Today, U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) advocated for energy innovation and resiliency programs during a hearing with Energy Secretary, Rick Perry on Management and Mission Priorities in the Department of Energy (DOE).

Rep. Peters defended the DOE’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), which develops and deploys energy technologies to reduce our dependence on foreign energy sources, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and maintain U.S. leadership in the global energy sector.

“You indicated up front that innovation in energy was one of your goals. Why on earth would you zero out this budget?” asked Rep. Peters.

Rep. Peters continued, “When the utilities came in [to testify] and I asked them specifically ‘What’s the federal role in energy security in terms of grid efficiency and reliability?’ They said research.”

ARPA-E provided $1.5 billion to over 580 projects since it was created in 2009, but the budget blueprint released by the Trump Administration in May eliminated the program. In July, Rep. Peters opposed cuts to ARPA-E in the Republican spending bill that passed the House.

UC San Diego received $15 million in ARPA-E grants over the last five years including funding for projects to increase grid security and efficiency. Last year, Achates Power in Sorrento Valley received the largest ARPA-E grant ever awarded: $9 million to develop more efficient combustion engines. 

[[{"fid":"930","view_mode":"full","fields":{"format":"full","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":false,"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"full","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":false,"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"style":"height: 375px; width: 640px;","class":"media-element file-full","data-delta":"1"}}]]

Click here or the image above to watch Rep. Peters question Secretary Perry.