Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer
and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced millions in investments for energy
research at some of New York’s leading research institutions, including
Brookhaven National Laboratory, Columbia University, Cornell University,
General Electric Global Research and SUNY Stony Brook. Combined, the
institutions will receive $10 to $50 million over the next five years to
advance innovation and technology in renewable energy to combat global warming
and fuel New York’s economy for the long term. The investment from the U.S.
Department of Energy’s Office of Science is part of the American Recovery
and Reinvestment Act, which Senator Gillibrand helped pass earlier this
year.
“Providing funds to these world class research institutions will not only
create jobs in New York in the short term, but will save consumers money by
allowing them to buy less fuel, make us safer by fostering energy independence,
and allow us to keep our resources here at home, instead of shipping them
overseas,” said Senator Schumer.
“By investing in research and innovation, we can relieve our
dependence on foreign oil and create jobs in New York,” Senator Gillibrand
said. “New York is home to the world’s leading scientists and research
institutions, which are working to develop the next generation of energy
technology. These institutions provide crucial economic engines in every
corner of our state. I will continue to work with Senator Schumer and the
Obama Administration to direct federal dollars to develop the renewable energy
industry in New York.”
The five New York institutions are among 46 Energy Frontier Research Centers
(EFRCs) nationwide receiving $777 million over the next five years to
accelerate the scientific breakthroughs needed to build a new 21st century energy economy. The national effort will bring together groups of
leading scientists to address fundamental issues in fields ranging from solar
energy and electricity storage to materials sciences, biofuels, advanced
nuclear systems and carbon capture and sequestration. Investments in New York’s
research institutions will go toward the following renewable energy
advancements:
Brookhaven National Laboratory: Research the
fundamental physics of superconductivity to discover new high-temperature
superconductors and improve performance of known superconductors;
Columbia University: Develop the science to reach breakthroughs in
efficient creation of solar power in nanometer-sized thin films;
Cornell University: Understand and control the nature, structure and dynamics
of reactions at electrodes in fuel cells, batteries, solar photovoltaics and
catalysts;
General Electric Global Research: Explore the fundamental chemistry for
new approaches to store energy that combines the best properties of a fuel cell
and a flow battery;
SUNY Stony Brook: Develop key knowledge of fundamental reactions at
electrodes to tailor new electrodes to improve performance of existing batters
and design entirely new ones.
Over 110 institutions from 36 states plus the District of Columbia will be
participating in the EFRC research. In all, the EFRCs will involve nearly
700 senior investigators and employ over 1,100 postdoctoral associates,
graduate students, undergraduate students and technical staff.
Senator Gillibrand is a strong supporter of President Obama’s economic recovery
plan. It will help create or save more than 200,000 jobs in New York alone,
while laying the foundation of future economic growth by making critical
investments in renewable energy, infrastructure, health care technology and
education.