“Our nation is facing a growing energy crisis, and it is important that we utilize our world class universities to help develop the critical technologies needed to put our nation on a path towards energy independence,” Ross said. “I fought to have this provision included in the final energy bill because SAU is perfectly suited to compete for these research dollars to become a national leader in lignite coal research and carbon capture technologies.”

Ross worked Thursday to include the measure that would allow the Secretary of Energy to award up to $10 million in grants for projects submitted by universities to research carbon capture and storage. During the grants awarding process, special consideration would go to rural or agricultural-based institutions in areas that have regional sources of coal, and that offer programs in the environmental sciences.

“As our nation looks to develop new sources of energy here at home, we cannot forget about those we currently possess,” Ross said. “In Arkansas alone, we have nine billion tons of coal that is not currently being used and I believe that we can find ways to utilize and develop this resource in an environmentally friendly manner to reduce our dependence on foreign energy sources. SAU is well-poised to conduct the important research necessary to make this goal a reality.”

Ross is a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the House Committee on Science and Technology where he plays a key role to help remedy our nation's energy crisis. 

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