Kiplinger Washington's Letter for March 20, 2008, in regards to FEDERAL SPENDING:
******************************************* Look for Congress to jump-start technology R&D in fiscal 2009 by funding new initiatives focusing on renewable power, fuel cells for vehicles, nanotechnology and intelligent manufacturing. A new agency called ARPA-E will zero in on renewable energy, teaming with private firms to find ways to cut biofuels production costs. We expect lawmakers to fund the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy to the tune of about $5 billion a year for at least the next four years. ARPA-E researchers will also pursue ways to boost the efficiency of wind, solar, tidal and biomass power systems, among other projects. NIST will focus on fuel cells, nanotechnology and manufacturing, also in partnership with private firms. Public funds for the initiatives at the National Institute of Standards and Technology will likely top out at less than $100 million in the early stages but may be increased later. Clinton, Obama and McCain all strongly favor these programs. --- Regards Steven Vincent Johnson www.OrionWorks.com www.zazzle.com/orionworks
