Lakewood, CO -- Tomorrow, Congressman Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) will host Vice President Joe Biden, and members of the Colorado delegation at the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) located in the 7th CD in Golden, CO.

"Vice President Biden's visit showcases the importance NREL, the crown jewel of renewable energy research labs, has in transforming the way we power our nation and achieving energy independence," stated Perlmutter.  "The best way to move our nation forward toward long-term economic security and stability is to ensure a solid infrastructure allowing innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship to flourish. The important research work from the dedicated scientists at NREL means about 5,500 private and public sector jobs here in Colorado.  Investing in our long-term energy independence will help us afford to fill up our gas tanks in the short term, and quite simply, is good for jobs, our national security and our climate."

This event with Vice-President Biden launches Perlmutter's Innovation Tour scheduled for June 28 - 30th.  Each of these days, Perlmutter will highlight local small businesses spawned by the growth in the alternative energy, aerospace and bioscience fields.  Details of the tour and media availability will be released in the days preceding the tours.

"Small businesses are the engines of our economy," said Perlmutter. "Our commitment to helping small businesses in these industries succeed will mean good paying, stable jobs for now and into the future.  They will help our district, state and nation lead the way toward ensuring the United States' remains competitive and we achieve long-term security and prosperity."

• NREL is a $714 million annual boost to Colorado's economy, according to data compiled by the University of Colorado.
  
  
• NREL’s full-time work force at the lab grew from 917 in 2007 to 2,300 today. In total, NREL’s presence means more than 5,500 private and public sector jobs in Colorado.
  
  
• As a result of the work from NREL, Colorado places sixth nationally in the value of clean-energy jobs.
  
  
• Between 1998 and 2007, clean-energy jobs in Colorado grew by 18.2 percent – that’s more than double the 8.2 percent growth in all jobs in the state. As of the end of 2009, Colorado had 17,000 clean-energy jobs.
  
  
• As of August of 2010, NREL had 329 contracts with Colorado companies totaling $414 million, including $75.3 million paid out in the most recent fiscal year. NREL had cooperative research and development agreements with 23 Colorado companies; and technical service agreements with 24 Colorado firms as of the summer of 2010