Appropriations Committee Approves Increased Funding For Clean Energy Research

Statement

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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