Final Passage of E4 Provision to Help Businesses Develop Energy Technologies

Sen. Russ Feingold

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Russ released the following statement after a Feingold amendment based on his Energy and Technology Advancement (ETA) Act, passed the Congress. The measure, which helps the government partner with private enterprises to develop energy technologies and is a part of his E4 Initiative to create jobs and boost Wisconsin’s economy, now heads to the president’s desk for his signature:

“I am very pleased Congress has passed another piece of my E4 initiative, which will help address our nation’s energy challenges while helping boost Wisconsin’s economy. With the president’s signature, this law will allow the federal government to partner with businesses, universities and others to help develop new energy technologies and bring those technologies to the marketplace. The proposed Bioenergy Pilot Plant at the Forest Products Laboratory in Madison, Wisconsin is an example of the kind of facility that could serve as a business incubator for advanced biofuel technologies. I will continue to push to implement more of my E4 Initiative to help Wisconsin fuel job creation and spur economic development.”

Feingold’s ETA Act, which passed as part of the Department of Interior Appropriations Act, marks the third victory for his E4 Initiative. In July the Senate passed a Feingold E4 provision to support innovative small businesses in key areas like energy and water research where Wisconsin has a strategic edge. And in February another Feingold E4 provision was signed into law to boost job growth, increase energy efficiency, and help businesses and homeowners go green by expanding the types of projects that are eligible for the Qualified Energy Conservation Bond (QECB) program.

More information on Feingold’s E4 Initiative can be found at http://Feingold.senate.gov/e4.