ASERTTI News
The President’s Historic
Commitment to Research and Education
In a recent speech to the National Academy of
Sciences, the President announced the launch of a
new Department of Energy organization, the Advanced
Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), as well as
DOE grants to establish 46 Energy Frontier Research
Centers. Modeled after the Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency, the defense agency that
gave us the Internet and stealth aircraft (among
others), ARPA-E will provide $400 million in funding
to support a clean energy economy that will reduce
our dependence on foreign oil and cut carbon
pollution. The initial solicitation will focus on
applicants with a well-formed R&D plan for a
transformational concept or new technology that can
make a significant contribution toward attainment of
the President’s Energy Plan. To view the Funding
Opportunity Announcement for ARPA-E, please
click here. The
expected commitment for the 46 Energy Frontier
Research Centers is $777 million. To find our more
about the Energy Frontier Research Centers, please
click here. To read the full text of the DOE
press release, please
click here.
Restoring America’s
Manufacturing Leadership through Energy Efficiency
Act of 2009
Senator Bingaman recently introduced legislation,
Restoring America’s Manufacturing Leadership through
Energy Efficiency Act of 2009, on behalf of himself
and Senators Collins, Stabenow, Snowe, Bayh, Brown
and Pryor – a bill designed to take the first steps
in transforming U.S. industry and manufacturing to
compete on a global scale to reduce our dependence
on carbon-based fuels, reduce greenhouse gas
emissions and increase productivity. Broadly the
bill,
- provides financing mechanisms for industry
to retool and implement advanced technology,
reducing energy intensity and emissions, while
increasing competitiveness;
- revives and strengthens our industrial
competitiveness through public-private
partnerships to develop and deploy the new
technologies and processes needed to be globally
competitive in a carbon and energy constrained
world; and,
- realizes and captures the future of
manufacturing the United States.
To view the full text of the legislation as well
as a more
detailed summary, please
click here.
$300 Million in Recovery Act
Funds for Clean Cities Program
During an Earth Day visit to WMATA Carmen Turner
Maintenance and Training Facility in Landover, MD,
Vice President Joe Biden announced $300 million in
funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act for state and local governments, and transit
authorities to expand the nation's fleet of clean,
sustainable vehicles and the fueling infrastructure
necessary to support them - adding to the $11
billion already announced by the Department of
Energy to bolster state and local government energy
efficiency programs and weatherize low-income homes.
To learn more about the Clean Cities program, a
government-industry partnership led by the
Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency
and Renewable Energy, please
click here. To view the press release, please
click here.
Secretary Chu Announces
$41.9 Million to Spur Growth of Fuel Cell Markets
To expand the use of clean and renewable energy
sources and reduce America's dependence on foreign
oil, Energy Secretary Steven Chu recently announced
$41.9 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act funding for fuel cell technology – accelerating
the commercialization and deployment of fuel cells
and will create jobs in fuel cell manufacturing,
installation, maintenance, and support services.
The funding includes:
- $41.9 million from President Obama’s
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to fund
13 projects to deploy fuel cells – helping to
build a consumer base for U.S. fuel cell
manufacturers.
- Approximately $72.4 million in cost-share
funding from industry participants—for a total
of nearly $114.3 million. This cost share
demonstrates private sector commitment to
developing and deploying these clean, energy
efficient technologies.
For more information about DOE’s fuel cell
activities, please
click here. To view the full press release,
please
click here.
California Adopts
Far-Reaching Green Transportation Plan
The California Energy Commission recently adopted
the Alternative and Renewable Fuels and Vehicle
Technology Program's Investment Plan – an effort to
change the face of California's fuel and vehicle
types. The Investment Plan allocates $176 million
over the next two years to stimulate green
transportation projects and encourage innovation to
help meet the state's aggressive climate change
policies.
Over the next two years, the Energy Commission
will invest $46 million for electric vehicles,
public charging stations, and manufacturing plants;
$40 million for hydrogen fueling stations; $12
million for advanced ethanol fuel production
facilities and E-85 fueling stations; $43 million
for natural gas vehicles, fueling stations and
biomethane production facilities; $6 million for
advanced renewable diesel and biodiesel facilities;
and $2 million for propane vehicles. The Investment
Plan also directs $27 million go to fund workforce
training programs, research, public education and
technical assistance programs.
Please
click here to view the full press release. You
can view the Investment Plan by
clicking here.
New Technology Firms,
Statewide, Eligible for Up to $1.5 million for
Production
The New York State Energy Research and
Development Authority (NYSERDA) recently awarded up
to $1.5 million in incentives to an Oneonta firm,
Ioxus, Inc., developing an innovative
energy-efficient product. This is the first award
under NYSERDA’s enhanced Manufacturing Business
Incentive Program, an open-ended application for
bridge funding available to firms manufacturing
innovative energy-efficient products in New York
State. NYSERDA’s enhanced manufacturing incentive
program provides up to $1.5 million of funding to
qualified companies that establish manufacturing
facilities in investor-owned utility service
territories in New York State. Companies
manufacturing products to produce clean or renewable
power, or energy- efficient products that result in
a substantial decrease of electricity use, compared
to existing products, may apply for this program.
Information on application requirements and
assistance from NYSERDA staff are available on the
web at
www.nyserda.org/businessdevelopment. To view
the full press release, please
click here. |
