TUCSON, Ariz. — Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) announced that $12.1 million would be allocated for science, technology and renewable resources in Arizona from the recently passed economic stimulus bill.

Giffords held a public meeting Feb. 16 to outline the ramifications of the $787 billion economic stimulus package for science, technology and renewable resources both nationally and in Arizona. More than 220 people crowded into a student union meeting room on the University of Arizona campus to hear the financial future of renewable energy in the Southwest.

“It’s a very dense report,” Giffords said. “But it’s important to understand the real numbers.”

It is estimated that the package would allot $54.1 billion to energy and science nationally. That is about 6.87 percent of the entire funding for the bill, which President Obama signed into law Feb. 17.

Giffords outlined two specific energy programs that would receive additional funds for research and development.

Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy, established by Congress in 2007, would receive $400 million. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, another branch of the Department of Energy, would be awarded $2.5 billion for research and development. That money would go toward “competitive grant funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy research, development, demonstration, and commercial deployment," Giffords said.

Research and development of other new energy methods will be funded by $2 billion for the engineering of advanced vehicle batteries and $3.4 billion for fossil fuel research and development. Both organizations are national programs, however, Giffords did not specify how much money would be designated for Arizona.

The package would also include $20 million in tax incentives over the next 10 years for renewable energy construction. This would cover up to 30 percent of the costs for constructing renewable energy facilities, such as solar water heaters. These tax credits include a $2,500 incentive for those who purchase a plug-in hybrid vehicle through 2010.

Science research and development will also receive significant funds, Giffords said, including $1 billion for NASA and $3 billion for the National Science Foundation, with $75 million of that going toward scholarships and professional master’s degree programs.

Energy Funding Nationwide Energy tax incentives: $20 bilion National Institute of Healtht: $10 billion Science Research and Development: $7 billion Fossil Energy: $3.4 billion State Department Energy Program: $3.1 billion EERE $2.5 billion Energy Conservation Bonds $2.4 billion Clean Renewable Energy Bonds $1.6 billion ARAP-E $400 million Science Education $75 million Source: www.giffords.house.gov

Energy Funding Nationwide


C.J. Karamargin, communications director for Gabrielle Giffords, said it is still early in the process and so it is not clear how much will be spent on any other specific energy and environment programs.

“It is unclear who will be the ones to allocate the money right now,” Karamargin said. “Congress voted for this bill. It’s not perfect yet, but we are looking at it as the opportunity that it is.”

Giffords also encouraged Arizonans to log onto www.recovery.gov, a Web site designed to track where money from the bill is being spent. Giffords explained that the site is a tool for Arizonans to keep a check on the government to see where and how much of the bill is being spent on items such as grants, tax cuts, salaries and scholarships.

Other speakers included Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup on the impact for towns and counties and Steve Zylstra, president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council, on investments in technology companies in Arizona.

Updates on legislation and other stimulus package benefits for Arizona can be found at Giffords' Web site.