U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján

From the Office of U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján:

NAMBÉ – Today, U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) participated in a remote hearing of the House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Energy focused on the importance of promoting clean energy and building a strong and resilient economy.

The hearing considered three bills led by Luján to spur innovation and promote entrepreneurship and small business partnerships with National Laboratories.

“While all of us represent constituents, who are struggling to make ends meet, to pay rent, and provide for their families, I am encouraged by the increased attention on putting people back to work by building a more sustainable and resilient economy. The COVID-19 pandemic has made clear the role that our scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and innovators play in addressing our nation’s most pressing challenges,” said Luján, co-chair of the Congressional National Labs Caucus.  

Luján continued: “I am proud of New Mexico’s contribution to our research mission, led by two world-class National Laboratories, Los Alamos and Sandia National Labs. Acting on these bills today means that more ideas and innovations, from our best and brightest scientists, will make it into markets, provide jobs, and improve our quality of life.”

Video of the hearing is available here.

The Energizing Technology Transfer Act would drive clean energy technology commercialization nationally and at the National Laboratories across the Department of Energy, and includes the following bills introduced by Luján:

The Leveraging our National Labs to Develop Tomorrow’s Technology Leaders Act would strengthen the Department of Energy’s Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program, which utilizes national laboratories to train and develop the next generation of tech entrepreneurs to meet the challenges and needs facing our communities. 

The Promoting Small Business Innovation through Partnerships with National Labs Act would allow small businesses to gain access to premiere facilities at the National Laboratories, spurring innovation and stimulating the culture of private-public collaboration.

The hearing also featured Luján’s bipartisan IMPACT for Energy Act, which would establish a nonprofit foundation for the U.S. Department of Energy that would channel private-sector investments and accelerate the commercialization of innovative technologies in energy.