Energy Department to speed technology

WASHINGTON, Sept. 2 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Energy is making up to $7 million available to speed up clean energy technologies from seven national laboratories into the marketplace.

John Mizroch, deputy assistant secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy, said the funding is designed to help move post-research technologies toward commercial viability. He said this is achieved by providing pre-venture capital funding for such activities as prototype development, demonstration and deployment.

"Our … national laboratories are responsible for incredible innovation, from new efficiency technologies and biofuels to solar energy," Mizroch said. "It is absolutely critical that we move clean energy technologies to market at a rate and scale that is commensurate to the magnitude of the problem -- our environmental well-being, national security, and economic competitiveness are waiting for it."

The seven Energy Department national laboratories selected were: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, $1,500,000 each; Argonne National Laboratory and the Sandia National Laboratory, $700,000 each; Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, $500,000; and the Los Alamos National Laboratory, $600,000.

Officials said the ultimate goal is wide distribution of energy-efficient and renewable energy technologies into the marketplace, ultimately improving the economy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing energy security.