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House clears $3 billion for auto technology research

Reuters -- WASHINGTON - The House of Representatives approved a $3 billion proposal on Wednesday to further spur research into advanced batteries and other technologies to power electric cars and other vehicles.

The bill, proposed by Michigan Representative Gary Peters, would also establish a technology program for commercial trucks, transit vehicles and heavy duty machinery.

The government has in recent months sharply boosted funding for battery research as U.S. automakers seek to reverse their fortunes and increase production of hybrids and introduce electric cars.

Japan leads the industry in advanced battery production and gasoline-electric hybrid sales.

Under Peters' bill, the Energy Department would lead a new $3 billion research initiative over five years.
The agency al

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Submitted Sep 16, 2009 By: in_orbit

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ItsMorph Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:26,479 Points:2,171,385 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2009 1:39:07 AM Ignore ItsMorph Report Abuse "Unfortunately they should have passed the Cash for Clunkers into a dedicated fund to back this technology research! In my eyes currently, this was a complete fiasco that truly has not helped the automotive makers here in the States enough to do it justice. Just sounds like another attempt to make our burdens become even more of a hardship on our backs and that of even our grandchildren when they get older! Obviously, we do not elect smart enough politicians to do the right thing." What's obvious is that the politicians want more power for themselves. OK, kids, it's time for some research. "Conservation". Let's look that up, shall we? "Conservative". Let's look that up, too, shall we? "Conserve". Let's give that a go as well.
Buddy2264 Champion Author Tampa Posts:6,420 Points:1,344,415 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2009 1:36:02 AM Ignore Buddy2264 Report Abuse This is a great beginning both for electric cars and for an improved electrical grid that could feed back off the batteries when needed. We need a new, cheaper electrical system. Giving up oil for higher priced electricity is not the answer. Conservation keeps your money in your pocket.
joel27nc Champion Author Raleigh Posts:5,342 Points:851,120 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2009 1:02:01 AM Ignore joel27nc Report Abuse I think that was John McCain's idea?
RovingOkie67 Champion Author Arizona Posts:1,576 Points:414,655 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2009 12:56:14 AM Ignore RovingOkie67 Report Abuse Unfortunately they should have passed the Cash for Clunkers into a dedicated fund to back this technology research! In my eyes currently, this was a complete fiasco that truly has not helped the automotive makers here in the States enough to do it justice. Just sounds like another attempt to make our burdens become even more of a hardship on our backs and that of even our grandchildren when they get older! Obviously, we do not elect smart enough politicians to do the right thing.
joel27nc Champion Author Raleigh Posts:5,342 Points:851,120 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2009 12:53:46 AM Ignore joel27nc Report Abuse I think that was John McCain's idea?
IamWhoIam Champion Author San Francisco Posts:11,504 Points:1,161,855 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2009 12:52:57 AM Ignore IamWhoIam Report Abuse $3 billion here, $3 billion there and we might have some coins in our pockets. We have a lot of pockets.
Bubba44612 Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,471 Points:878,350 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2009 12:50:45 AM Ignore Bubba44612 Report Abuse That is the same amount that they spent on Cash For Clunkers! What a coincident?
LoneGuy Champion Author Lansing Posts:3,451 Points:1,323,475 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2009 12:49:34 AM Ignore LoneGuy Report Abuse Until the powers at be figure out how to get "clean" electricity and battery disposal this will do more harm than good but that is typical of grovernent interference. The coal fired power houses are going to charge the cars basically and the environmentalists will block oil, coal, nuclear, and even power lines from wind and solar. They want us to go back to walking or with horses what deficate. Peta will object to the harnessing of horses probably.
ItsMorph Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:26,479 Points:2,171,385 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2009 12:49:00 AM Ignore ItsMorph Report Abuse That's great. We have so much extra money to go around, and all. Especially with Michigan at 15.2%+ unemployment. The government's done us all so well so far.
