Washington, DC -  An Alabama initiative working to develop alternative sources of energy to power military vehicles should receive an additional $3.7 million this year, Congressman Mike Rogers said today.

The funding, which is contained in an appropriations bill passed by the House of Representatives, is dedicated for a partnership between Auburn University, the Anniston Army Depot, and other government stakeholders. The funding will help support ongoing research at Auburn to create hydrogen fuel cells to power Army vehicles, which in turn could be assembled and tested in Anniston. Last year Rogers helped secure $3 million for the program.

“Hard working Alabamians are continuing to feel pain at the pump, and so is our nation’s military,” Rogers said. “Developing alternative sources of energy like hydrogen is critical for helping supply our nation’s long-term energy needs, and could ultimately help meet our military’s growing need for additional sources of power.”

Rogers said H.R. 2863, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2006, passed the House late last night 398-19. In addition to the $3.7 million for hydrogen research the bill also contains $1.8 million to support the Depot’s missile recycling program, and $4.3 million for United Defense to fund the Improved Abrams Track Development program.

“This is a critically important piece of legislation for our Armed Forces,” Rogers said. “I am pleased to have secured funding for this local initiative and thank Senators Shelby and Sessions in advance for their assistance.”

Rogers added the bill still must be approved by the full Senate, as well as a House-Senate conference, and then signed into law by the president.