Shaheen: Clean Energy Investments Will Create Jobs, Fuel Economic Growth

Press Release

U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen today called for greater investment in clean energy technologies during a visit to SustainX Energy Storage Solutions in West Lebanon. SustainX is pioneering advanced compressed air energy storage (CAES) technology that has the potential to accelerate the dissemination of clean, alternative energy sources, such as wind and solar, while improving the stability of the electric grid.

"Investing in clean energy is critical not just for our energy security, but for our economic security," said Shaheen. "The clean energy economy is our best opportunity to create millions of new manufacturing jobs right here at home, and SustainX's technology is a great example of how we can do that. Securing these new jobs of tomorrow requires investment today, and I will continue to work to ensure that the United States remains a leader in this essential industry."

As Congress sets its legislative agenda for 2010, top priorities include job creation and comprehensive energy legislation. Taken together, these initiatives can help consumers save on home heating and cooling costs, make the country less dependent on foreign oil, help reduce greenhouse gases, and create jobs. Energy storage technologies, like those being developed by SustainX, can store power when it is cheap or abundant, in the case of solar and wind power, and then release the power when there are higher energy costs or greater demand. These technologies can help bring stability to our electric grid and help consumers by supplying a more cost effective and reliable source of power.

"SustainX is honored by Senator Shaheen's visit," said Dax Kepshire, co-founder and president of SustainX. "In her first term, Senator Shaheen has supported historic legislation to promote U.S. leadership in clean energy, including energy storage, and has been a strong advocate for small businesses and U.S. job creation. We think that SustainX exemplifies the energy future promoted by Senator Shaheen and many of her colleagues on both sides of the aisle."

Last year, Shaheen announced a $5.4 million grant for SustainX to complete a demonstration project of their compressed air energy storage system, a technology developed in their West Lebanon headquarters. The grant, which was awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy, was made possible by funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

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