Rep. Doris Matsui Announces Federal Grant Award to Sacramento Firm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, May 22, 2009
CONTACT: Alexis Marks or Mara Lee
(202) 225-7163
Local Environmental Analysis Firm Receives DOE Grant as Part of 20% by 2030 Goal for Clean Energy
Congresswoman Doris Matsui announced today that a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) grant of $93,340 has been awarded to ICF Jones andamp; Stokes, an environmental analysis consulting firm based in Sacramento. The grant will be used to develop an online toolkit for assessing and managing wildlife impacts from wind turbines. DOE created the grant program to help address market and deployment challenges faced by wind energy projects, with the goal to see enough wind energy projects developed to meet 20% of U.S. energy needs by 2030.
"Increasing wind energy generation is a key factor in achieving our goals for clean energy, and is one of our most promising renewable energy sources," said Congresswoman Matsui. "By continuing to make investments in renewable energy we can cut our dependence on foreign oil and invest in a clean energy agenda that creates jobs and puts money back into the pockets of consumers."
Wind energy offers environmental advantages over fossil-fueled methods of generating electricity, but poses a variety of potential environmental impacts. Under state and federal laws these impacts must be addressed as part of the alternatives analysis and permitting process. ICF Jones andamp; Stokes will develop a standardized online toolset that will allow wind power developers, regulatory agencies, and others to assess the impacts of future alternative wind turbine operations on birds and bats, and to develop appropriate mitigation plans.
"ICF Jones andamp; Stokes' scientists, planners and regulatory specialists will provide DOE with an interdisciplinary framework to help ensure ecosystem management is an integral strategy to the development of wind energy sources." said Lisa V. Larrabee, Sr. Vice President with ICF Jones andamp; Stokes. "Our efforts with DOE will be transparent to the public, agencies, and industry through a comprehensive public involvement process as well. We are honored to be part of DOE's efforts to provide energy alternatives to fossil fuels."
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