WASHINGTON, DC-- Today the House approved, with bipartisan support, an amendment offered by Congresswoman Marcia Fudge (OH-11), Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Congressman Charles Bass (R-NH) in the FY2012 Energy and Water Appropriations bill to restore funding for cutting-edge research through the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E).

Below is Congresswoman's statement for the record on the Fudge Schiff Bass Amendment which restores funding for the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) to FY11 levels (approx. $180 million) It  restores the $79.6 million cut in the current bill.

STATEMENT FOR THE RECORD: The U.S. House of Representatives, July 14, 2011 from Congresswoman Marcia. L. Fudge

"As we are discussing fiscal issues and trying to make responsible spending cuts, I'm confused as to why ARPA-E is even on the table.  It is one of the most effective and efficiently run programs in the federal government.  It is an example of what we are doing right.  An example of a place where we not only should be investing in scientific research, but where we need to be investing. 

Let's look at the internet.  We all know that the internet is a product of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA.  DARPA was established in 1958 in response to the Soviet launch of Sputnik.  Back then, Congress knew that it was government's role to address what was not only a matter of national security, but also pride. 

Now, let's look at the energy industry today.  We have lost our technological lead, we are no longer number one in innovation, our competitors are rapidly outpacing us in advanced energy fields.  Worst of all, we're addicted to foreign oil.  Moreover, we are consuming more energy than we are producing, and it is not sustainable. 

No matter what combination of sources you think is the answer, there's no arguing the energy crisis in this country is today's Sputnik.  Yet instead of working together to make sure that future generations will have electricity, we're voting to ban efficiency standards for light bulbs.  Where are our priorities?

Most of us know, and all of us should know, that we cannot rely the private sector to invest in basic research.  Companies need to make profits, and they need to minimize risk.  Basic research is risky.  However, the return on investment is often smaller compared to the return to the economy as a whole.  That's why it's the role of government to make these investments, especially now, as we are coming out of a recession. 

Google recently released a comprehensive report which examined the potential impact of what breakthroughs in energy technology could mean for the United States.  They found that certain key innovations could:

·         Grow the US economy by over 155 billion dollars in GDP per year

·         Create over 1.1 million new jobs

·         Save consumers over 942 dollars per year

·         Reduce US oil consumption by over 1.1 billion barrels per year

ARPA-E will allow us to make the breakthroughs needed for these outcomes.  If anything, we should be increasing funding for this vital program. 

Take, for example, one of the projects that Case Western Reserve University is working on in Northeast Ohio.  It which involves high-power titanate capacitors for power electronics.  This project will develop novel capacitors for power electronics in the hybrid electric vehicle and consumer electronics markets.  The capacitors are designed with metallic glass that allows spontaneous self-repair.  This self-repair allows the devices to be driven to higher voltages and thereby achieve higher energy density.  The market for capacitors in power applications is 1.6 billion dollars per year.

Research like this is what will make this country prosperous again.  We cannot afford to cut this program, and I urge my colleagues to support this amendment." 

CWRU has two current ARPA-E grants in the revolutionary sphere of high-risk/high reward research on clean energy.  Understanding the critical importance of reducing our nation's energy dependence on foreign oil, as well as its potential to revitalize Cleveland's economy, Congresswoman Fudge is a strong supporter of ARPA-E.

• Case Western Reserve University  (G&S Titanium, Evans Capacitor Company)  $2,254,017 Cleveland, OH

Capacitors - Automobiles: High-Power Titanate Capacitor for Power Electronics This project will develop novel capacitors for power electronics in the hybrid electric vehicle and consumer electronics markets.  The capacitors are designed with metallic glass that allows spontaneous self-repair.  This self-repair allows the devices to be driven to higher voltages and thereby achieve higher energy density.  The market for capacitors in power applications is $1.6 billion per year.

Univenture/Algaeventure Systems (Case Western Reserve University, Rockwell Automation, Ohio University, NB Innovation): $5,992,697  Scaling and Commercialization of Algae Harvesting Technologies.