Congress Dubs Energy Hubs Mostly Duds

Science Insider
October 5, 2009
by Eli Kintisch

The U.S. Congress is giving Energy Secretary Steven Chu enough money to launch three of his beloved Bell Labs—fewer than half of his request.

In his proposed budget for 2010, Chu wanted $480 million to start eight Energy Innovation Hubs, or "Bell Lablets," as he called them, to stimulate research in areas ranging from solar energy to new materials for the electric grid. Each would receive $35 million to get started, and $25 million more in each of the following 4 years.

Last week Congress poured semi-cold water on the idea. Conferees to the Energy and Water spending bill approved funding for three of the centers, two in energy efficiency and renewable energy and one in nuclear energy.

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