Recovery Act Grant allows NYSERDA to promote cleaner technology

Washington, D.C.--Congressman Eliot Engel announced that the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will be receiving a $13,299,101 grant from the United States Department of Energy’s (DOE) Clean Cities program. The funding was made available thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

The Clean Cities program funds a range of energy efficient and advanced vehicle technologies, such as hybrids, electric vehicles, plug-in electric hybrids, hydraulic hybrids and compressed natural gas vehicles. All of which take vital steps forward in reducing petroleum consumption in the United States, and takes the nation one step closer to true energy independence.

“Earlier this year, the House passed The American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES). I believe the revamping of our nation’s energy policy will not only create millions of new clean energy jobs, save consumers hundreds of billions of dollars in energy costs, but also enhance America's energy independence, and cut global warming pollution. It promotes green jobs and promotes renewable sources of energy and clean electric vehicles. This grant for NYSERDA takes these goals one step closer to fruition. I anticipate before Congress comes to a close this year, we will have a new energy policy in place to finally free us from our dependence on foreign oil,” said Rep. Engel, the senior New York member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

NYSERDA has embarked on a project for alternative vehicles and fueling stations called the “Statewide Alternative Fuel Vehicle Program.” It will utilize multiple alternative fuels and technologies statewide, including the use of cleaner school buses, municipal vehicles, urban delivery and utility vehicles. The data collected from the use of these vehicles will provide NYSERDA and DOE with insight on how these alternative technologies operate in diverse conditions. The DOE estimates the initiative will help displace 302,000 gallons of petroleum annually.

Rep. Engel has introduced legislation to help break America’s addiction to foreign oil. The Open Fuel Standard Act (H.R. 1476) would require half of all cars made or sold in America by 2012, and 80% by 2015, to be flexible fuel vehicles. These vehicles would be able to run on gasoline, or alcohol-based fuels such as methanol or ethanol, or a combination of both. Alcohol fuels, including both ethanol and methanol, offer the potential for significant supplies of fuels that can be produced in the United States, and in other Western Hemisphere countries friendly to the United States.

“I will continue to fight for the Open Fuel Standard Act, portions of which were included in ACES. Flex-fuel vehicles allow for competition and consumer choice in the transportation fuel market which would serve to end oil’s monopoly in the transportation sector, strip oil of its strategic status, and protect consumers from price gouging at the pump. Flex-fuel vehicles are estimated to cost only $100 more than the same car in a gasoline-only version. Some experts say the added cost could be as low as $30. It is a simple and inexpensive modification that should be standard in cars, like seatbelts or airbags,” said Rep. Engel.

“Grants such as this one which invests energy solutions will strengthen our economy and create jobs at the local level,” said Rep. Engel. “It will lay the groundwork needed for an America which is energy independent. I want to thank President Obama for having the foresight to include in ARRA such funding which finally addresses our long-ignored energy crisis,” added Rep. Engel.