Rep. Doris Matsui Hosts Successful Clean Energy Forum with Almost 200 Participants
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, June 3, 2010
CONTACT: MARA LEE
(916) 498-5600/ (202) 225-7613
Forum Was Critical Step in Matching Local Businesses with Federal Funding
CA Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) hosted a first of its kind forum at the Sacramento State Alumni Center for local clean technology companies to explore federal funding opportunities with representatives from the Administration. Joined by prominent representatives from the Department of Energy, the Department of Commerce, and the Export-Import Bank, Rep. Matsui's event highlighted Federal programs that businesses can apply for to promote the use of clean technology, bolster the clean energy industry, increase exports of American-made clean energy products, and reduce both energy consumption and costs for consumers and businesses. and#xF3;and#xC8; and#xF3;and#xC8;
As our regional economy continues to recover and grow, the emerging clean technology industry is helping to ensure that Sacramento is prosperous throughout the next century, said Congresswoman Matsui. When our local companies have the opportunity to sit down and meet with Administration officials face-to-face, they can better understand what is required of them in the loan process and that will make our region more competitive down the road.
Almost 200 participants attended today's event - a clear sign of the excitement around the clean energy sector in Sacramento. Local businesses, non-profits, government agencies, university representatives, and citizen activists came together to discuss on-going projects as well as future opportunities coming to Northern California.
Representative Matsui also discussed legislation she recently introduced, the Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Act of 2010, which would assist small- and medium-sized clean technology businesses to find new markets at home and abroad to sell their clean-tech products. and#xF3;and#xC8; and#xF3;and#xC8; This legislation would create a Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Fund to be administered by International Trade Administration within the Department of Commerce to help increase the competitiveness of American-made clean technology.
Sacramento is poised to become a national leader in clean energy, said Congresswoman Matsui. Today's forum will help our local stakeholders understand what federal resources are available to them and how best to prepare, strengthen and grow their businesses to compete in a global marketplace.and#xEE;and#xE4;and#xF3;and#xC8;
Our region has become a nexus in the clean technology revolution, and Sacramento State is proud to partner with Congresswoman Matsui and other local innovators as we work to educate a new generation of leaders for the green economy, said Sacramento State President Alexander Gonzalez.
The Recovery Act, supported by Congresswoman Matsui last year, has set forth record levels of investment in the burgeoning clean and green technology industry. The Obama Administration and this Congress continues to deliver on its promise to support clean tech companies that, in turn, will help reduce our dependence on foreign oil, renew our competitiveness in a global marketplace, and promote the use of alternative technologies that do not threaten our natural resources.
Last fall, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) in cooperation with California State University Sacramento (CSUS) and Los Rios Community College received a Recovery grant of $128 million for the installation of smart meters and a regional smart-grid infrastructure. The federal funding will enable SMUD to deploy technology that it could not otherwise afford that will, for example, help SMUD predict power outages, and know more quickly when they do occur.
SMUD proudly supports the Sacramento region's clean technology business sector, said Elisabeth S. Brinton, Chief Business andamp; Public Affairs Officer, SMUD. As the nation's most progressive electric utility, SMUD has been a local economic development engine for many decades, from pioneering utility scale solar over 25 years ago, to our Smart Grid and Advanced Renewable Energy Development work happening today. Congresswoman Matsui's practical and visionary leadership is a key to our region's competitiveness. Today's Clean Energy Federal Funding Forum gives local private sector companies important access to federal funding options needed to accelerate the commercialization of energy related technology in today's otherwise tough economy supporting the clean energy technology that will help utilities like SMUD best serve our customers for years to come.
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