(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) announced that she included $1.75 million for renewable energy research at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in a fiscal year 2010 Senate spending bill. The research will take place at the Marine Sciences Laboratory in Sequim, WA, and will focus on harnessing the power of ocean waves and tidal systems.
“Washington state is well positioned to lead in clean tidal technology and this funding will support the research to keep our state on the cutting edge,” said Senator Murray. “Investing in clean energy technology is good for the environment, and it will create jobs and boost the local economy.”
This project will provide insight into the environmental impacts of developing power sources that will diversify the country’s energy portfolio. The development of ocean energy is a key component to public and private environmental sustainability efforts, as well as critical to the long-term economic viability of the nation.
The program will leverage past PNNL experience in support of sustainable hydropower, as well as the unique location and facilities at the Marine Sciences Laboratory to conduct the research necessary to provide this vital scientific knowledge.
The funding was included in the fiscal year 2010 Energy and Water Development appropriations bill. Having passed the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee today, the bill will now go to the full Appropriations Committee before going to the full Senate for consideration.
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