Catherine Cortez Masto Questions Energy Nominees on Research Program Cuts and Puerto Rico Funding

Concerns Over Trump Administration's Proposed Budget Cuts

• 💡 Senator Cortez Masto highlighted President Trump's fiscal year 2026 budget proposal, which calls for canceling over $15 billion from the bipartisan infrastructure law, specifically targeting battery manufacturers and labeling funds as "handouts."
• ⚠️ The Senator expressed concern that dismantling programs supporting battery manufacturing and research could weaken global competitiveness, especially given the military and clean energy applications of lithium-ion batteries.

Nominee Responses on Battery Research and Manufacturing

• 🔬 Ms. Haresa affirmed the importance of continued innovation in battery technologies and stated that energy storage research within the Office of Electricity is not IGJ-related and is expected to continue if she is confirmed.
• 🚀 She mentioned a collaborative effort at the Pacific Northwest National Lab focused on commercialization from atoms to systems, aiming to develop non-lithium solutions to compete with China.
• 🇺🇸 Mr. House agreed on the necessity of reducing reliance on China for battery technology manufacturing and emphasized bringing production back to the U.S., noting Nevada's significant lithium resources.

Questions Regarding Puerto Rico Energy Infrastructure Funding

• 📌 Senator Cortez Masto questioned the future of $1 billion appropriated by Congress for resilient energy infrastructure in Puerto Rico, specifically for community healthcare centers, noting a potential risk to these projects.
• 🏛️ She raised concerns about the administration's authority to redirect congressionally appropriated funds, emphasizing the importance of respecting Congress's appropriation authority and the rule of law.
• ✅ Ms. Haresa stated that the grid deployment office leads the Puerto Rico efforts and, if confirmed, she will assess the projects' impact and compliance with the law, assuring the Senator she will comply with the law.