ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Energy is investing nearly $7 million in 33 small businesses across the country in hopes of building partnerships with national laboratories that can speed up the development of clean energy technology.
Officials with the department’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy announced the businesses selected for the first round of the pilot project Thursday.
Another $13 million in vouchers will be awarded in subsequent rounds, and officials have asked for a budget increase for the next fiscal year.
Aside from doubling the number of small businesses that are working with the national labs, Assistant DOE Secretary Dave Danielson says the goal is to bring game-changing technology to the market faster.
The companies selected represent 20 different states. They’ll be working with nine national labs.