FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 12, 2019

CONTACT:

Andy Barnes, 202-785-0507

Energy Innovators Meet with Members of Congress to Discuss Future of Clean Energy Economy and Development

Twelve small and midsize clean energy businesses meet with lawmakers in Washington D.C. regarding federal funding for clean energy research

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Small business leaders from the Clean Energy Business Network (CEBN)—a group of 3,000+ business leaders in all 50 states working in every part of the clean energy economy—are coming to Washington March 12 and 13 to highlight their energy innovations on Capitol Hill. In meetings with lawmakers and their staffs, the business leaders will discuss the need to protect and grow federal funding for the Department of Energy and clean energy innovation overall. CEBN has selected these 14 small businesses with footprints across 25+ states to showcase a diverse range of energy technologies on Capitol Hill. All of these companies have developed and commercialized innovative energy technologies through partnerships with the Department of Energy, ARPA-E, and the National Laboratories. This is all in an effort to further the discussion on readily-available and emerging solutions to combat climate change, advance clean energy investment, and power America’s economy.

Support from the U.S. Department of Energy, Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) and National Laboratories is critical to advancing energy innovation. Federal investments in these programs help support the work of small businesses and startups that are focused on commercializing high-risk, high-reward clean energy technologies. These public-sector investments also help leverage private funding to expedite the commercialization of clean energy technology by breaking down barriers and helping bring cleaner products to the market sooner. As an example, ARPA-E has provided approximately $1.8 billion in R&D funding for more than 660 transformational energy technology projects since 2009, which have so far leveraged more than $2.6 billion in private-sector follow-on funding. The President’s budget request for fiscal year 2020 proposes an 11 percent cut to the Department of Energy and elimination of ARPA-E; however, Congress has the ability to reject these cuts and continue funding and growing these critical programs.

“We are proud of our network of small businesses and the impact they bring not only to the energy industry, but to their local economies as well. They are at the forefront of both innovation and education of what clean energy looks like in their communities. We hope that members of Congress realize the benefit that these small businesses provide to their states and districts,” said Lynn Abramson, President of the Clean Energy Business Network. “Across our country, we need increased collaboration between our private and public sectors to overcome the energy and environmental challenges our country faces.”

During their time in D.C., selected members of the Clean Energy Business Network will discuss with lawmakers the critical technological and environmental challenges facing the U.S. energy industry, and the corresponding importance of continued investment in innovating and deploying the next generation of clean energy solutions. The CEBN and its guests bring unique perspectives from their communities, offering members of Congress a clear lens into in the impact of policies and programs to advance the clean energy economy.

Learn more about this event and the participants here.

###

The Clean Energy Business Network (CEBN) works to advance the clean energy economy through policy, public education, and business support for small and medium-size energy companies. Started in 2009 by The Pew Charitable Trusts, the CEBN is now a small business division of the Business Council for Sustainable Energy. The CEBN represents 3,000+ business leaders across all 50 U.S. states working with a broad range of clean energy and transportation technologies.