Rep. Kaptur and U.S. Energy Department Officials Meet with Leaders in 9th Congressional District
Visit Highlights Local Talent and Need for Affordable, Clean Energy in Ohio
TOLEDO, OH — Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-9) hosted the Department of Energy’s Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Dr. David Danielson, and the Department’s Weatherization and Intergovernmental Programs Director, Anna Garcia, in a series of events throughout the 9th Congressional District this week designed to spotlight and develop initiatives focused on generating cleaner and more affordable energy in Ohio.
Elected Officials and utility operators from Lucas to Cuyahoga Counties expressed interest in partnering on local energy initiatives in a Tuesday afternoon session. They spoke about a $26 million program the DOE hopes to launch to help local communities generate energy more efficiently.
“Building stronger partnerships among business and government leaders is key,” said Kaptur. “We spend millions of dollars on energy each year across northern Ohio to power the water and sewage plants. There is an opportunity to save money by streamlining services and introducing more renewable energy projects.”
“I hope the meeting will be the first in a series of energy discussions,” said Kaptur. “The California water drought highlights the importance of a nexus between our water and energy efforts. I believe we need to start seriously looking at umbrella protections for the Great Lakes.”
Rep. Kaptur and Assistant Secretary Danielson visited the campus of Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) on Wednesday for discussions focused on clean and alternative energy.
The delegation toured CWRU’s Sears Think[box], one of the world’s largest and most advanced makerspaces and community workshops. Opening in October, Think[box] has already proven to be a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship – spinning off numerous inventions and start-ups companies.
Following the visit, Rep. Kaptur and Assistant Secretary Danielson joined CWRU’s Alexis Abramson, Director of Great Lakes Energy Institute for a forum and conversation with students, faculty, researchers and a wide range of clean energy practitioners.
Discussion focused on the role of government versus industry in energy research and development investment, the future budget of DOE, and the need for short term and long term investments.
As the Congresswoman reiterated our country’s need for energy independence, Dr. Danielson and Rep. Kaptur received briefings on initiatives being championed here in Northern Ohio. Ranging from modernizing the electrical grid, advancing solar and wind industries and improving energy storage to smart buildings and sensor technology, Northern Ohio has become a hotbed for clean energy innovation.
In related news, Rep. Kaptur heralded an announcement made yesterday by the U.S. Department of Energy about seven small clean-energy businesses chosen to work with Sandia National Laboratories to bring next-generation technologies to market faster. One of the seven companies to be selected for the Small Business Vouchers Pilot is Skysun, LLC. Skysun, LLC is a startup solar company located in Bay Village, Ohio that has received support from federal agencies such as NASA and locally, JumpStart. Skysun, LLC brings a simpler and more reliable technology to solar concentration.
Rep. Kaptur has long called for the U.S. Department of Energy and National Energy Laboratories to work with Ohio companies.
“A major factor in Assistant Secretary Danielson’s visit was to highlight the amazing potential of the companies and talent surrounding the clean-energy economy right here in Northern Ohio,” said Kaptur. “The announcement today is tremendous news for Skysun, LLC and for our entire region.”
“It was my privilege to learn more firsthand about the outstanding economic development and research underway in Northeast Ohio, and to meet so many innovators in that region supported by the Department of Energy,” said Assistant Secretary Danielson. “DOE is working with Congresswoman Kaptur and other leaders in Congress to help innovators to tap into the emerging clean energy economy. These efforts include public-private partnerships, such as the Small Business Vouchers program, which allows entrepreneurs across the country to access the world-class resources at our National Laboratories. Another example is our newly proposed Cities, Counties, and Communities Energy Program, which is designed to provide funding and technical assistance to local governments, public housing authorities, and non-profits to catalyze energy solutions in community development and revitalization.“