Dan Sullivan, U.S. Senator from Alaska | www.sullivan.senate.gov
Dan Sullivan, U.S. Senator from Alaska | www.sullivan.senate.gov
U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) have introduced the DOE and NASA Interagency Research Coordination Act, aiming to enhance cooperation between the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The proposed legislation seeks to promote the sharing of research, technology, and data between the two agencies to drive advancements in science, energy, and space exploration.
Senator Sullivan emphasized Alaska's unique position in these sectors, stating, “Alaska is where space and energy meet. We’re home to world-class launch facilities in Kodiak and leading micro-grid research at the University of Alaska Fairbanks—some of the most advanced in the country. This bill helps ensure our state’s scientists, engineers, and students are part of the national mission to explore, innovate, and power the future. The Department of Energy brings unmatched research labs and supercomputing capabilities. NASA brings world-leading space expertise. When they work together, it’s good for America—and it’s great for Alaska. I want to thank Rep. Begich for leading this effort in the House and look forward to working with Senator Schiff and our colleagues in the Senate to pass this legislation.”
Senator Schiff highlighted the importance of agency collaboration for future innovation: “The partnership between the DOE and NASA is essential for the future development of scientific and energy innovations. I am proud to join Senator Sullivan and Representatives Begich and Whitesides in ensuring both agencies can collaborate to promote and contribute to a variety of programs, including wildfire mitigation — something that is critical to communities in California.”
The act would authorize DOE and NASA to formalize their partnership with a focus on joint research areas such as advanced computing, energy storage, materials science, and space-based observation. Similar legislation has been introduced in the House by Representatives Nick Begich (R-Alaska) and George Whitesides (D-Calif.).
Alerts Sign-up