Kohl, Feingold, Baldwin Praise Grant to University of Wisconsin-Madison
for Bioenergy Research Center
Members of Congress wrote Letter in Support of Grant to U.S. Secretary
of Energy
June 26, 2007
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Herb Kohl (D-WI)
and Russ Feingold (D-WI) and U.S. Representative Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
praised the awarding of a $125 million grant from the Department of
Energy to the University of Wisconsin-Madison for the creation of
the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC). The goal of the
GLBRC will be to increase the use of biofuels in the United States
by researching improved technologies to make the production of biofuels
more cost-effective and sustainable. On January 31, 2007, Kohl, Feingold
and Baldwin wrote to Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman in support
of the grant. Other Wisconsin delegation members signing the letter
were U.S. Representatives Steve Kagen, Ron Kind, Gwen Moore, Dave
Obey, Tom Petri, Paul Ryan, and James Sensenbrenner.
“For many years now, UW-Madison has led the way
in developing new technologies that make their way seamlessly from
the research lab to our farms. Today’s announcement is a reflection
of that, but more importantly, it solidifies our state and our flagship
University’s position at the head of the burgeoning renewable
fuels industry. As we wean our way off oil, gas, and coal energy sources,
we know that more and more Americans will turn to biofuels to heat
their homes and fuel their cars – biofuels developed and produced
in Wisconsin,” Kohl said.
“This is an exciting moment for the University
of Wisconsin-Madison and the state as they lead research into the
promising next generation of biofuels, such as cellulosic ethanol,
that will foster increased national security, support our local communities,
and protect our environment,” Feingold said. “The innovations
achieved by the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center will enable
the United States to meet the ambitious renewable energy goals established
in the recently passed Senate energy bill.”
“The selection of UW-Madison to lead one of three
national bioenergy centers will ensure that Wisconsin continues to
play a leading role in cutting edge research and technology to address
energy independence and global climate change,” said Congresswoman
Tammy Baldwin. “The Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center will
benefit from the biomass resources available in our nation's farm
belt, the experience of our nation’s educators and researchers,
and the determination of Americans to cut our reliance on fossil fuels.
Significant government and private sector funding of research to develop
and perfect new clean sources of energy are critical as we prepare
for a post-petroleum economy,” Baldwin said.
Scientists and engineers at the GLBRC in Madison will
work in partnership with leading institutions, laboratories, and companies
around the world to develop novel technologies for sustainable biomass
production, conversion of biomass into energy, and new methods to
yield clean and renewable fuels. The scientific and engineering breakthroughs
that will occur in Wisconsin as a result of this grant hold enormous
potential to decrease our nation’s dependence on oil.
