House of Representatives Passes Energy and Water Appropriations Bill

July 17, 2007

Today, a bi-partisan majority the House of Representatives passed HR 2641, the appropriations for Energy and Water development projects, by a vote of 312-112. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.

This bill allocates funds for energy and water development projects and related agencies for fiscal year 2008.

Included in the bill were funding requests made by Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) for key energy projects within the 7th Congressional District.

Under the bill, the Colorado School of Mines will receive $1.5 million for the Colorado Fuel Center, to research the use of renewable and logistic fuels in a variety of fuel cell types. The program will work with Colorado-based fuel cell developers, and will provide technical support to US-based fuel cell developers to develop multiple-fuel systems capable of operating on renewable or logistic fuels.

Additionally, Jefferson County will receive $1 million for a centrally-located biomass processing center to help provide a fuel source using forest thinning materials from the Wildland Urban Interface, as well as from forest restoration and forest fuel reduction projects.

"The development of alternative and renewable energy programs is critical for future generations," said Rep. Perlmutter. "Quite simply, it is good for national security, good for the environment and good for jobs. These projects demonstrate the Colorado is a leader in moving our nation forward developing renewable energy projects. I am happy to help and support these programs located within the 7th Congressional District, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to help ensure these funding measures are met."