Washington, D.C. – Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D) and Cory Gardner (R) today announced the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) awarded Colorado School of Mines a $2,047,676 grant and University of Colorado Boulder a $2,500,000 grant to fund potentially disruptive technology in the energy sector. More details about the projects are available here.

“Congratulations to the Colorado School of Mines and University of Colorado Boulder on receiving ARPA-E funding for their innovative research,” Bennet said. “As we continue to unlock the promise of clean energy, I’ll work to ensure Colorado remains a leader in the development of new cost-effective technologies.”

Earlier this year, Bennet delivered remarks at the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) Energy Innovation Summit, opposing President Trump’s budget proposal to eliminate ARPA-E, and outlining key efforts to develop the United States—and Colorado—as a global energy leader. Those efforts are to 1) increase—rather than decrease— investments in ARPA-E, 2) provide more reliable and predictable government funding over the long-term, and 3) work with innovators to convince policy makers of the benefits of investment.

“The Colorado School of Mines and the University of Colorado Boulder are leading the way in innovative energy technologies and I’m thrilled they will each receive over $2 million to continue their cutting-edge research,” Gardner said. “I have always advocated for continued funding of our research and development programs and will continue to do so because of the enormous benefit these programs bring to Colorado.”

According to the Department of Energy, ARPA-E advances high-potential, high-impact energy technologies that are too high-risk for private-sector investment. ARPA-E awardees are unique because they are developing entirely new ways for Americans to get, store, and use energy.