U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu will visit the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden tomorrow to announce millions of dollars for wind power research projects from President Barack Obama’s $787 billion stimulus package.
“It’s exciting news that Secretary Chu will be announcing millions in funding for wind projects across the country and at NREL,” said U.S. Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo. “Colorado has the wind in the eastern plains, the sun in the San Luis Valley and the great minds at research facilities like NREL to be a national leader in the new energy economy.”
The U.S. Department of Energy — which owns NREL — has not revealed the exact amount the lab would receive from the stimulus package.
Local officials earlier this month had said it was “discouraging” when the department said NREL wouldn’t benefit much from the stimulus package, although it includes big spending on renewable-energy and energy-efficiency programs.
“It will be great to have the Secretary here,” said NREL spokesman George Douglas. “It will be his first visit as Secretary, but he has been here before.”
Douglas said he didn’t know any other details about Chu’s impending visit.
Gargi Chakrabarty: 303-954-2976 or gchakrabarty@denverpost.com
