Rep. Wild Secures Funding to Benefit Lehigh University in House-passed Funding Bill

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Susan Wild (PA-07) announced House passage of federal funding she requested for multiple, competitive grant programs at the U.S. Department of Energy. Past recipients of these research grants include Lehigh University. This funding comes as part of the Energy and Water Appropriations Act which supports research and development into clean and efficient energy solutions and creates sorely needed new jobs to take on climate-forward initiatives to rebuild our nation’s crumbling energy and water infrastructure. 

“The Greater Lehigh Valley has always been on the forefront of innovation – with our universities and their cutting-edge research playing a pivotal role,” Wild said. “Now, their leadership will help put our community – and our country – back on track. With this funding, these programs will be able to continue to lead groundbreaking research that will build a new, green national infrastructure, stimulate the growth of our local and national economy, and put us on a national path toward recovery.”

"In our research, Lehigh strives to be a resource for the communities, governments, and businesses that will build on what we learn to do the difficult, creative, and ultimately fulfilling work that lies ahead,” said Alan Snyder, Lehigh University’s Vice President and Associate Provost for Research and Graduate Studies. “We are grateful for the Federal funding Congress dedicates to support our work, which is a key dimension of our educational environment."

In April 2019, Wild visited the labs of the biological sciences department at Lehigh University and saw how this funding can directly benefit the cutting edge research these universities and their students conduct.

Wild played a key role in securing this crucial funding by formally requesting the House Appropriations Committee include the following items in Energy and Water Development funding bill that passed the House. 

• Office of Fusion Energy Sciences: Bill funds at a level of $680 million;
• Office of Science: Bill funds at level of $7.05 billion, $50 million above FY20 funding level;
• Energy Innovation Hubs: Bill fully funds the energy innovation hubs;
• Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy: Bill funds at a level of $435 million, $10 million about FY20 and rejects the budget proposal to eliminate this program;
• Energy Frontier Research Centers: Bill funds at a level of $115 million.

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