Funding New Energy and Infrastructure with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

With the recent passing of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the US government has pledged to fund several areas of science, including massive subsidies to energy-related research and infrastructure. The Department of Energy (DOE) now has $30.7 billion in stimulus funds, which will be targeted at 10 areas and distributed as follows:

• $5 billion for energy efficient homes

Otherwise known as the "Weatherization Assistance Program," these funds will enable low-income families the oppurtunity to increase their home's efficiency with technologies such as energy-efficient appliances and lighting, among others.

• $4.5 billion for greening federal buildings

These funds will go to repairs and increasing efficiency to federal buildings, such as the NIH and USDA facilities, as well as to the repair, improvement, and construction of ports of entry into the US.

• $2.5 billion for renewable energy projects

Funds that will go directly to applied energy research, development, and demonstration and deployment activities. There will also be a review to increase industry standards for energy efficiency and technology through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

• $4.5 billion for Smart Grid technology and transmission infrastructure

The Smart Grid appropriation will create several new programs for communications and energy transmission. This particular funding will have the following impact: to create about $9 billion in projects and matching-fund eligible expense.

• $3.4 billion for clean fossil energy technology

For research and development aimed at CO₂ capture and storage technologies.

• $800 million for next generation biofuels

These funds are allocated for biomass applied energy research, with a explicity focus on the sustainability of these technologies (including producing feedstock for biofuel production, minimizing the amount of water and nutrients used for production, among others).

• $1.6 billion for science and basic research in the energy technologies of the future

These funds will go to the DOE's Office of Science, which funds research on climate science, high-energy physics, nuclear physics, and fusion energy sciences (includes those not listed above).

• $2 billion for battery research and advanced vehicle technologies

Aimed at creating a more efficient and advanced transportation grid based on cleaner burning fuels and enegy efficient automobiles.

• $400 million for Advanced Research Project Agency-Energy (ARPA-E)

ARPA-E is part of the America COMPETES Act, and supports transformational energy technology research projects with the goal of enhancing the nation's economic and energy security.

• $6 billion for cleanup of nuclear legacy

Funds will redouble the ongoing efforts to clean up radioactive waste from Cold War nuclear project sites, creating jobs and reclaiming lands for communities across the country.

For state by state breakdown of the distribution of these funds, check out the DOE's interactive map and for more information on all stimulus funds go to Recovery.gov.