WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today U.S. Reps. Mark Udall, D-Eldorado Springs, and Ed Perlmutter, D-Golden, secured important funding in the House of Representatives omnibus appropriations bill for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) located in Golden, Colorado. The omnibus bill includes $7 million for NREL operations and maintenance, critical funding for the Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) and the South-Table Mountain Infrastructure, and provides funding for needed solar equipment. NREL is the nation’s leading facility for the development of renewable energy technology. Over the past two decades, NREL-led research has brought the cost and performance of many renewable energy technologies to the doorstep of widespread commercialization. Over this time, the lab has accumulated irreplaceable expertise, specialized equipment, and valuable industry partnerships.
Rep. Udall: “Colorado has the sunshine, the wind power and the brain power to be the nation’s leader in renewable energy production and use. NREL has led this charge. When we invest in NREL, we invest in our state and our country.”
Rep. Perlmutter: “Actions speak louder than words, and today Congress acted to increase funding for our critical alternative and renewable energy projects. NREL is the crown jewel of renewable energy labs, and it is located right here in Colorado. I am proud to fight for this funding for NREL because investing in renewable energy is good for national security, the climate and jobs.”
Congressmen Udall and Perlmutter lead a Colorado delegation letter to the House appropriators arguing for this critical funding in November.
The ESIF will be a state-of-the-art research facility to accelerate research into energy systems integration and the key issues of interconnectivity and control of resources. To further market adoption of renewable energy generation, we need to facilitate broad deployment of distributed Photovoltaic (PV) and central wind while supporting grid reliability and functionality. The $55 million for the ESIF would enable NREL to begin construction on this needed facility in fiscal year 2008. The $7 million for South-Table Mountain (STM) Infrastructure will help with initial construction on this site for a utility ring to connect existing and new buildings to required and shared utilities, such as electrical service, optic network and telecommunication services, water, sewer, and natural gas capabilities. The current utilities system will have difficulty serving these existing and new buildings, especially with STM staff levels set to triple by the end of 2009. The $8 million for solar equipment will allow NREL to purchase state-of-the-art solar equipment at the Solar Energy Research Facility to help advance our knowledge about solar energy.
Tara Trujillo is the press contact for Rep. Mark Udall’s office and can be reached at 720.333.3425. Leslie Oliver is the press contact for Rep. Perlmutter’s office and can be reached at 303.274.7944.
###