McConnell: UK to Receive $5 Million for Research, New Technology

Statement

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today the University of Kentucky Research Foundation received a $5 million competitive federal grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to expand its cutting-edge rare earth pilot plant. With these grant funds, UK can advance its innovative research to test new technology and potentially reduce the cost of extracting and refining rare earth elements.

Rare earth elements are essential components in technology used by Kentuckians every day, from computer screens and televisions to smartphones and rechargeable batteries. The vast majority of rare earth elements are currently produced and manufactured outside of the United States. Senator McConnell has partnered with leading researchers at UK to expand federal funding opportunities to support research of domestic recovery of these elements, which are found in coal and coal byproducts.

"The University of Kentucky's groundbreaking work is charting a new course for technology, and I was proud to champion funding for this program and support their research," said Senator McConnell. "Dr. Rick Honaker and his team are distinguishing UK as a leading research institution, and I'm committed to using my position as Senate Majority Leader to help them stay at the front of the pack. Together, we're tapping into Kentucky's economic potential and setting it up to lead into the future."

Senator McConnell, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, championed this funding program in the fiscal year 2019 Energy and Water Appropriations bill and partnered with UK to bring these critical resources to Kentucky.

Source