United States Department of Energy to Fund Two Local Projects
For Immediate Release
April 29, 2010
Contact: Ricci Graham
(510) 763-0370
Washington D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) announced that the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) will direct $8.6 million in funding to the 9th Congressional District in support of two research projects that could fundamentally change the way the country uses and produces energy.
The DOE will provide PolyPlus Battery Company with $4.9 million in funding for its Lithium-Air Batter Research program. The Berkeley-based firm is working to develop rechargeable Li-Air Batteries for electric vehicles applications using Lithium metal cathode. DOE officials believe the batteries may rival the energy density of gasoline.
Additionally, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory will receive $3.6 million in DOE funding to research ways to capture harmful emissions at coal-fired power plants.
“I couldn’t be more pleased by the Obama Administration’s decision to provide funding for the two projects,” Congresswoman Lee said. “These institutions have demonstrated a longstanding commitment to important research projects, and this funding will allow them to continue their work.”
In total, the DOE is awarding $106 million in Recovery Act funding for 37 projects nationwide. The awards are part of an overall $100 billion investment the Recovery Act is making in creating jobs and driving economic growth through innovation, science and technology.
###