The National Electrical Manufacturers Assn. (NEMA) announced that President Obama has signed into law NEMA-advocated funding as part of the Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill.
During the past year, NEMA has lobbied Congress to increase funding for federal agencies, departments and programs that are important to NEMA companies. These increased funding amounts include:
• $2.24 billion for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, including $200 million for the Building Technologies Program, a 43% increase;
• $32 million for the Federal Energy Management Program, a 45% increase;
• $125 million for the research and development for Smart Grid, energy storage and clean energy transmission and reliability technologies; and
• $27 million for solid state lighting, a $2 million increase.
According to NEMA President and CEO Evan R. Gaddis, these funding amounts are in addition to the monies associated with the economic stimulus package.
"It is great to see Congress recognizing the importance of these NEMA prioritized programs, and that they are willing to allocate the needed resources accordingly," Gaddis said. "I am thrilled that the Department of Energy will have much-needed resources available. This in turn will benefit electrical manufacturers."
Source: NEMA