected projects include: 

• Cincinnati, Ohio will lead a team that incudes Cleveland, Columbus, and Dayton in receiving $10M to develop and adopt a building performance standard and create the Ohio High Performance Buildings Hub – a “one stop shop” connecting building owners to financing solutions and incentives along with the support, education, and training needed to comply with BPS targets. 
• Kansas City, Missouri will receive $9M to develop and adopt a building performance standard that builds on a long-standing data-driven building analysis program and will include a comprehensive public and stakeholder outreach and engagement plan, along with accompanying training, technical assistance, and implementation resources. 
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania will receive $19.8M to design, develop, adopt, implement, and enforce a building performance standard to maximize emissions reductions from large buildings, while providing robust support programs that will ensure equitable outcomes with high compliance rates. 
• Milwaukee, Wisconsin will receive $9M to develop, adopt, and implement a building performance standard informed by an existing data-driven buildings analysis program and engagement with local community stakeholders. 
• Colorado will receive $20M to create a statewide program that will provide technical assistance and resources to directly respond to the needs identified by disadvantaged communities when complying with Colorado’s building performance standard. 
• Hawaii will receive $18.1M to develop and adopt a building performance standard with an objective of simultaneously reducing costs and making resources, jobs, and training available in disadvantaged communities over the course of its implementation. 
• Massachusetts, in collaboration with the cities of Boston and Cambridge, will receive $19.9M to support implementation of their respective building performance standards through direct technical support and capacity building among existing building trades programs in Justice40 communities and the creation of a Building Performance Exchange hub. 
• New York City, New York will receive $19.9M to support the successful implementation of the City’s building performance standard by increasing compliance support for multifamily buildings across the City, particularly those in disadvantaged communities, and by increasing in-house capacity to monitor, support, and enforce requirements. 

For a full list of projects, please click here. Selection for award negotiations is not a commitment by DOE to issue an award or provide funding. Before funding is issued, DOE and the applicants will undergo a negotiation process, and DOE may cancel negotiations and rescind the selection for any reason during that time.    

Applications for the second round of competitive funding under the IRA will close on September 13, 2024, and DOE encourages all States and localities with the authority to adopt codes to consider applying. Additional information is available on Infrastructure Exchange under the Record Number DE-RD2-0003056. 

This Latest and Zero Building Energy Codes opportunity is a rolling FOA open to states, territories and units of local government that have the authority to adopt building codes. The competitive program is available alongside a Formula Funding opportunity for states and territories to adopt, implement, and enforce the latest and zero building energy codes. This IRA funding opportunity is part of a suite of support, including grants from the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that DOE is providing to jurisdictions and their partners to advance building energy codes. 

“Every pocket of the country has experienced the impact of extreme weather events that are exacerbated by climate change, and disadvantaged communities often feel the brunt of that impact,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “The projects announced today will leverage the world class expertise and scientific research capacities of DOE’s national laboratories to develop the tools communities will need to inform future decisions for building resiliency.   

Each of the CRCs are led by Minority Serving Institutions and Emerging Research Institutions. Most are also collaborations with DOE national labs, other federal agencies, academic institutions, state and municipal agencies, or community organizations.

Projects were selected by a peer-review panel, and selections focused on a diversity of topics, regions, and institutions across the country. These projects also build on prior awards to CRCs made in 2023. 

The CRCs will help form a nucleus for a diverse group of young scientists, engineers, and technicians to further their scientific research and work on scientific teams. The CRCs will also foster capacity at the regional and local level by connecting with affected communities and stakeholders to enable them to translate basic research into actionable science to enhance climate resilience, as well as to identify potential future research opportunities. 

Across the 10 selectees, research projects include ways to predict and protect communities from coastal flooding and extreme storms; analyzing the impacts of drought on Tribal and agricultural communities; and improving water quality. 

Selected Project Descriptions: 

The 10 projects were selected under the DOE Funding Opportunity Announcement for Climate Resilience Centers DE-FOA-0003181. 

1. The Advancing Development and Climate-Resilient Adaptation Practices via Community-Driven Urban Transformation in St. Louis, Missouri, establishes a CRC at Saint Louis University with the goal of building regional resilience toheat islands. Heat islands are urban areas that experience extreme high temperatures due to the built environment. Researchers will connect with local communities to define the impacts of climate risk; increase awareness of climate change effects; and empower communities with data to support resilience projects and green infrastructure development. The goal is improved public health, increased economic stability, and a greener infrastructure.  
2. In the Climate Lighthouse project, City College of New York City will lead the effort partnering with the DOE’s Brookhaven National Laboratory to help residents better cope with extreme heat. The focus will be on translating DOE climate data into useable tools to improve NYC residents’ resilience. Information will be communicated to the public through community partnerships in Manhattan (Harlem) and Brooklyn. The team will work closely with community partners to improve tools so they can serve to build actionable knowledge among the public. 
3. The goal of the CRC in Tribal communities along the Missouri River Basin is to build climate resilience capacity for Native American communities.  The team effort will be led by the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Tribal nations, US Geological Survey, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). The team will develop user-friendly planning tools to translate existing climate projections into site-specific drought and flood risks, mitigation recommendations, associated costs, and uncertainties. Educational workshops organized by the consortium will demonstrate research results.  
4. Communities in the Texas Coastal Bend along the Gulf of Mexico face multiple water-related threats, including floods and droughts. In the Coastal Blend Climate Resilience Project, a  a partnership with University of Texas-Arlington and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, the focus is on improving the predictions of events. The Coastal Bend CRC will use data and modeling from the DOE for adapting and planning for climate extremes. A critical part of the program is building short-and long-term capacity in communities to ensure local and community leaders can leverage climate science to inform resilience-building efforts, particularly among vulnerable groups. 
5. The Midwest Climate Resilience Center in Clark County, Ohio, will address high risk from extreme rain and flooding and the consequential effects on drinking water quality. Central State University will partner with Ohio State University and PNNL to assess the impact of climate stressors on soil system processes in watersheds with varied land uses. The group will develop scale-appropriate targeted climate solutions for local communities and train the next generation of climate scientists from underrepresented student communities.  
6. The Climate Resilience Center for Alaska brings together researchers from the University of Alaska Fairbanks with Los Alamos National Laboratory. As Alaska experiences transformational change due to climate warming, this funding will enhance communication with Alaska communities about existing DOE science, develop meaningful collaborations between communities and the DOE, and incorporate DOE science into educational pathways and opportunities. This project will also conduct pilot research specifically focused on southwest Alaska to demonstrate the Center’s role.  Much of the research will involve graduate students supported by the Center, acting as a conduit to recruit the next generation of climate investigators, with an emphasis on rural, traditionally underserved communities.  
7. Space Coast RESCUE (Resilience Solutions for Climate, Urbanization, and Environment) is an effort by researchers at the Florida Institute of Technology collaborating with the DOE’s Argonne National Laboratory.  The Florida Space Coast, which borders the Atlantic Ocean, faces climate resilience challenges and risks that are multifaceted and representative of the problems faced by many coastal communities throughout the nation. Hazards include heat stress, extreme precipitation, tropical cyclone-induced high winds and surge, flooding, and coastal erosion, as well as inland flooding due to extreme precipitation and stormwater runoff that negatively affects water quality and human health. 
8. Planning for extreme weather is a cornerstone of the Building Predictive Capacity to Enhance Stormwater Infrastructure and Flood Resilience project led by Central Michigan University. The project aims to produce data and tools that will help communities plan for and become more resilient to climate change in collaboration with communities in three pilot watersheds in Michigan: the Chippewa River, Lower Grand River, and Rouge River. The project will use downscaling of climate model projections to develop local precipitation models to simulate future risks of floods and torrential rains.  
9. Powering just and resilient cities is the goal of the Gateway Cities Climate Resilience Center led by the University of Massachusetts Lowell in partnership with PNNL. The objective is to work with the community to use DOE science and tools to provide local projections of extreme temperature events. The project will assess vulnerability of residential heating and cooling power demand and potential mitigation measures in terms of urban tree cover and green spaces. Graduate students will be trained in community-engaged climate and energy-modeling research. 
10. This project, led by Lehigh University in partnership with PNNL, will examine the impact of regional climate action plans on the response to extreme water events like floods and droughts in Eastern Pennsylvania. The team plans to work closely with the three-city coalition of Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton to address multiple climate change impacts. Community workshops will be hosted with Community Action Lehigh Valley.  

