| Related Stories:
|
| Keywords: | |
|
Bills Include $2 Million for Projects
For more information on this story contact:
NOVEMBER 20, 2003 -- In separate bills, the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives have approved $2 million in funding for two endeavors at Michigan Tech.
The Omnibus Energy and Water Appropriations Conference Bill, passed by the House and awaiting final Senate approval, provides $1 million for research on nanostructured materials to advance hydrogen fuel cell development.
The Senate has included $1 million to support the relocation of the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum in its version of the Department of Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill. Members of the Senate and House will now meet in a conference committee to work out the differences between the two spending bills.
"We are deeply grateful to Senator Carl Levin and Senator Debbie Stabenow for their consistent support of this project," said Stan Dyl II, director of the mineral museum. "This appropriation, should we get it, will do a great deal to catalyze this project."
Museum planners hope to move the facility, located on the fifth floor of the Electrical Energy Resources Center, to the Quincy Mine Hoist site of the Keweenaw National Historical Park. The estimated cost of the entire relocation project is $17 million.
"If this appropriation passes, its impact will be felt immediately," Dyl said. "We'll begin rehabilitating the blacksmith and machine shop buildings to accommodate the museum."
If approved, the House energy bill appropriation for nanostructured materials and hydrogen fuel cell development will support research centered in the Department of Chemical Engineering.
"We've been working with the Department of Defense on building better fuel cells for vehicles," department chair Michael Mullins said. "Under this Department of Energy grant, if it's passed by the Senate, we'll be developing new nanotechnologies to apply to electrochemical systems, hydrogen storage and other fuel cell materials."
"I'd like to take this opportunity to say thanks to Congressman Bart Stupak," Mullins added. "Without his help, this wouldn't have happened."
"All of this is really, really good news for us," said Dale Tahtinen, vice president for governmental relations. "We owe a debt of gratitude to Senator Levin, Senator Stabenow and Congressman Stupak for their tireless efforts on behalf of Michigan Tech." |
|
