View source for Alternative Technologies Working Group

{{Program
|ProgramName=Alternative Technologies Working Group
|ProgramType=Program
|OrgSponsor=Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
|TopOrganization=Department of Energy
|CreationLegislation=Energy Policy Act of 2005
|Purpose=The Alternative Technologies Working Group coordinates efforts to advance alternative energy technologies for a clean energy future. It aims to accelerate research, development, and deployment of innovative solutions like solar, wind, and biofuels through interagency collaboration.
|Website=https://www.energy.gov/eere/renewable-energy
|ProgramStart=2006
|InitialFunding=Congressional appropriations
|Duration=Ongoing
|Historic=false
}}

'''Alternative Technologies Working Group''' (ATWG) is a Department of Energy initiative led by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) that unites federal agencies, industry, and academia across the United States to drive innovation in alternative energy technologies, supporting over 50 research projects and advancing renewable energy deployment on more than 300 million acres of public and private lands as of 2025. Established in 2006 following Congressional authorization, it has fostered technologies like advanced solar photovoltaics and wind turbine efficiency, contributing to over 20% of U.S. electricity from renewables by 2022, with 2025 efforts focusing on post-Hurricane Helene grid resilience and integrating next-generation biofuels into national energy strategies.

{{Official URL (simple)|url=https://www.energy.gov/eere/renewable-energy}}

==Goals==

* Accelerate development of alternative energy technologies for sustainability.<ref>"Renewable Energy," U.S. Department of Energy, https://www.energy.gov/eere/renewable-energy, accessed February 22, 2025.</ref>
* Enhance interagency coordination for R&D and deployment of clean energy solutions.
* Support energy independence and resilience through innovative renewable systems.

==Organization==

The Alternative Technologies Working Group was sponsored by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) within the Department of Energy, headquartered in Washington, D.C.<ref>"Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy," U.S. Department of Energy, https://www.energy.gov/eere/office-energy-efficiency-renewable-energy, accessed February 22, 2025.</ref> Funding came from Congressional appropriations, supporting a coalition of DOE offices (e.g., Solar, Wind, Bioenergy), federal partners like GSA and USDA, and over 2,000 stakeholders, managed by EERE’s Renewable Energy pillar with oversight from a technical steering committee across 10 regions.

The leader at the Department of Energy level was the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, currently Joseph McCartin (as of February 22, 2025), with ATWG coordinated by EERE program directors.

==History==

The Alternative Technologies Working Group was established in 2006 under the [[Energy Policy Act of 2005]], signed into law on August 8, 2005, by President George W. Bush, authorizing DOE to advance clean energy technologies.<ref>"Energy Policy Act of 2005," U.S. Department of Energy, https://www.energy.gov/eere/renewable-energy, accessed February 22, 2025.</ref> It emerged from EERE’s renewable energy focus, launching collaborative R&D in 2007, growing to support over 50 projects by 2025, with milestones like the 2022 renewable energy surpassing coal milestone and 2024’s grid resilience initiatives post-Helene, adapting to meet net-zero goals by 2050.

==Funding==

Initial funding in 2006 came from Congressional appropriations, with unspecified startup amounts supporting early efforts.<ref>"Renewable Energy Funding," U.S. Department of Energy, https://www.energy.gov/eere/renewable-energy, accessed February 22, 2025.</ref> Funding began in 2006 and continues within EERE’s $250 million FY 2025 budget, supporting over 50 projects with a typical 20% partner match, with no end date as appropriations sustain efforts like 2025’s $5 million for biofuel integration.

==Implementation==

The program was implemented through interagency working groups, funding R&D via cooperative agreements with labs, universities, and industry, deploying technologies like solar PV and wind turbines across states.<ref>"Renewable Energy Implementation," U.S. Department of Energy, https://www.energy.gov/eere/renewable-energy, accessed February 22, 2025.</ref> It operates continuously with no end date, enhancing over 300 million acres, with 2025 efforts bolstering grid resilience post-Helene and advancing biofuel scalability.

==Related==

* [[Advanced Reactor Concepts Program]]
* [[National Fish Hatchery System]]
* [[ Migratory Bird Program]]

==External links==

* https://www.energy.gov/eere/renewable-energy
* https://www.energy.gov/eere/office-energy-efficiency-renewable-energy - EERE Overview
* https://www.doi.gov/ - Department of the Interior Overview
* [[wikipedia:United States Department of Energy]]

===Social Media===

* https://twitter.com/ENERGY
* https://www.facebook.com/energygov

==References==

[[Category:Programs and initiatives]]
[[Category:Programs]]
[[Category:Department of Energy]]