Research, Technology, and Economic Security

For DOE’s portfolio, RTES risks come in many forms. In addition to risks associated with foreign ownership, control, and influence, there are also risks related to project personnel with concerning foreign connections and affiliations (e.g., Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs); technology risks (e.g., does the project involve critical and emerging technologies of concern); risk of intellectual property theft; physical threats (e.g., access to sensitive grid information that expose vulnerabilities that could be exploited by bad actors); procurement of equipment that may have embedded surveillance technology; undisclosed project collaborations with foreign entities or individuals; and supply chain risks. 

Accordingly, it is critical that DOE has appropriate tools to address these different forms of RTES risks. As it does so, DOE will strive for consistency with interagency policies, procedures, and practices to the extent practicable. 

1. Onshore, Reshore, and Reassert U.S. Leadership in Manufacturing and Deployment of Critical and Emerging Energy Technologies. The United States must strengthen its competitive edge by making critical domestic investments, especially in sectors that are vital to U.S. national security and economic interests; and protecting and building the resiliency of those investments. Bringing manufacturing back to the U.S. will necessarily involve interaction with foreign entities, but doing so smartly and with eyes-wide-open will ultimately benefit the U.S. economy by developing domestic expertise and building resilient supply chains.

2. Bolster Supply Chain Security. Diverse and resilient energy supply chains are imperative for U.S. national security. DOE will support projects that have the potential to build secure supply chains in partnership with our allies and to reduce our reliance on countries of concern. Until we have guaranteed access to secure supply chains, we must remain vigilant that the supply chains we depend on are not exploited by countries of concern. 

3. Make Risk-Based Investment Decisions. In making historic investments in clean energy, the Department must make risk-based decisions that minimize potential intellectual property loss, supply chain dependencies, and threats to national security. DOE will balance the need to address RTES with the imperative to bolster our overall competitiveness and to maintain core scientific principles of openness and collaboration.

4. Protect the Taxpayer. The Department’s fundamental responsibility is to be an effective steward and protector of taxpayers’ money.  It will accordingly not fund any State-Owned Enterprise of a country of concern.  If the Department partners with an entity with ties to a country of concern, it will do so in a responsible manner, and only if, after careful deliberation, it is determined there is a significant net-benefit to the U.S. and the risks can be sufficiently mitigated.  

5. Ensure Transparency. Entities applying for DOE support must be fully forthcoming regarding foreign connections associated with individuals and entities participating in a project, particularly connections involving countries of concern. Transparency includes sharing sources of intellectual property rights, equipment, materials, property, and other support throughout the project. Likewise, DOE’s policies will incorporate transparency.