Total funding for all of the projects is $10 million for Fiscal Year 2024 dollars for projects lasting three years in duration. A list of all Biological and Environmental Research (BER) projects and funding, including Climate Resilience Centers, can be found at science.osti.gov/ber. 

Selection for award negotiations is not a commitment by DOE to issue an award or provide funding. Before funding is issued, DOE and the applicants will undergo a negotiation process, and DOE may cancel negotiations and rescind the selection for any reason during that time. 

“As the nation wrestles with extreme weather intensified by climate change, the Biden-Harris Administration is ensuring that Americans in every pocket of the country, regardless of income, have access to the clean energy tools that make their homes more resilient and efficient,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “We are infusing new technology and flexibility into the Department’s long-standing Weatherization Assistance Program, investing in more low-income households and creating more clean energy jobs.” 

Since 1976, the Weatherization Assistance Program has served seven million households, which enjoy saving an average of 30% on their energy bills. SERC grants—funded through the historic $3.5 billion the Biden-Harris Administration has invested in the Weatherization Assistance Program – are designed to implement a broader government-wide approach and deploy demonstration projects that maximize the benefits of the clean energy transition. These cost-cutting investments align with and advance President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which sets a goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, and other investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.    

The selected grantees are:  

• Delaware, which received $1,500,000 for its project, “Decarbonization of low-income communities via electrification in Delaware.” 
• Georgia whichreceived $7,500,000 for its project, “Optimized Climate Control in Humid Regions.” 
• Indiana, which received $2,000,000 for its project, “Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority WAP SERC Application.” 
• Kentucky, whichreceived $3,222,300 for its project, “Kentucky SERC Project 2024.”   
• Massachusetts, which received $1,300,000 for its project, “Smartflower Ground-Mounted Community Solar and 1-4 Unit Solar Installations.”  
• Michigan, which received $900,000 for its project, “SERC Application – Michigan Department of Health and Human Services- Bureau of Community Action and Economic Opportunity and Washtenaw Office of Community and Economic Development.”  
• New Jersey, which received $1,000,000 for its project, “Sustainable Energy Resources for Consumers.”  
• New Mexico, which received $2,000,000 for its project, “SERC Measures for Northern New Mexico.” 
• New York, whichreceived $25,136,550 for its project, “New York State- Housing and Community Renewal BIL SERC Subgrantee Applications.” 
• Ohio, whichreceived $4,301,375 for its project, “Solar for Ohio's Appalachian Region (SOAR) and Toledo Green & Healthy Homes Program.” 
• Pennsylvania, whichreceived $500,000 for its project, “Lawrence County Social Services, Inc. Sustainable Energy Resources for Consumers (SERC) Grant Application.”  
• Tennessee, whichreceived $1,500,000 for its project, “Solar Photovoltaic Energy Reduction Initiative.”  
• Utah, whichreceived$1,307,271 for its project, “Increasing Energy Efficiency and Reaching Electrification.”  
• U.S. Virgin Islands, whichreceived $1,500,000 for its project, “Virgin Islands Energy Office SERC BIL.” 

DOE has previously awarded two rounds of SERC funding, totaling $20.8 million, to fifteen Grantees.  

Read more about past SERC grant recipients here. 

All telemarketers calling consumers in the United States are required to download the numbers on the National DNC Registry to ensure they do not call consumers who have registered their phone numbers. The first five area codes are free to download, and organizations that are exempt, such as some charities and political callers, may obtain the entire list for free. Telemarketers must subscribe each year for access to the Registry numbers.

The cost of accessing a single area code in the Registry will be $80 in FY 2025, which is an increase of $2 from FY 2024. The maximum charge to any single entity for accessing all area codes nationwide is now $22,038 (up from 21,402 in FY 2024). The fee for accessing an additional area code for a half year will increase $1 from FY 2024, to $40.

The Commission vote authorizing publication of the Federal Register notice announcing the new fees was 5-0.

