Michigan to receive $3B in energy grants

DETROIT, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Vice President Joe Biden, visiting the heart of the U.S. auto industry, announced the availability of $2.4 billion in research grants for advanced batteries.

"For our nation and our economy to recover, we must have a vision for what can be built here in the future -- and then we need to invest in that vision," Biden said in Detroit. "That's what we're doing today and that's what this (American Reinvestment and Recovery Act) is about."

President Barack Obama was in Indiana outlining the funds the Hoosier State would receive.

About $1 billion in grants would go to companies and universities based in Michigan -- the largest share of grant funding going to any one state, Biden said.

Automakers General Motors Co, Chrysler Corp. LLC and Ford Motor Co. will receive a total of more than $400 million to manufacture thousands of advanced hybrid and electric vehicles, as well as batteries and electric drive components, the White House said. The remainder of Michigan's share would be divided between two companies and three universities.

Members of Obama's Cabinet traveled to other states Wednesday to announce local grant recipients.