FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, May 9, 2012
CONTACT: Ian Koski at 202-224-4216

Statement from Senator Coons on resignation of ARPA-E director

Dr. Arun Majumdar will return home to his family in California next month

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and a strong advocate for the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy, released the following statement after Dr. Arun Majumdar, director of ARPA-E and President Obama’s nominee to be Undersecretary of Energy, announced he would be leaving the department. 

“It is a true shame that we’re losing someone as innovative and talented as Arun Majumdar. In just three years, Dr. Majumdar has stood up a new agency, helped move Recovery Act funds into job-creating programs, and served as a reliable trouble-shooter and trusted secretarial advisor. As the director of ARPA-E, Dr. Majumdar has been an extraordinary ambassador for the ecosystem of innovation that will power the next generation of energy production in this country, and is certainly one of the most inspiring people I’ve met in my time here in the Senate. Dr. Majumdar’s research experience at UC Berkeley and investment experience with startups helped him seamlessly bridge the worlds of government, laboratory, and finance.

“While I regret that my friend has decided to resign and return home to California, I understand and empathize with the significant strain his service to our country has placed on his family. I wish him well, and look forward to future opportunities where we might work together again."

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