Schatz Secures $55 Million For Clean Energy To Support Projects In Hawai‘i And Across The Country

WASHINGTON – Senate appropriators approved a bipartisan spending deal today that would fund $55 million in federal funding for clean energy technology and implementation projects, including ones in Hawai‘i. U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, helped secure the funds which now await a final vote by the Senate.

“Hawai‘i’s partnerships with the military to research and implement clean technology are proving that our state is leading our country toward a clean energy future,” said Senator Schatz. “I am pleased to have helped secure these and other funds for our state, and look forward to working with my Senate colleagues to see this appropriations deal signed into law.”

These funds support the work of the Hawai‘i Natural Energy Institute at the University of Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Center for Advanced Transportation Technologies, and others that are advancing clean energy technology and implementation for the military in Hawai‘i.  These include projects such as the new microgrid demonstration system at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam that will help ensure the Air National Guard has access to the energy it needs to execute its defense and homeland security missions at home and abroad.  Senator Schatz used his role on the Senate Appropriations Committee to secure these funds which were not part of the president’s budget request.