Letter from members of Congress to Peter J. Visclosky and David Hobson (Washington, D.C.), March 18, 2008, regarding U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation (2 pages)

C o n g r e s s of the United S t a t e s Washington, DC 20515 March 18, 2008 The Hon. Peter J. Visclosky Chairman Subcommittee on Energy & Water The Honorable David L. Hobson Ranking Member Subcommittee on Energy & Water 2362-B RHOB Washington, DC 20515 1016 LHOB Washington, DC 20515 RE: Support for US-Israel Energy Cooperation; FY09 Energy & Water Appropriations Dear Chairman Visclosky and Congressman Hobson: We are writing to request $15 million to implement the U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation provisions of H.R. 6, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, P.L. 110-140. Section 917 of that act authorizes a cooperative grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Energy. Joint ventures involving the U.S. and Israeli governments, academics or businesses are eligible for funding under the program to research and develop alternative energy and energy efficiency technologies. This program will build on existing cooperative science and technology efforts, including the United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF) and the United States-Israel Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation, which have already made possible many scientific breakthroughs in the fields of life sciences, medicine, bioengineering, agriculture, biotechnology and communications. U.S. researchers will gain from collaborative efforts with Israeli colleagues to the benefit of both countries' efforts to increase energy efficiency and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Among the technological breakthroughs made by Israeli scientists and researchers in the field of alternative and renewable energy sources include the development of technology that enables rechargeable batteries to provide three times as much electricity as existing rechargeable batteries; the development of technology that increases the efficiency of solar energy; and the development of a novel technology for use in direct-oxidant fuel cells that is capable of competing favorably with hydrogen fuel cells and traditional internal combustion engines. PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER Accordingly, we respectfully request that the subcommittee provide $15 million from the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy account in the FY 2009 Energy and Water Appropriations bill for the implementation of the U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation provisions of H.R. 6. Sincerely, BRAD SHERMAN Member of Congress ROBERT WEXLER Member of Congress ELIOT ENGEL Member of Congress JERROLD NADLER Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress MICHAEL F. DOYLE Member of Congress HELLEY BERKtE lember of Congress WAXMAN Member of Congress AXMAN f RON KLEIN Member of Congress ANTHONY WEINER Member of Congress VITO FOSSELLA Member of Congress ALLYSON Y. SCHWARTZ Member of Congress