Talk Radio News Service: News, Politics, Media

By Julianne LaJeunesse - University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

In an effort to provide jobs and more boost to the economy, U.S. Energy and Commerce Secretaries Steven Chu and Gary Locke teamed on Monday to unveil plans to grant up to $100 million in Recovery Act (ARRA) funds to eligible “green” businesses, and to provide at least 3,000 entrepreneurs an expedited patent process if their inventions address climate and emission challenges.

Chu explained that ARRA money for the initiative will come from ARPA-E funding, which he says began as an outgrowth of a 2005 University of California Berkley report. Chu was a contributor to that study, which is now a Department of Energy funding program.

“I’m announcing $100 million dollars in Recovery Act funding to accelerate innovation in green technology through RBE,” Chu said. “This project solicitation focuses on three cutting-edge technologies that could have transformation impact.”

To get the grants, those three technologies will need to provide or create liquid fuels that convert carbon dioxide into fuels, innovative materials and processes for advanced carbon capture technologies and/or low-cost electric vehicle battery technology that can improve energy by as much as five times.

Locke called today’s announcement of a patent pilot program an example of President Obama’s commitment to “making sure the next Silicon Valley, and the jobs that come with it, are located right here in America.”

Locke emphasized the need for U.S. competitiveness, saying that only one in five alternative energy companies are based in the country, and that by giving entrepreneurs a quick outlet through the pilot, American inventors will be given “every advantage to commercialize and thrive in this green energy sector.”

Those eligible for an expedited patent process must have patents pending that either enhance environmental quality, can conserve resources, discover renewable resources and/or reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Undersecretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property David Kappos said the pilot program is expected to decrease patent waiting times by an average of 12 months, adding that the current patent process takes about 40 months.

“Although the pilot will be open to 3,000 applicants,” Kappos said, “if [it is] successful, we will look to expand upon it further down the road.”

The two initiatives released today coincided with the beginning of the 11-day United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, as well as a major Environmental Protection Agency announcement declaring that the Obama administration will begin to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.