“A nation powered by clean energy is a goal being brought into reality by the Biden-Harris Administration as the country achieves a manufacturing boom not seen in decades and expands new industries, like data centers and AI,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “Today we are generating record amounts of carbon-free power – with more projected as the Investing in America agenda comes into full swing.  DOE is uniquely positioned to help industry partners win this moment with clean energy while ensuring a ensure an affordable and reliable power grid for all consumers.”

Recognizing the need for clean energy for increasingly critical AI infrastructure, the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board has released their Powering AI and Data Center Infrastructure report, which provides 16 recommendations for how DOE can help support growing power demand, reliably and affordably. The report considers power dynamics for AI model training, operational flexibility for data center and utility operators, and promising generation and storage technologies to meet load growth.  

DOE is actively engaging on these recommendations and regularly conducts research and analysis on these topics, including deep public and private stakeholder engagement. Resources and announcements on the Electricity Demand Growth Hub include:  

• Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Clean Energy Development at DOE’s Savannah River Site as part of DOE’s Cleanup to Clean Energy initiative. This RFQ seeks proposals for projects capable of generating 200 megawatts (MW) or more of carbon pollution-free electricity, and is open to proposals including collocated loads, such as data centers. 
• Clean Energy Resources to Meet Data Center Electricity Demandprovides additional context about data center load growth during the clean energy transition and lays out the broad portfolio of energy technologies and enabling solutions available today to meet rising demand. This release includes a summary of the 30+ DOE resources and funding opportunities for utilities and data center operators, primarily providing technical assistance for state officials and other stakeholders, to manage demand growth. 
• Pathways to Commercial Liftoff Topic Brief: How Clean Energy is the Solution to Rising Electricity Demandoutlines the opportunity to unlock hundreds of gigawatts of system capacity by accelerating full commercialization for multiple clean energy technologies, advanced grid solutions, and virtual power plants (e.g., aggregated distributed energy resources) to help meet rising electricity demand.   
• How AI Can Help Clean Energy Meet Growing Electricity Demand announces the first set of milestones achieved by DOE’s VoltAIc initiative, which is focused on building AI-powered tools for environmental permitting to help speed up energy deployments. The key milestones include gathering a comprehensive National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) dataset, developing AI testbeds for federal environmental reviewers, and demonstrating the effectiveness of large language models to increase efficiency and transparency with the public comment process.  

Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, DOE is equipped with more tools, funding and assistance programs, policies, and incentives than ever to meet this moment of rising electricity demand with clean, affordable energy. DOE will continue to engage with industry, public officials, and communities to capture the benefits of electricity demand growth while advancing an equitable power system.   

Learn more about what the Department is doing to support load growth and the Department’s role in supporting a national AI capability.

“Expanding the use of new and innovative geothermal technologies will allow the United States to continue pushing forward into the frontier of the clean energy revolution by using the heat beneath our feet,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “These projects help achieve President Biden’s emissions reduction goals, strengthen U.S. competitiveness in this sector, and expand the types of clean and cost-effective energy solutions for American homes, businesses, and industry.”  

Geothermal resources currently generate about four gigawatts of electricity in the United States, but a recent DOE analysis shows that advancing (EGS) could provide at least 90 gigawatts of firm, flexible power to the U.S. grid by 2050—enough to power the equivalent of more than 65 million U.S. homes. Geothermal resources for electricity production requires fluid to flow among hot rocks in the subsurface and then be drawn to the surface in the form of steam or hot water. While underground heat exists everywhere, many locations lack adequate water or conditions that facilitate fluid flow necessary to recover that heat energy. In those cases, EGS can be used to create a humanmade underground reservoir to tap that heat for energy. Using EGS to tap into geothermal resources requires drilling into the subsurface and using wells to draw hot water to the surface. Constructing and operating those wells can be costly. Improving methods to build those wells and assess their performance can reduce costs for EGS and other geothermal power generation technologies, helping make geothermal electricity a clean, cost-effective option.  

As opposed to traditional energy storage batteries, which typically store electrical energy, reservoir thermal energy storage (RTES) technology can store thermal energy directly in underground reservoirs for 100 or more hours without the need for electricity. Several industries, including chemicals, food production, and forest products, consume most of their energy to generate heat used to transform materials into useful products—making RTES an important industrial solution. The RTES demonstration project will illustrate this technology’s capabilities to decarbonize the industry and help drive the nation towards a net-zero-emissions economy by 2050. 

The selected projects are: 

• Clemson University (Clemson, SC, $4,880,182): This project will develop an AI-enabled, photoacoustic imaging tool for high-temperature and high-pressure well logging to assess geothermal well integrity without active cooling.  
• Innovative Downhole Solutions Inc. (Houston, TX, $2,509,545): This project will develop a durable ultrasonic measurement tool capable of operating for 24 hours in high-temperature geothermal environments to assess wellbore construction materials and practices. 
• Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley, CA, $2,016,000 ): This project will develop a tool for geothermal borehole integrity evaluation, designed to assess wellbore integrity in extreme conditions without the need for downhole electronics. 
• Los Alamos National Laboratory (Los Alamos, NM, $3,674,955): This project will develop a high-resolution acoustics-based tool to provide high-fidelity data for evaluating EGS components under extreme conditions.   
• Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Houston, TX, $10,000,000): This project will develop a wireline tractor-conveyed system for long-term integrity modeling of cement and casing.  
• Project Development Solutions, Inc. (Bakersfield, CA, $7,899,807): This project will pilot a reservoir thermal energy storage (RTES) demonstration project at Kern Front Oil Field in Bakersfield, pairing subsurface geothermal reservoirs with a steam system and process heat off-taker. 

These projects are funded by DOE’s Geothermal Technologies Office in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. 

Learn more about DOE’s EGS research and DOE’s low-temperature geothermal research, including RTES.  

Selection for award negotiations is not a commitment by DOE to issue an award or provide funding. Before funding is issued, DOE and the applicants will undergo a negotiation process, and DOE may cancel negotiations and rescind the selection for any reason during that time.

