Demand for clean energy technology has grown globally, but these technologies are often dual-use products and materials with military or national security applications. As a result, the U.S. government subjects these technologies to export controls, but one consequence is that these controls make U.S. clean energy technologies less competitive around the world, writes AAF’s Director of Energy Policy Ewelina Czapla. Such trade barriers should be reviewed and modified, where possible, so U.S. technology can help mitigate carbon emissions around the world, she notes.

An excerpt:

Policymakers should put additional focus on reforming export controls and licensing requirements for energy technologies that do not pose a threat to national security. Improvements can be made by revisiting both the mission of export controls on a high-level as well as the procedural demands of obtaining a license. Making such targeted changes can maintain the national security requirements intended in export controls while allowing valuable technology to compete abroad.

Read the analysis.