Wyden/Merkley: El premio $5 Million consolida el papel de Oregón como líder en tecnología ecológica

Washington DC – A White House announcement that a soon-to-be Oregon company will receive $5 million in Recovery Act money to develop batteries for hybrid and all-electric cars further establishes Oregon’s reputation as a center for green technology, Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today.

“Oregon is already leading the way in the development of wind, solar and other forms of alternative energy,” Wyden said. “It is only fitting that a company that is on the cutting edge of technology that will further the goal of energy independence, reduced greenhouse gases and create high-paying jobs for skilled workers will soon have its headquarters in Oregon.”

“Electric cars have an enormous potential, but their success depends on better and cheaper battery technology,” said Merkley.  “I couldn’t be more thrilled to have a company like ReVolt putting Oregonians to work developing critical battery technology.  Successful American leadership in electric car technology will generate thousands of jobs and strengthen the American economy by ending the payout of $1 billion dollars a day for foreign oil.”

Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced today that ReVolt Technologies will receive $5 million as part of a $106 million award to 37 ambitious research projects under the Department’s ARPA-E program that could fundamentally change the way the country uses and produces energy. 

According to ReVolt officials, the company has selected Portland as its U.S. headquarters, is moving forward with plans for a Portland office and is seeking local locations for additional, larger facilities.

 ReVolt’s goal is to design, manufacture and demonstrate the world’s first electrically rechargeable zinc-air battery system for use in motor vehicles. The company has previously developed rechargeable, portable, zinc-air technology– such as those used in hearing aids and popular consumer electronics – and now seeks to scale up that technology to meet our country’s pressing transportation electrification needs. 

 Senator Wyden, Senator Merkley, Congressman Earl Blumenauer and Congressman David Wu wrote a letter to Secretary Chu earlier this month urging that ReVolt be considered for Recovery Act money.