• One of DOE’s most important jobs, as we see it, is to convene energy producers, customers, and investors to do big things together.  
• In recent years, we’ve seen unprecedented growth in demand for energy as our economy grows, the manufacturing sector booms, and new industries like AI expand. 
• We believe this increased demand presents a huge opportunity to add clean, firm power to the grid.  
• This has been a huge priority for the Biden-Harris administration from day one.  
• Our efforts are already paying off: We are generating record amounts of carbon-free power, with even more projected to come online.  
• This is where geothermal energy comes in.  
• Harnessing and commercializing “the heat beneath our feet” is going to be a game-changeras we work to grow our clean power supply. 
• So whether you are deep in the weeds of geothermal or you’re merely “geothermal curious,” we are so glad to have you at the table today.  

Let’s talk about why geothermal energy is so exciting.  

• Those of you who have already invested know that geothermal has one crucial advantage: it uses the same technology, infrastructure, and experts that traditional oil and gas drilling have used for years.  
• Next-generation geothermal is even more exciting, because it reduces some of the costs and risks of conventional geothermal exploration.   
• Next-gen technologies create their own geothermal reservoirs using the heat naturally found in the subsurface. 
• Instead of hunting for a needle in a haystack…next-gen geothermal draws power from the entire haystack! 

Today, we’re at an inflection point—one you’ll recognize if you’ve worked on commercializing other clean technologies.   

• We have made enormous strides in the R&D, thanks to many of my teammates at the National Labs.  
• Just look at Forge, whose success is a testament to the R&D progress we’ve made on geothermal.  
•  The next step is to commercialize and scale.  

Over the past few months, the private sector has started to ink deals in this space.   

• We’ve seen a 320-MW power purchase agreement between Fervo and SoCal Edison; 
• A 115-MW deal between Fervo, Google, and Nevada Energy; 
• And today, I am delighted to announce that Sage Geosystems, and Meta are announcing a partnership to deliver up to 150MW of new geothermal baseload power.  
• The agreement uses Sage’s proprietary technology to provide clean power to Meta’s data centers.  
• And this is the first use of next-gen geothermal power east of the Rockies—we’re expanding the frontiers of geothermal to the eastern half of the country.  
• So who’s going to be next?  

Because we need to move faster—and we need more of you to take the plunge.  

• We need early capital, about $5 billion in total, to unlock new developments.  
• We need investors to be willing to fund exploration and new geothermal technologies.   
• And we need more offtakers to see what many in this room have already recognized: geothermal is a clean, affordable solution to rising electricity demand.  
• DOE’s Geothermal Liftoff Report estimates that we need five to ten new projects across a range of geologies, requiring $20 to $25 billion total by 2030 to create a self-sustaining industry that can scale to the hundreds of billions. 

As you embark on these projects, the Biden-Harris administration is all in on helping meet the demand for clean, firm power.   

• Just today, we announced $31 million for new geothermal projects, including five that will help reduce project costs and improve longevity of geothermal wells.  
• That’s on top of the $74 million for enhanced geothermal systems demonstrations in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  
• We have a 30% tax credit for geothermal projects under the IRA… 
• And the government is helping to clear the way on permits, too—making it easier to convert federal oil and gas leases to geothermal leases. 

Over the years, time and again, visionaries and first movers have looked at a new technology and seen an opportunity to solve a big challenge.  

• Today, that challenge is the skyrocketing demand for electricity to power data centers and other energy-intensive technological projects.  
• One of the many new technologies that’s going to help us tackle that challenge is geothermal energy.   
• And what’s amazing is that this is an energy source that can have that transformative effect—but also call on existing resources, existing technologies, and existing workers.  
• That’s why I’m so bullish on geothermal—and I know you will be, too.  
• So let’s get to work—together. 
• Thanks again for having me. And now, over to Susan to kick off our conversation. 

This new EV infrastructure will increase access and reliability to communities across the country and provides EV charging to light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles along designated highways, interstates, and major roadways. The funds are a part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s goals to support the growth of a convenient, affordable, reliable and Made-in-America national network of EV chargers so drivers can charge close to home, at work, and along significant corridors throughout the U.S.

Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, the number of publicly available EV chargers has doubled. Now, there are over 192,000 publicly available charging ports with approximately 1,000 new public chargers being added each week. This progress is a testament to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the catalyzing effect it has had on private investments for EV charging infrastructure. Through programs like the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program and the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, the Biden-Harris Administration is playing a critical role alongside private industry, to actively expand America’s EV charging network while creating good-paying, union jobs. 

Charging infrastructure is being built in rural, suburban, urban, and Tribal communities alike, supplementing private investment and filling critical gaps where charging is needed most. Additionally, this buildout aligns with the National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy investing in EV charging for trucks along one of the nation's largest freight corridors in America. These investments promote EV adoption, emission reductions, economic development and healthy communities.

“President Biden and Vice President Harris believe in building infrastructure from the bottom up and the middle out. This investment puts public dollars in the hands of states, tribes and communities to build a more accessible national charging network,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm. "It will deliver good paying local jobs while giving Americans more transportation options no matter their geography or income and allow those looking for a new vehicle to more confidently take advantage of tax credits to purchase new and used EVs.” 

“The Biden-Harris Administration has been clear about America leading the EV revolution, and thanks to the historic infrastructure package, we’re building a nationwide EV charger network to make sure all drivers have an accessible, reliable, and convenient way to charge their vehicles,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. “The awards that we’re announcing today will build on this important work and will help ensure that the cost savings, health and climate benefits, and jobs of the EV future are secured for Americans across the country.”

"As we build out the EV charging network on our highways, we are also investing in local communities, rural, urban and tribal alike. Today’s grants are a critical part of ensuring every American can find a charger as easily as a gas station, which will decrease pollution from our roadways, lower costs for families, and help people get to where they need to go efficiently,” said U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation Polly Trottenberg.

“Building new charging infrastructure is already creating good-paying union jobs and modernizing transportation in a way that cleans up the air our kids breathe,” said White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi. “Under President Biden and Vice President Harris’s leadership, we are accelerating private investment to do just that and, at the same time, increasing our capacity to manufacture these technologies in the United States.  Today’s announcement helps us move faster to win the future — good jobs, clean air, and a robust manufacturing economy that supports a growing middle class.”

The grants announced today are made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s $2.5-billion Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program and a 10 percent set-aside from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program. Together, these programs have spurred private investments in growing the nation’s EV charging network and are actively deploying chargers across the country and ensuring more drivers can charge their EVs where they live, work, and shop, while also supporting longer trips. These historic investments are going to accelerate the country’s transition to a clean energy economy while reducing pollution and harmful greenhouse gas emissions. 

