Legislation to Help Make New Energy Solutions a Reality Part of Feingold’s Larger E4 Initiative
September 11, 2008
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Russ Feingold is continuing the roll out of his E4 initiative with the introduction of legislation to help businesses advance new energy technologies. The Energy and Technology Advancement (ETA) Act will help businesses move new technologies from the research and development phase to the marketplace. Many businesses face the challenge of moving new technologies they have developed to commercialization. Feingold’s bill will bridge that gap by encouraging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which includes the Forest Service, to work with businesses and provide access to resources to assist with getting technologies to market.
“We must do more to make new energy solutions a reality,” Feingold said. “My bill will help make the federal government a better business partner for the many businesses that are researching and developing innovative technology solutions. It’s not enough to invest billions of federal dollars in research and development if the new technologies end up sitting on the shelf or being shipped to another country. Helping new energy technologies get off the ground is essential as we develop the next generation of energy technology that will help break our addiction to oil, while also spurring job creation and enhancing rural development.”
Feingold’s Energy and Technology Advancement Act will further advance new energy technologies by encouraging the USDA to pursue a biorefinery pilot plant that will allow businesses to partner with the federal government to test biofuels technologies, increasing the chances of commercialization. Feingold’s ETA Act will move up the estimated time of arrival, or ETA, that energy and other technologies come to the market. It does so by promoting the federal government as a better business incubator, encouraging the USDA to provide business support services, and authorizing USDA employees and private-sector employees to work together in federal or private experimental or product facilities. Feingold’s bill will also increase cooperation between the federal government and innovative businesses by encouraging the USDA to allow rental of federal equipment and property for the development of new technology. The cost of the legislation is fully offset so as to not increase the federal deficit.
On September 8th, Senator Feingold began introduction of the E4 initiative by offering legislation to boost small business innovation to help spur job creation. Senator Feingold has also introduced bills this week to enhance workforce development and improve transportation options for workers. More information on the E4 initiative is available at http://feingold.senate.gov/e4.