Ross worked Wednesday in the Committee to include authorizing language that would allow the Secretary of Energy to award five grants for projects submitted by universities to research carbon capture and storage in combination with enhanced oil recovery. Of the five awards, at least two of the grants would go to rural or agricultural based institutions that offer programs in the environmental sciences to promote diversity among the projects and ensure that any environmental impacts of this technology are thoroughly examined.

“In Arkansas alone, we have nine billion tons of coal that is not currently being used and I believe that we can find ways to utilize and develop this resource in an environmentally friendly manner to reduce our dependence on foreign energy sources,” Ross said. “This amendment is a perfect fit for schools like SAU who are well positioned to research lignite coal and carbon capture technologies.”

Ross’ amendment was part of the Department of Energy Carbon Capture and Storage Research, Development and Demonstration Act of 2007, H.R. 1933, and was passed in the House Science and Technology Committee. The bill must now be approved by the full U.S. House of Representatives.

“As our nation looks for new sources of energy, we cannot forget about those we currently possess,” Ross said. “I look forward to working with SAU to help them research new, cost-effective sources of energy and to ensure that our domestic resources are fully utilized.

Ross is also a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce where he plays a key role to help remedy our nation's energy crisis. 

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