$321 million of today’s investment will be allocated for 41 “community” projects that expand EV charging infrastructure within communities across the country, while $200 million will go towards 10 “corridor” fast-charging projects that build out the national charging and alternative-fueling network along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors. 

The awards also support the President’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims for 40% of the overall benefits of federal investments to flow to disadvantaged communities, with over half of the funding going to sites located in disadvantaged communities. Investing in these communities creates jobs, reduces transportation costs, and helps mitigate healthcare costs caused by air pollution, while also ensuring all equitable access to EV charging infrastructure.

“As we reach this important milestone in building out the national EV charging network, FHWA remains steadfast in our continued work supporting the deployment of hundreds of thousands of EV chargers over the next several years,” said Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt. “The EV charging and alternative fueling projects receiving awards today will deliver clean transportation in communities nationwide and put America on a path to lead the world in zero-emission transportation technology while creating good-paying jobs and reducing our carbon footprint.” 

 “Most EV charging will happen at homes, workplaces, or other destinations while vehicles are already parked, providing a safe, reliable, and vastly more convenient way for anyone to fuel,” said Gabe Klein, Executive Director of the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation. “Today’s investments in public community charging fill crucial gaps and provide the foundation for a zero-emission future where everyone can choose to ride or drive electric for greater individual convenience and reduced fueling costs, as well as cleaner air and lower healthcare costs for all Americans.”

In response to the NOFO, FHWA received requests for consideration from 277 applicants requesting a combined $2.1 billion in funding, nearly double the amount of funding available. This round of funding expands the total number of states with an awarded CFI project to 38, in addition to the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, with 14 states and the District of Columbia receiving their first CFI award.

Community project selections in this round of grants include: 

The City of Milwaukee will receive nearly $15 million to install EV chargers at 53 sites citywide. During the site selection process, the city prioritized sites in areas that lack existing EV infrastructure, low-to-moderate income communities, and neighborhoods with high ratios of multifamily housing units. This project will support the city’s climate and equity goals by expanding the network in areas that currently lack public infrastructure, or lack the ability to charge at home, making residents more comfortable with switching to an EV, and increasing rates of EV adoption. 

The Standing Rock Renewable Energy Power Authority, on behalf of the Sioux Reservation in North Dakota, will receive nearly $3.9 million to install publicly accessible community EV charging stations in eight locations. The sites were selected because they are spread throughout the Reservation’s eight districts, and because they serve as gathering spots where Tribal members can access services. 

Corridor project selections in this round of grants include:

The Fort Independence Indian Community will receive over $15 million to install a reliable, resilient, and sustainable EV charging hub along U.S. Route 395 corridor, a designated Alternative Fuel Corridor, and the only north-south passage along the Eastern Sierra Nevada range. This project will contribute to emissions reductions by encouraging the use of EVs and powering the charging hub through a solar micro-grid with combined heat and power generation and battery backup. 

The City of Atlanta will receive nearly $11.8 million to install a DC Fast Charging Hub at the Atlanta Airport with 50 DC fast chargers. The DC Fast Charger Hub would provide critical charging for rental car companies, ride-share drivers, airport shuttles for hotels, employees, the City's growing electric fleet of light- to heavy-duty vehicles, as well as regional and local EV drivers coming to the airport or driving along the nearby major highway systems. The project aims to improve asthma-related issues in predominantly Black and underserved neighborhoods and would engage underserved communities to ensure widespread adoption of EVs. 

A full list of grant recipients can be found here.

On May 30, 2024, FHWA published a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for applications for the second round of funding through the CFI Program. The NOFO announced FHWA’s intent to make additional awards for applications submitted under the Fiscal Year 2022 and 2023 CFI Round 1 NOFO issued on March 14, 2023, that were not previously selected. The CFI Round 2 application period will close on September 11, 2024. 

In response to the NOFO, FHWA received requests for consideration from 277 applicants requesting a combined $2.1 billion in funding, nearly double the amount of funding available. This round of funding expands the total number of states with an awarded CFI project to 38, in addition to the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, with 14 states and the District of Columbia receiving their first CFI award.  

FHWA is working closely with the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, providing technical assistance on planning and implementation of a national network of EV chargers and zero-emission fueling infrastructure. Information on technical assistance from the Joint Office is available at  

For more information on President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and investments in electric vehicles, visit FHWA’s BIL website.

The FTC first took action against Lanier Law in 2014 as part of a joint law enforcement sweep by federal and state authorities. In 2016, as a result of the lawsuit, the defendants were banned from the debt relief business and one of the scheme’s owners, Michael W. Lanier, was disbarred.

The FTC is sending checks to 322 consumers. Recipients should cash their checks within 90 days, as indicated on the check. Consumers who have questions about their payment should contact the refund administrator, Analytics, at 866-590-8211, or visit the FTC website to view frequently asked questions about the refund process. The Commission never requires people to pay money or provide account information to get a refund.

The Commission’s interactive dashboards for refund data provide a state-by-state breakdown of refunds in FTC cases. In 2023, FTC actions led to $324 million in refunds to consumers across the country.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke yesterday with Qatari Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. They discussed ongoing efforts to negotiate a ceasefire agreement that would alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people and secure the release of the hostages to return to their families. The Secretary underscored that the bridging proposal presented by negotiators addresses the remaining gaps in a manner that allows for swift implementation of the deal. They affirmed that no party in the region should take actions to undermine efforts to reach a deal and welcomed the next round of talks in Cairo. The Secretary expressed gratitude to the Amir for Qatar’s vital role in mediating negotiations and promoting regional peace.

The Secretary and the Amir also discussed continued efforts to end the war in Sudan. The Secretary and the Amir noted the importance of allowing unhindered humanitarian access to Sudanese civilians.

In a federal court complaint, the FTC alleges that Care’s marketing messages about both the number of jobs available on their site and the amount workers could expect to be paid were deceptive.

Care has agreed to a settlement that will require it to turn over $8.5 million to be used to refund consumers harmed by their practices, as well as requiring the company to be able to back up the earnings claims it makes and be honest about the number of jobs available on their site.

