Feb. 9
Rep. J. Randy Forbes, R-Va., has reintroduced legislation that would challenge the United States to reach 50% energy independence in 10 years and 100% energy independence in 20 years.
House Resolution 513, which Forbes has dubbed the New Manhattan Project, would bring together scientists and researchers in a competitive format to reach seven energy goals. The project would award cash prizes to the first group, school, team, or company that reaches each of the following goals:
- Double Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards to 70 miles per gallon
while keeping vehicles affordable
- Cut home and business energy usage in half
- Make solar power work at the same cost as coal
- Make the production of biofuels cost-competitive with gasoline
- Safely and cheaply store carbon emissions from coal-powered plants
- Safely store or neutralize nuclear waste
- Produce usable electricity from a nuclear fusion reaction.
In addition, the bill sets aside funding for grants to individual researchers, groups, educational institutions or businesses to help share the cost of work toward achieving the goals.
Forbes originally introduced the New Manhattan Project in the previous session of Congress.
E-mail Waste News senior reporter Bruce Geiselman at bgeiselman@crain.com
Copyright 2009 by Crain Communications Inc. All rights reserved.
To subscribe or visit go to: http://www.wastenews.com