Washington, DC – Today, Representative Adam Schiff announced that the House approved funds for an alternative energy project in Pasadena and the Arroyo Seco Watershed Study. The funds are provided in the Energy & Water Appropriations bill, which passed the House this afternoon.
Rep. Schiff was successful in securing $500,000 for Superprotonic in Pasadena to help fund its Solid Acid Fuel Cell research project. Superprotonic was founded in 2003 by Caltech scientists who invented the first new fuel cell in 40 years – solid acid fuel cells (SAFC). These new fuel cells are a practical and economical form of alternative energy. SAFCs are lower in cost and have a longer life than conventional fuel cells. Most importantly, solid acid fuel cells will help reduce our dependence on foreign oil, because they run off hydrogen and biofuels rather than fossil fuels.
SAFCs can be used for a wide range of applications by industry, commercial consumers and the military. They can provide locally generated electricity to industrial and commercial facilities eliminating the need for coal burning power plants and electric grid expansion. SAFCs make energy independence and emissions reduction goals easier and less costly to achieve.
“Superprotonic is doing superb work right here at home in Pasadena to protect our environment by producing electricity with reduced greenhouse gas emissions,” said Schiff. “Solid acid fuel cells provide a cleaner alternative energy source that can help our nation reduce its dependence on foreign oil – ultimately making us safer.”
Rep. Schiff also worked with nine of his local Southern California Congressional colleagues to include funding in the bill for local environmental restoration and conservation projects. The measure provides $200,000 for the Arroyo Seco to allow the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a Watershed Management Plan Feasibility Study. The Arroyo Seco Watershed Management Plan is a project supported and coordinated by the County of Los Angeles to develop a comprehensive, environmentally friendly approach to manage the Arroyo Seco Watershed. The project is supported by the Arroyo Seco Foundation, North East Trees, the California Coastal Conservancy, the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, and the cities in the watershed.
“Restoration and conservation of our scarce open spaces is vitally important to ensuring a good quality of living,” Schiff said. “This funding will help ensure that the Arroyo Seco returns to its natural state - an environmental gem. Once it’s restored, it will provide enjoyable open space and recreation areas for generations to come.”
Rep. Schiff was appointed to serve on the House Appropriations Committee in the 110th Congress and is a member of its Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee, the State Department and Foreign Operations Subcommittee, and Financial Services Subcommittee. He also serves on the Select Intelligence Oversight Panel and the House Judiciary Committee and its Subcommittee on the Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property. He represents California’s 29th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, East Pasadena, East San Gabriel, Glendale, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena and Temple City.
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