“Care.com used inflated job numbers and baseless earnings claims to lure caregivers onto its platform, and used deceptive design practices to trap consumers in subscriptions,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection “The order announced today puts a stop to these unlawful practices, returns millions of dollars to consumers, and helps ensure an honest marketplace for families looking for care and caregivers looking for work.”

Care provides an online platform where people looking to hire workers for jobs like child and older adult care, care for people with special needs, and pet sitting can post jobs and where people looking for such work can contact potential employers. In order to contact job posters or job seekers, users are required to purchase an auto-renewing paid subscription.

Misleading Messages

According to the complaint, Care’s deceptive advertising entices consumers to buy subscriptions in order to apply for jobs. The deception has taken on two forms – vastly overstating the number of jobs available on the platform and making unsubstantiated claims about how much consumers could expect to earn through these jobs.

Care’s advertising frequently has included the number of jobs available on its platform—a number that is deceptively inflated by including jobs for which there is little to no chance a job seeker could be hired. Since at least 2019, Care has advertised millions of these jobs in an effort to entice care providers to pay for subscriptions to its platform, according to the complaint.

Care’s platform allows those looking for workers to join the site for free. When they answer a questionnaire, Care creates a job listing on its platform, but the only way for a job poster to see a worker’s job application is if both people have paid memberships; if the poster hasn’t purchased a paid membership, then there is no way they can hire someone who applies for their job. The lawsuit points to numerous complaints from consumers who expressed frustration at the number of jobs they applied for without hearing anything back.

In addition to the inflated job claims, the complaint also charges that Care deceived users about how much money consumers can earn when they get a job on the platform. In advertisements and landing pages, Care has touted hourly as well as weekly earnings totals that are designed to entice consumers into paying for subscriptions despite having little to no data to back up such earnings claims, according to the complaint.

The complaint cites one 2021 Care ad campaign on a third-party site saying “Childcare jobs from $18/hr,” while at the same time saying on its own website that, “On average, the national pay rate for babysitting jobs” and “The average rate for babysitters on Care.com” was between $13 and $14.25 per hour.

According to the complaint, Care has not actually tracked earnings for jobs found on its platform and has little to no credible information to back up its earning claims in its advertising and marketing. Care’s claims about earnings for specific types of work are based on an average of those specific types of jobs listed on its site, and Care does not track or know the actual pay rates negotiated between job seekers and job posters after they make contact off the site.

According to the complaint, Care continued these deceptive earnings claims even after receiving a Notice of Penalty Offenses related to earnings claims from the FTC in 2021.

Cancellation Interference

The complaint also alleges that Care has used a number of unlawful tactics, sometimes referred to as dark patterns, to prevent consumers – both job posters and job seekers – from being able to cancel their subscriptions.

When consumers try to cancel Care subscriptions, they must click through a number of unrelated links to find information about how to cancel. According to the lawsuit, consumers regularly complained about difficulties in finding the cancellation options, with many resorting to searching online for instructions on how to cancel.

Once consumers find their way to the cancellation “flow” for their paid subscription, they face multiple steps designed to impede them from successfully cancelling. In some cases, consumers run into multi-page questionnaires, confusing language, warnings about the effects of cancellation, and offers to buy other paid memberships before finally being able to successfully cancel. Care makes it much more difficult to cancel a paid subscription than a free subscription, which is a relatively simple two-step process, according to the complaint.

Settlement Requirements

Under the terms of the proposed settlement, Care will be required to:

• Turn over $8.5 million to the FTC to be used to provide refunds to consumers harmed by Care’s unlawful practices.
• Only make earnings claims that are true and that Care has evidence to back up.
• Only make claims about the number of jobs available on the site that are posted by users who can actually hire a potential worker.
• Be upfront with consumers about how communication on the site works before taking consumers’ money.
• Provide users with a simple cancellation method for any negative option subscriptions available on the site.

The Commission vote authorizing the staff to file the complaint and stipulated order was 5-0. The FTC filed the complaint and stipulated order in the U.S. District Courtfor the Western District of Texas.Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter issued a statement.

NOTE: The Commission files a complaint when it has “reason to believe” that the named defendants are violating or are about to violate the law and that a proceeding is in the public interest. Stipulated final orders have the force of law when approved and signed by the District Court judge.

The staff attorneys on this matter are Edward Hynes and Erica Hilliard of the FTC’s Southwest Region.

FTC Chair Lina M. Khan, DOJ Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin Mizer, Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter, and Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton, along with other agencies on the Strike Force convened to highlight the following Strike Force enforcement actions:

• FTC Chair Lina M. Khan highlighted the FTC’s recent work to stop corporate lawbreaking that raises prices for Americans, including uncovering evidence of corporate conduct that may raise the price of gas, working to lower the cost of many asthma inhalers to just $35 out-of-pocket, and making it easier for Americans to cancel online subscriptions they don’t want. Chair Khan announced that she will ask the Commission to launch an inquiry into grocery prices in order to probe the tactics that big grocery chains use to hike prices and extract profits from everyday Americans at the checkout counter.
• DOJ Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin Mizer described DOJ’s efforts to tackle unlawful behavior that affects the prices Americans pay for their groceries, transportation, and health care. Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter highlighted the historic and concrete actions Antitrust Division staff are undertaking to enforce the law and lower prices in higher education, housing, transportation, food, agriculture, live music, healthcare and other vital industries. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton highlighted the Civil Division’s work to combat fraudulent pricing schemes involving government agencies and financial institutions, as well as schemes designed to defraud consumers through unfair and deceptive marketing or billing practices.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Torres Small highlighted the all-of-USDA approach to tackling food and agricultural pricing challenges for farmers and consumers alike, including an ongoing investigative study on retail concentration and market practices as well as landmark efforts to modernize the Packers & Stockyards Act rulebook and build a competition partnership with state attorneys general.
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Deputy Secretary Andrea Palm spoke on HHS’s work to make health care affordable, transparent, and fair for everyone. Increasing competition and transparency, lowering prescription drug prices, and expanding access to health care are key ways to make sure our health care system is working for all Americans.
• Acting U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) General Counsel Subash Iyer spoke about DOT’s work to protect airline passengers from unfair practices that can make it more expensive to fly, including by proposing a ban on family seating junk fees and investigating Delta’s refund, reimbursement, and customer service problems during the recent IT meltdown.
• U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler spoke about the SEC’s work to address unfair, deceptive, and anticompetitive business practices. The SEC is the cop on the beat for the securities markets. The agency’s rulemaking projects promote transparency, access, and fair dealing in the markets. And through market oversight, including examining registrants and reviewing tens of thousands of filings each year, the SEC guards against fraud and deceptive practices and promotes competition.
• U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel spoke about the FCC’s work to tackle unfair and deceptive pricing tactics in the communications sector, including by implementing new rules that will slash the exorbitant rates that incarcerated people and their families pay to stay connected.
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Rohit Chopra spoke about the CFPB’s work on junk fees, highlighting a report on school lunch fees, and a recently launched inquiry into junk fees in mortgage closing costs. The CFPB continues its work on all aspects of the credit card market, including looking into bait-and-switch rewards tactics, curbing excessive fees, and ensuring competition, all against the backdrop of interest rate margins hitting an all-time high. Additionally, the agency announced further scrutiny on the role of private equity investors in price gouging.

