U.S. wants funds for new energy research

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- The U.S. Energy Department said it proposed $100 million in research funding for the next fiscal year to support novel energy developments.

Financial support for 46 so-called frontier energy projects expires in July. U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said he wanted to continue the work with the five-year funding proposal.

"Transforming how we generate, transmit, store and use energy is one of the greatest scientific challenges we face in the changing energy landscape," he said in a statement Monday. "This funding will help fuel innovative solutions as we move toward next generation energy systems."

National laboratories, non-profit organizations, universities and private companies are eligible to compete for the proposed funding. Research proposals are meant to steer technological advances in energy programs ranging from biofuels to solar energy and electricity storage.

The highest award offered is for $4 million per year. The Energy Department said the funding is conditional on congressional support.

Lawmakers were unable to find a way to negotiate a deal to fund the federal government, forcing a partial shut down of non-essential operations Tuesday.