Policy Updates

Federal Policy Priorities

Joby Energy has identified several federal policy priorities. Recognition by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) would offer the industry a level playing ground compete for federal funding. Federal support would rapidly advance industry R&D and propel the U.S. into technology leadership. There are also Federal Aviation Administration challenges that require Congressional action and a need for targeted appropriations for NASA and National Renewable Energy Laborator to tackle industry research priorities.

We specifically support:


Amendments to the Department of Energy Budget Appropriations Request of 2011:

Establishes an Airborne Wind Technology Research and Development Program and requests $18 million for competitive funding. The Program will position the U.S. as the technological leader in airborne wind energy. Funding will be directed to efforts which focus on the technology’s technical, regulatory, and environmental risks. Additionally, investment will facilitate advances in allied technical fields, create domestic jobs, promote local economic development and provide an abundant source of low-cost renewable energy at a cost competitive with coal.

Amendments to P.L. 110-140 — the Energy Act of 2007:

Adds airborne wind energy as an area of research interest.

Amendments to HR 3165, the Wind Energy Research and Development Act of 2009:

Promotes research of high-altitude wind resources and development of airborne wind technology. Proposed amendments to the bill, currently in the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

A Push for ARPA-E to Issue a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA):

Provides a competitive grant opportunity to advance research and development of airborne wind energy.

Legislation to Authorize Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Commercial Airspace:

Congressional action will be needed to establish Interim Operational Approval procedures to approve commercially-operated airspace for pilot testing and deployment of airborne wind energy systems.

Appropriations for a NASA Research Program:

Funds researchers at several centers who have expressed interest in working with airborne wind energy technology developers. The industry can benefit immensely from NASAs expertise in allied fields of science and technology. This funding will enable NASA scientists to perform exploratory, as well as collaborative research towards rapid development and deployment of this game-changing technology.

An Appropriation for a National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Analysis & Testing Program:

Mapping the potential of high-altitude wind is an important and necessary step for successfully deploying airborne wind energy systems. This funding will enable NREL to perform independent evaluation of the resource to corroborate current academic and industry led research results. The funding will also support the development of a testing program to validate the efficacy and reliability of competing methodologies.

Support America Competes Act:

In addition, we also strongly urge Congress to reauthorize the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence In Technology, Education and Science (America COMPETES) for an additional five years.

Congress is well on its way to reauthorizing the bi-partisan America COMPETES Act. First authorized in 2007, America COMPETES is designed to stimulate and support US technical leadership. It has three main goals: (1) to increase research investment, (2) to strength educational opportunities and (3) to develop an infrastructure. The House Science Committee and Senate Energy Committee are leading the bill reauthorization effort.

The America COMPETES Act would combine three authorization bills including the Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E). (HR 4906). Given the current fiscal environment, there will likely be opposition to the bill’s cost in both the House and Senate.

Please voice your support for increased ARPA-E funding by contacting your Congressional Delegation. Contact lists: House or Senate


Draft Message:

Dear Senator or Representative __________,

I am writing to urge your support of the reauthorization of the America COMPETES Act. This legislation provides increased funding to assure U.S. technology leadership in renewable energy. I especially encourage you to support an increase in funding levels for the Advanced Research Projects Agency -- ARPA-E beginning in 2011. This program provides funding for emerging technologies with the potential to revolutionize the renewable energy industry. This investment will assure our technological leadership and U.S. energy security future.

Thank you for your support.