By Mark W. Menezes | Department of Energy, Under Secretary for Energy
President Donald J. Trump declared June 2020 “National Ocean Month,” and the Administration is doing much to ensure responsible ocean stewardship – fostering marine economic growth while keeping our seas clean for generations to come.
The Department of Energy (DOE) is doing its part in several groundbreaking ways. With our private sector partners, we are developing innovative techniques for reducing plastic waste that pollutes our waterways. Our experts are also studying renewable energy sources from the seas, which have the potential to reliably power our coastal and maritime industries. And led by the White House, we are also offering several prizes to advance transformational technologies to meet the global need for safe, secure, and affordable water.
Let’s dive into the ways the DOE is leading the world in protecting the ocean and harnessing its power.
Recently, the DOE launched a bold new endeavor that, within the decade, will change the way the world deals with plastic waste. The Plastics Innovations Challenge focuses DOE resources and allows our National Labs, universities, and industry leaders to create comprehensive plastics recycling technology advancements.
Our first goal is to develop collection technologies to prevent plastics from entering waterways and facilitate its removal from the ocean and beyond. The developing Bio-Optimized Technologies to Keep Thermoplastics out of Landfills and the Environment (BOTTLE) initiative will play a crucial, related part, driving the efficient manufacture of new recyclable-by-design plastics. While oceanic pollution may not be American made, the problem will be solved through American ingenuity.
Securing clean water is also essential for U.S. economic competitiveness and energy security. That’s why we have created several prizes in this field, such as the Waves to Water Prize, to develop wave-powered desalination systems. Today we announced the winner of the Waves to Water phase 2 winners as well as the selection of Jennette’s Pier in the Outer Banks as the test site for the final phase of the competition.
In conjunction with the White House, DOE has launched the Water Security Grand Challenge so that America can create new jobs in new water-energy fields, create freshwater through desalinization of the ocean, and recover our water resources from going to waste.
At DOE, we’re working with our partners across the federal government to ensure that our oceans stay blue and clean even as our economy is green and growing. We are proud of our initiatives – like the Plastics Innovations Challenge – that will create new jobs while also taking care of the environment. This short video explains why this mission, and others like it, is so important for our country:
Mark W. Menezes
Mark Wesley Menezes served as Deputy Secretary of Energy. The Deputy Secretary is responsible for driving transformative energy progress and technology solutions through coordinated planning, management, and innovation. Prior to being confirmed as Deputy Secretary of Energy, Mr. Menezes served as the Under Secretary of Energy.
Having served as an executive at Berkshire Hathaway Energy, a partner at Hunton & Williams LLP, and a Chief Counsel, Energy and Environment, at U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce – Mr. Menezes has held many positions within the energy sector prior to coming to the Department of Energy. Before his service with House Energy & Commerce, he was Vice President with Central and South West, and upon its merger with American Electric Power, served as Vice President and Associate General Counsel for federal and state legislative and regulatory affairs.
Mr. Menezes has been named in National Journal’s “Hill 100”—top Congressional staff for his work on both energy and environmental matters. He has been frequent guest speaker and lecturer before numerous associations and civic groups, including legal education seminars where he has been called on to address the nation’s energy and environmental policies, utility restructuring, telecommunications, ethics, merger and acquisition practices, and regulatory and legislative processes. He has co-authored numerous articles, a practice manual, and been quoted in the New York Times, Law360, Oil and Gas Journal, Politico as well as interviewed by E&ETV. He’s been listed Best Lawyers in America 2013–2016, Corporate Counsel’s Top Lawyers 2006–2011, Washington Post’s Top Lawyers 2008–2016, and DC Super Lawyers 2012–2016.
Mr. Menezes is a graduate of Louisiana State University receiving both his undergraduate and juris doctor degree. Until joining the government he was a charter member of the Advisory Council, Louisiana State University Law John P. Laborde Energy Law Center, and served on the Board of Directors of the Congressional Chorus & American Youth Chorus.