Appropriations Committee Approves Increased Funding For Clean Energy Research
Schatz Worked To Include a $22 Million Boost in Funding for ARPA-E, Bringing Total to $375 Million Over Five Years
WASHINGTON – Today, the Senate Appropriations Committee advanced the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 2019. U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Appropriations Committee, worked to include $375 million for the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E), an agency within the Department of Energy tasked with funding energy technology projects that help the United States compete and prosper. The funding is a $22 million increase from last year.
“Innovation in advanced energy technologies has the potential to help solve some of the world’s biggest problems, including climate change,” said Senator Schatz. “ARPA-E is helping fund projects at the cutting-edge of the technology that could someday save the planet.”
Hundreds of innovative energy projects have received ARPA-E funding, and many show significant promise. The early funding has encouraged millions of dollars in additional private-sector investment for many ARPA-E projects. These projects have the potential to drastically improve the U.S. economy, national security, and the environment.
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