U.S. Reps. Mark Udall (D-Eldorado Springs) and Ed Perlmutter (D-Golden) today hailed the Energy Department’s decision to provide an additional $100 million to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden. Udall and Perlmutter sought the funding in a 2007 spending bill that Congress passed and the president signed into law last month.
"This cash infusion will provide a much needed boost in funding for NREL so that it can expand research and development into biofuels, solar and other renewable sources energy. After years of budget cuts and lip-service, this administration is finally listening and we’re beginning to catch up. NREL is the nation’s premier clean energy research and development institution and we must make these critical investments. Energy independence is so critical to our national security, our energy security and our economy that we cannot afford to shortchange programs that will move us forward,” said Udall.
“I am pleased that we were able to work with Senators Allard and Salazar, members of House of Representatives and with the Department of Energy to secure this funding for NREL. NREL is one of the leading research institutions in the world developing renewable energy technologies.This funding is critical to their ability to remain at the forefront of creating alternative sources of energy that will reduce our dependence on oil.Quite simply, this is good for national security, good for the climate and good for jobs.” said Perlmutter.
The $100 million is part of the $300 million increase for DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy programs that was included in the long-term funding bill for fiscal year 2007. According to the Energy Department, the additional funding will be used for biofuels research, solar panel manufacturing and construction of an on-site lab.
NREL still faces a three-percent cut under the president’s fiscal year 2008 budget proposal. Udall and Perlmutter have sent a letter to the House Appropriations Committee asking that fiscal year 2008 NREL funding be at least at fiscal year 2007 levels.