puljujarvi Champion Author Tampa Posts:3,282 Points:664,410 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2009 12:44:48 AM Ignore puljujarvi Report Abuse Hopefully with this research they will be able to come up with long lasting car batteries that customers can afford to buy in the planned electric and hybrid cars of the future.
goldseeker Champion Author West Virginia Posts:12,680 Points:1,709,715 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2009 12:42:09 AM Ignore goldseeker Report Abuse A good idea. Maybe. But definitely a pork project.
PetroScopper Champion Author Houston Posts:2,089 Points:567,120 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2009 12:31:07 AM Ignore PetroScopper Report Abuse I think this is a great idea!! If used properly, this could make a huge difference in what our future transportation looks like. Plus, we're always one or two steps behind Japan and we need to do better.
goodbuy Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,003 Points:504,885 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2009 12:28:04 AM Ignore goodbuy Report Abuse Three BILLION seems like a lot of research. I am thinking 3 million in research and the rest in wages.
camel1 Champion Author Minnesota Posts:3,620 Points:1,292,575 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2009 12:24:13 AM Ignore camel1 Report Abuse Used for the right research it will be of great help
vulcan96 Champion Author Ohio Posts:17,681 Points:2,090,495 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2009 12:23:51 AM Ignore vulcan96 Report Abuse time will tell if it was a good move, it sounds good, but so much money always seems to get sidetracked !!
eddyp94 Champion Author Ontario Posts:3,976 Points:832,760 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2009 12:22:45 AM Ignore eddyp94 Report Abuse this money could be used for better things...
bad_sailor Champion Author London Posts:2,789 Points:686,505 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2009 12:17:55 AM Ignore bad_sailor Report Abuse Even research gets taxpayer bail-out funds.
must87searcher Champion Author Maryland Posts:3,971 Points:773,205 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2009 12:14:52 AM Ignore must87searcher Report Abuse It could be usefull having some this progream work. If it did, there would be a possibility to sell more autos in thsi nation, and not relie on foreigners to do dot his job. If it is done like that, we can just hope that we will looos more money and close businesses or loose them. Taht is something a lot of people dont want!!
Blue_Cruzer Champion Author Lexington Posts:2,807 Points:733,785 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2009 12:11:11 AM Ignore Blue_Cruzer Report Abuse This administration is spending our money like it grows on trees.
jay4 Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:5,712 Points:1,310,975 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2009 12:10:50 AM Ignore jay4 Report Abuse This stands in the historical tradition of other federal support for transportation: ships, canals, trains, vehicles, aircraft, etc.
biza4u Champion Author New Haven Posts:3,421 Points:619,855 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2009 12:10:25 AM Ignore biza4u Report Abuse Good step in the right direction
NHLiveFree Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:3,787 Points:630,860 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2009 12:07:01 AM Ignore NHLiveFree Report Abuse How about $3 billion for guaranteed student loans. It might just solve two problems rather than one. It would also reduce the national debt as the loans are paid back as students graduate and, hopefully, get good high-paying jobs.
CobraLeader Champion Author New Jersey Posts:235,164 Points:1,097,075 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2009 12:06:20 AM Ignore CobraLeader Report Abuse another tax payer boondagle
bigreddwg Champion Author Tampa Posts:4,372 Points:899,585 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2009 12:04:59 AM Ignore bigreddwg Report Abuse about da** time - since the big 3 or now 2.5 if you count bankrupt chrysler the problem is that detroit refused to build fuel efficient cars which makes you think they were getting a kickback from BIG OIL - HMMMM sounds about right!!
greatscot08 All-Star Author Columbus Posts:944 Points:187,460 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Sep 16, 2009 11:57:23 PM Ignore greatscot08 Report Abuse We shall see...... this makes more sense than alot of other programs The House has come up with of late.....
defcon7 Veteran Author St. Louis Posts:406 Points:57,750 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Sep 16, 2009 11:45:25 PM Ignore defcon7 Report Abuse It can't hurt.When they make a battery to power your home and vehicles that recharges completely by the sun and wind with no more payments to electric grid then I'll be impressed! But until then investing in new battery research can't hurt! Thanks, defcon7
mstearno Champion Author Dayton Posts:3,471 Points:760,885 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Sep 16, 2009 11:38:33 PM Ignore mstearno Report Abuse I think that was John McCain's idea?