In March 2024, at the sixth meeting of the White House Competition Council, President Biden announced the launch of the Strike Force to strengthen interagency efforts to root out and stop illegal corporate behavior that hikes prices on American families through anti-competitive, unfair, deceptive, or fraudulent business practices. 

The FTC’s 2012 order settled antitrust charges alleging that Coopharma harmed competition by negotiating, entering into, and implementing agreements among its member pharmacies to fix prices with insurers and PBMs. The FTC’s 2012 consent order, among several terms, prohibited Coopharma from entering into or facilitating agreements with pharmacies and prohibited Coopharma from facilitating information exchanges between pharmacies regarding contract terms with insurance payors.

In the petition, Coopharma has asked that the FTC either modify or rescind the order given changes in Puerto Rico’s law that have allowed for state oversight of health care provider cooperative negotiations with payors. Additionally, the petition states that given the increased dominance of PBMs and their ability to impose unfair contractual terms that harm independent pharmacies’ ability to compete, the 2012 order is unnecessary.

Coopharma, in its petition, states that the 2012 consent order has limited the ability of many independent pharmacies across Puerto Rico to obtain favorable contracting terms, leading to many pharmacies being forced out of business. The current order prevents Coopharma from negotiating lower costs for consumers with PBMs and prevents Coopharma from being able provide improved quality pharmacy services for residents of Puerto Rico, which can only be gained through equitable reimbursement and fair treatment under contracts with PBMs, the petition states. As the FTC recently recognized in its interim staff report on PBMs, PBMs often employ an arsenal of unfair tactics toward independent pharmacies, Coopharma said in its petition.

Coopharma’s petition further claims that the FTC’s decision to rescind prior guidance on PBMs, as well as state and federal investigation into PBM practices, also make the 2012 order unnecessary.

The FTC will publish Coopharma’s application in the Federal Register shortly. Instructions for filing comments appear in the published notice. Comments must be received 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. Once processed, they will be posted on Regulations.gov. After the comment period closes, the Commission will vote on whether to approve the application.

“Increased opportunities for low-cost financing will help states and territories expand access to the money- saving clean energy tools that will benefit the residential, commercial and public sectors,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “We are excited to see states and territories take advantage of targeted and impactful financing options to transform their communities.”  

Energy efficiency financing is a proven approach to accelerate the adoption of clean energy, according to a study produced by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the State and Local Energy Efficiency Action Network, and DOE. Based on performance data from past successful energy financing programs, each dollar that the federal government invests in a state or local revolving loan fund can attract upwards of $20 in private capital. This means that each federal dollar used to establish a revolving loan fund at the state or local level has the potential to jump-start local economies while helping combat climate change.  

This is the third round of awards from the Revolving Loan Fund Capitalization Grant Program. DOE expects to announce additional awards later this year. In total, the RLF Program will provide $242 million to awardees to capitalize energy efficiency revolving loan funds, with 40% of the funds allocated to all states, territories, and the District of Columbia, and 60% of the funds reserved for priority states as defined in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Find more information about RLF award recipients is available on the RLF awards webpage. 

Successful programs will leverage private capital across commercial and residential sectors, accelerate and maximize energy savings, and create good-paying jobs. These investments also advance the President’s Justice40 Initiative, which sets a goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, and other investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.  

Grantees include: 

• Arizona will use the funds to provide grants and loans to fund energy efficiency projects, including audits and retrofits in the commercial sector, with a commitment to maximizing benefits to low-income and disadvantaged communities (Award amount: $1,690,280). 
• Georgia will establish a new revolving loan fund for the residential sector, with a primary focus on providing benefits to low-income residents (Award amount: $2,453,810).  
• Iowa will create a new revolving loan fund for commercial and residential entities. The program will target multi-family housing throughout Iowa and assist in upgrading from inefficient baseboard heating to more energy-efficient ductless mini-split systems (Award amount: $7,068,920). 
• Puerto Rico will use the funds to implement a loan loss reserve fund to stimulate lending for energy efficiency, solar, and battery storage for the residential sector. The reserve fund will expand access to green financing opportunities for low and moderate-income communities and ensure that cost savings and reliability benefits are realized by a broader segment of the Puerto Rican population (Award amount: $1,070,490).  
• Texas will establish a new revolving loan fund that operationally matches their existing Texas LoanSTAR revolving loan program. Texas will also provide a grant opportunity to provide free ASHRAE Level II energy audit services to Community Centers (Award amount: $22,365,890). 
• U.S. Virgin Islands will implement a loan loss reserve fund and interest rate buydowns to enable lenders to offer lower interest rate loans for residential and commercial renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in the territory. They will also create a grant program to support residential and commercial energy audits to help address key energy challenges in the territory such as high energy costs and vulnerability to natural disasters by identifying energy efficiency opportunities and implementing measures to reduce energy consumption and costs (Award amount: $576,170). 

