WASHINGTON – United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., Chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship commends the Department of Energy for their dedication to small business innovation. The Department of Energy (DOE) announced yesterday that $30 million in funding from the Recovery Act and FY 2010 budget appropriations will be available for eligible small businesses developing clean energy technologies. Senator Landrieu has met with DOE on numerous occasions to discuss the need to invest in the small business technology and innovation programs.

“Small businesses account for more than half of America’s workforce and put almost a trillion dollars into the American economy each year,” Senator Landrieu said. “I am pleased to see the Department of Energy investing in one of America’s most valuable assets. This funding will give small businesses the necessary capital to make technological advancements generating business expansion and economic growth. All Americans will reap the benefits of DOE’s investment.”

The funding will expand on the Department’s current initiatives within their Small Business Innovation Research program (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer program (STTR). Small businesses currently developing clean energy technologies with potential job growth qualify for the new funding. Small businesses may receive up to $3 million over three years to research, expand, and implement the project.