Pajarito Powder Selected to Meet with Members of Congress to Discuss Future of Clean Energy Economy and Development
March 13, 2019
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representatives from Pajarito Powder are pleased to have been selected by the Clean Energy Business Network (CEBN)—a group of 3,000+ business leaders in all 50 states working in every part of the clean energy economy—to participate in select meetings with members of Congress on March 12 and 13. The meetings will discuss the need to protect and grow federal funding for the Department of Energy and clean energy innovation overall. CEBN will host 12 small businesses with footprints across 25+ states to showcase their work on Capitol Hill. Small business owners will have the chance to meet representatives from the public and private sector, discuss how their companies have developed and commercialized innovative energy technologies through partnerships with the Department of Energy, Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), and the National Laboratories. These meetings will serve to further the discussion on readily-available and emerging solutions to combat climate change, advance clean energy investment, and power America’s economy.
“I am very much looking forward to sitting down with members our New Mexico Congressional delegation, as well as leaders of other small clean energy companies to discuss the opportunities provided by federal clean energy funding and the importance of continuing that funding.” said Webb Johnson, Senior Director of Business Development, Pajarito Powder. “We are proud to be among those leading the way in fostering a new era of clean energy technology. It is the work being done today small companies, our universities and national research labs that will sustain American leadership in the energy sector and create new opportunities and jobs in the industries of the future.”
Pajarito Powder, LLC develops, manufactures and exports electrocatalysts for use in fuel cells and electrolyzers, globally. The company has received multiple DOE grants and is about to conclude work on an ARPA-E award (2016-2019) for new electrode technology for use in hydrogen generation applications. Pajarito Powder’s advanced catalyst supports improve catalyst efficiency and extend the durability of fuel cells, particularly for challenging applications such as electromobility. The firm is working with an undisclosed number of automakers and suppliers, world-wide.
Support from the U.S. Department of Energy, Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) and National Laboratories, including in particular the Fuel Cell Technologies Office (FCTO) is critical to advancing energy innovation. Federal investments in these programs help support the work of small businesses and startups that are focused on commercializing high-risk, high-reward clean energy technologies. These public-sector investments also help leverage private funding to expedite the commercialization of clean energy technology by breaking down barriers and helping bring cleaner products to the market sooner. As an example, ARPA-E has provided approximately $1.8 billion in R&D funding for more than 660 transformational energy technology projects since 2009, which have so far leveraged more than $2.6 billion in private-sector follow-on funding.
“We are proud of our network of small businesses and the impact they bring not only to the energy industry, but to their local economies as well. They are at the forefront of both innovation and education of what clean energy looks like in their communities. We hope that members of Congress realize the benefit that these small businesses provide to their states and districts,” said Lynn Abramson, President of the Clean Energy Business Network. “Across our country, we need increased collaboration between our private and public sectors to overcome the energy and environmental challenges our country faces.”
During their time in D.C., selected members of the Clean Energy Business Network will discuss with lawmakers the critical technological and environmental challenges facing the U.S. energy industry, and the corresponding importance of continued investment in innovating and deploying the next generation of clean energy solutions. The CEBN and its guests bring unique perspectives from their communities, offering members of Congress a clear lens into in the impact of policies and programs to advance the clean energy economy.
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The Clean Energy Business Network (CEBN) works to advance the clean energy economy through policy, public education, and business support for small and medium-size energy companies. Started in 2009 by The Pew Charitable Trusts, the CEBN is now a small business division of the Business Council for Sustainable Energy. The CEBN represents 3,000+ business leaders across all 50 U.S. states working with a broad range of clean energy and transportation technologies.
Pajarito Powder, LLC is a venture-backed startup, funded by the Verge Fund and other investors, focused on developing advanced hydrogen fuel cell catalysts and catalyst support materials for the automotive and electrolyzer industries. Working with automotive OEMs and other major manufacturers, Pajarito Powder is well poised to lead in the development of new electrocatalyst materials in the rapidly developing industries of hydrogen fuel cells and generation.
Pajarito Powder benefits from resources provided by the State of New Mexico Economic Development Department: JTIP, STEP and other programs through the Office of Science and Technology.