As originally published in the Loudon Times-Mirror on April 12th, 2018.
I would like to commend U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-10th District) for her vote and her leadership in ensuring that the FY18 budget included funding for Department of Energy’s most important research and development endeavors.
The department’s programs, especially the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), are instrumental to securing our energy future through American ingenuity and global competitiveness. Progress in energy innovation will also help in our overall national defense by updating our grid systems and exploring new types of energy to decrease our dependence on foreign sources.
Investing in the research and development of advanced energy technologies increasingly appeals to conservatives like me because it pays off over the long term. Compared with the wasteful spending of many government programs, every dollar invested on energy delivers handsome returns. In fact, many of the breakthroughs ARPA-E has achieved over the past decade are helping to grow our economy and create new jobs today.
Rep. Comstock worked hard to protect Virginia’s priorities in this budget, including the military, infrastructure, and workforce development—but they all depend on reliable, cost-effective energy. By setting a strong baseline for energy innovation and modernization funding for FY19 and years to come, she has guaranteed we will have the power necessary to make the most of them.
Heather Reams, Managing Director Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions