Programs Carry Potential to Create Millions of Well-Paying Jobs, Improve Security & Expand U.S. Global Influence
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) released the following statement after co-signing a letter with leading energy research and national advocacy organizations encouraging Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) to maintain funding for critical research projects at the Department of Energy.
“Innovation is at the heart of America. Our nation’s creativity and ingenuity is second to none, but our ability to deliver will be at risk if we scale back important investments in key research initiatives that promote innovation in clean energy technology, strengthen the American economy, and protect our national security. Federal investments in cutting edge research have made significant progress in the effort to advance clean energy sources that are safe, abundant, and sustainable. It is imperative that Republican leaders in Congress take steps to maintain and protect funding for the Department of Energy’s research projects in their FY2018 budget,” said Reams.
CRES joined a number of leading energy and research organizations in co-signing the letter, including:
- Alliance for Industrial Efficiency
- American Chemical Society
- American Council on Capital Formation
- BPC Action
- ClearPath Action
- Energy Sciences Coalition
- Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2)
- Information Technology and Innovation Foundation
- Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI)
- Nuclear Energy Institute
- Southern States Energy Board
- State Science and Technology Institute (SSTI)
- Third Way
In the letter, the organizations noted that “[e]nergy innovation fosters new and lucrative domestic industries, creates millions of well-paying American jobs, and improves energy security, while expanding the nation’s global influence.” Additionally, the letter stated: “..the DOE has helped produce some of the most impactful technological advances of the modern era in energy, engineering, materials science, computing, physics, health sciences and more. Renewing the federal commitment to this R&D network is essential to ensuring American innovators stay ahead of the global competition.”
To read the full text of the letter, click here.
Earlier this week, CRES Forum sent a letter to Republican House and Senate offices outlining the nonpartisan organization’s support for ARPA-E and other Department of Energy innovation programs “that encourage investment in the sector and help fund small businesses that are the engine of our economy and the source of new growth.” In it, CRES Forum Director of Policy and Advocacy Charles Hernick noted that “[r]esearch and development investments in clean energy improve our economy, strengthen our national security, and preserve our environment.”
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Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization founded in 2013 to engage Republican policymakers and the public about commonsense, conservative solutions to address our nation’s need for abundant, reliable energy while preserving our environment.