WASHINGTON -- Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) today applauded the Senate for reauthorizing the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education and Science (COMPETES) Act. This is one of the first bills Senator Coons has cosponsored as a United States Senator. The legislation focuses on supporting innovation by increasing investments in research as well as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. The bill now awaits final passage in the House.
“To remain competitive in the global economy, I believe we must fight for investments in STEM education and cutting-edge research,” Senator Coons said. “I’ve seen first hand in Delaware how these types of investments can spur job growth.”
One of the most successful programs implemented under the America COMPETES Act is the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), which funds “out-of-the box” clean energy projects. ARPA-E recently funded two cutting edge projects in Delaware. Nearly $4.5 million went to the University of Delaware to develop the next generation of permanent magnets for hybrid vehicles and alternative energy. More than $8.8 million went to DuPont for the development of a commercially viable process for the production of bio-fuel from seaweed.
“This is exactly the kind of bill I came to the United States Senate to support,” Senator Coons stated. “I’m pleased to join Senator Rockefeller and others in co-sponsoring and passing this vital piece of legislation.”
The original America COMPETES Act was signed into law in 2007, and was based on recommendations from the National Academies’ Rising Above the Gathering Storm report, which warned that America’s place as a global leader in science and technology was at risk.
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