Other awards include: 

• Colorado ($1,631,220) 
• Delaware ($746,400) 
• Kansas ($6,706,230) 
• Maine ($863,110) 
• Massachusetts ($1,894,760) 
• Minnesota ($1,884,300).   
• Nevada ($1,043,290) 
• New Jersey ($2,383,510) 
• New Mexico ($5,692,530) 
• Oklahoma ($7,592,300) 
• Rhode Island ($762,790) 

The RLF Program offers technical assistance to support recipients in navigating federal requirements, optimally leveraging private capital, and achieving state priorities. RLF technical assistance offerings include the RLF Resource Library which is continually updated to provide foundational information to learn about, design, and manage an RLF program, as well as case studies and sample documentation with real-world examples and tools.  

To learn more about the Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund Capitalization Grant Program, visit: Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund Capitalization Grant Program | Department of Energy.   

Penny’s accomplishments are numerous. She championed the cause for approximately $9 billion in economic assistance to Ukraine in the most recent supplemental; helped launch the G7+ Multi-agency Donor Coordination Platform Business Advisory Council to provide essential private sector insights, expertise, and visibility in support of Ukraine’s recovery; supported Ukraine’s effort to pass key economic reforms to catalyze private sector investment; started a Defense Industrial Base “Deal Team” that accelerates licensing, co-production, and joint ventures between U.S. and Ukrainian defense companies; and worked closely with private sector companies to bring essential war-risk insurance to market. As a result, Ukraine is better prepared for its future integrated with Euro-Atlantic institutions and plugged into European and global markets.

While Penny’s position is limited to one year by statute, the work she began will continue. Deputy Secretary of State for Management & Resources Richard Verma will carry forward her work in service of the United States’ efforts to support Ukraine’s economic recovery.   The Biden administration is committed to helping Ukraine stand strongly on its own feet – militarily, economically, and democratically.

The United States and Sweden discussed joint priorities in the region to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific, including upholding international law and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, enhancing maritime and security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, and strengthening relations with Pacific and Indian Ocean island nations.  They underscored the importance of further developing the critical ties between NATO Allies and NATO’s Indo-Pacific partners in addressing pressing security challenges.  Deputy Secretary Campbell and State Secretary Knutsson noted with concern the PRC’s continued support to the Russian defense industrial base, as well as worrying trends in the DPRK including growing military cooperation with Russia and the concerning human rights situation.  They also committed to enhancing economic opportunities and resilience in the Indo-Pacific region.

Deputy Secretary Campbell and State Secretary Knutsson also took the opportunity to discuss Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine, developments in the Middle East, and shared U.S.-Swedish policy interests and security concerns in the Arctic. 

For further information, please follow @DeputySecState on X.

Biologic drugs—which are composed of very large, complex molecules—treat serious medical conditions and are often one of the most expensive types of prescription medications. A biosimilar drug is like a generic drug in that it treats the same conditions as a reference biologic or brand-name drug with no clinically meaningful differences, including in safety and effectiveness.

Under the FDA draft guidance, the FDA is removing its prior recommendation that a biosimilar drug applicant must submit clinical switching studies to demonstrate that a biosimilar is interchangeable with the biologic reference drug. Instead, a biosimilar drug applicant may submit a statement to the FDA explaining why the existing data in a biologic license application would support the FDA’s designation of the drug as interchangeable. Once the FDA designates a biosimilar product as “interchangeable,” pharmacists can substitute that product for a biologic without prescriber intervention.

In its comment, the FTC supports FDA’s draft guidance, believing it will provide flexibility that may expedite the approval process and reduce the burden and cost of showing that switching a patient from a biologic to a biosimilar is safe and effective. The draft FDA guidance will also help combat marketplace confusion about the safety and efficacy of biosimilars, the FTC’s comment states. If implemented, the guidance would likely reduce barriers to entry and facilitate competition among biologic products by increasing the number of biosimilars designated as interchangeable.

According to the FTC, the draft FDA guidance is a step in the right direction to fully realizing the goals of the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009 (BPCIA) to increase competition and innovation among biologics, which could lead to lower prices and increased choice for patients who depend on these life-saving medicines.

To ensure Americans receive increased access to interchangeable biosimilars, agencies must continue to monitor anticompetitive practices that, if left unchecked, could prevent patients from accessing biosimilars, the comment states. Contract terms that discourage generic drug insurance reimbursement, as revealed in the Commission’s Interim Staff Report on Pharmacy Benefit Managers, undermine goals of the BPCIA to increase competition and innovation among biologics, the comment states.

The Commission voted 5-0 to submit the comment to the FDA.

On February 2, 2024, the FTC issued a notice of proposed rulemaking noting several proposed amendments to improve the Energy Labeling Rule, including new energy labels for air cleaners and other consumer product categories. In addition to submitting written comments, the NPRM invited interested parties to request an opportunity to present oral data, views, and comments on the proposed amendments.

In response, 28 of the 29 commenters submitted written comments. Dyson was the only commenter to request an opportunity to present oral comments. Its comments will address concerns it has about Department of Energy test procedures for the proposed air cleaner labels.

The Commission vote approving publication of the notice was 5-0. It is now available in the Federal Register.

The lead staffer on this matter is Hong Park in the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.

The plaintiffs in the case – Shanahan, et al. v. IXL Learning, Inc. – are parents of school age children who allege IXL Learning illegally collected, used and sold their children’s data on their website and software in school. The parents’ putative class action lawsuit alleges that the education company violated various laws, including the Federal Wiretap Act and multiple California statutes, as well as common law privacy torts.

IXL Learning, which provides websites and school educational services, filed a motion to compel arbitration, claiming that the school districts agreed to the company’s full terms of service, including an arbitration provision. IXL Learning argued that under COPPA, school districts act as agents for the parents in the use of IXL’s educational services, and the parents are therefore bound by the full terms of service.

The FTC amicus brief clarifies that nothing in COPPA or the COPPA Rule dictates that parents and children should be bound by every part of the terms of service agreement between a company like IXL Learning and a school district, nor does COPPA support a claim that parents should be bound to arbitration in this case.

In December 2023, the Commission proposed amendments to strengthen the COPPA Rule by further limiting companies’ ability to monetize children’s data. The proposed Rule would require targeted advertising to be off by default, bar indefinite retention of kids’ data, and strengthen data security. The Commission’s review of this Rule is ongoing.

The agency filed its amicus brief in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, San Francisco Division. 

The Commission voted 5-0 to file the amicus brief. Commissioner Andrew Ferguson issued a concurring statement.