|
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor and U.S. Representative Marion Berry today announced $12.6 million for FutureFuel Chemical Company in Batesville. The money is allocated through the U.S. Department of Energy and funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. FutureFuel will use the funds for the production of specialized materials for lithium-ion batteries. These materials have proven to be superior to industry benchmark materials and have been adopted for use in power tool, defense, hybrid-electric and electric vehicles, and utility load management applications.
“FutureFuel is a leader in the biofuel industry and a top employer for the Batesville area. I’ve seen FutureFuel’s good work firsthand during my visit to the facility last August, and I am pleased it has been able to access this funding at the Department of Energy. These funds will play an important role in helping to promote economic growth for the entire community,” said Lincoln.
“Lithium-ion batteries are an important technology for electric vehicles and other alternative energy solutions. If Arkansas and America are going to be at the forefront of the new energy economy, developing this technology is essential. These stimulus funds for FutureFuel to help develop lithium-ion batteries are a good investment in the future,” Pryor said.
“The FutureFuel plant in Batesville has been an outstanding leader in biofuels and specialty chemical industry,” said Berry. “This funding will provide FutureFuel with additional resources to create innovative products that will help alleviate our dependence on foreign oil sources. This investment is a positive step in a new direction for our country’s outdated energy policies.”
|
|
