Recognizing California Energy, Power, and Innovation Collaborative (Cal Epic)

Floor Speech

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Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the California Energy, Power, and Innovation Collaborative, or Cal EPIC, for its significant contributions to advance the region's zero-carbon goals, strengthen the local workforce, and establish the Greater Sacramento area as a national hub for clean mobility innovation.

In 2019, four distinguished regional institutions: the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, Sacramento State University, and the University of California, Davis, came together to establish the California Mobility Center, now known as Cal EPIC, with a bold and forward looking vision to strengthen the clean energy workforce, foster innovation, and position the Sacramento region as a leader in the clean energy economy.

Cal EPIC has reached another significant milestone with the opening of its Innovation Hub. This 33,000-square-foot research, development, manufacturing, and workforce accelerator brings together cutting-edge technology, hands-on training, and industry collaboration under one roof. The Hub includes dedicated office, classroom, and meeting space; 5,000 square feet for EV technician training in partnership with Rivian Automotive; a 3,500-square-foot manufacturing and prototyping lab; and the 10,000-square-foot Capital Charge Yard, a $4 million EV charger testing center funded by the California Energy Commission. Through interoperability testing, vehicle-to-grid experimentation, and workforce development, the Innovation Hub is creating new opportunities for innovation, preparing workers for the clean-energy economy, and helping position Greater Sacramento at the forefront of the Nation's transition to clean transportation.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the California Energy, Power, and Innovation Collaborative for its leadership and commitment to build a stronger, more innovative, and prosperous clean energy economy in the Sacramento region.

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