12/27/2006  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   Print Version

Gov. Schwarzenegger Proposes $95 Million to Keep California at Forefront of Research, Innovation, Green Technology

"With some of the world's finest universities and research institutions, the Golden State has more scientists, engineers and researchers and invests more on research and development than any other state," said Governor Schwarzenegger.  "As a leader in developing new technologies, California will reap tremendous rewards for our economy and environment from this investment in our innovation infrastructure."

"Providing much-needed state funding for Berkeley Lab's Helios Project in next year's budget is a smart investment. The new technologies will

be a boon to our economy and carbon-neutral energy will go far in combating the threat of global warming," said Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez.  "In my role as a UC Regent, I have taken a keen interest in the success of the Helios Project. I was fortunate to be briefed on Helios by Dr. Steven Chu, director of the Berkeley Lab in May. Over the summer, he gave a talk on global warming to the Assembly Democrats -- I strongly believe the information he presented to us helped motivate many Assemblymembers to support AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006."

As a part of his proposed budget that will be unveiled in January, the major components of the Governor's Research and Innovation Initiative include:

Helios Project

The Governor's budget provides $30 million in lease revenue bonds for the Helios Project, a groundbreaking initiative by the University of California's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to create sustainable, carbon-neutral sources of energy. The Helios Project will produce the next generation of super-efficient solar energy technology that will help reduce greenhouse gases and our oil dependency. The Helios Project's four goals are 1) generate clean sustainable alternatives to hydrocarbon fuels; 2) develop new energy sources; 3) improve energy conservation; and 4) reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The $30 million will be used to build a new energy/nanotechnology research building for the Helios Project.

Energy Biosciences Institute

The Governor's budget provides $40 million in lease revenue bonds to the University of California for UC Berkeley or UC San Diego in the event that either wins a global competition for the British Petroleum (BP) Energy Biosciences Institute grant. These campuses were among only five universities in the world that were invited to compete for this $500 million grant to build and operate an Energy Biosciences Institute, which will be dedicated to long-term research into the production of alternative fuels. The Institute will focus on converting biomass materials into fuels, converting fossil fuels to energy with less environmental damage and maximizing oil extraction from existing wells in environmentally sensitive ways. To accelerate California's movement towards a clean fuel future, the University of California will dovetail the Institute's work with the Helios Project.

California Centers for Science and Innovation

The Governor's budget provides $19.8 million (General Fund) for the California Institutes for Science and Innovation (CISI). CISI is a multidisciplinary research effort by the University of California-working in partnership with private companies-in the areas of information technology, biomedical research and nanotechnology. With their express goal of sustaining California's global growth and competitiveness, these pioneering institutes bring the world's finest researchers together to find solutions to our greatest medical and technological challenges and position California at the forefront of research, innovation and jobs. Since inception, they have generated more than $1 billion from private and federal sources, dwarfing the state's $400 million initial investment. Charles M. Vest, President Emeritus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and president-elect of the National Academy of Engineering said the San Diego Center "has collected the best team of research professionals anywhere in the country." The $19.8 million will be used for the institutes' operating costs.

Petascale Supercomputer

The University of California leads the world in high-speed computer technology and is poised to debut the next generation of supercomputers. The Governor's budget provides the first $5 million increment in state matching funds to enhance the University of California's bid to build a $200 million Petascale computer. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and UC San Diego are in the running for the Petascale computer. The Petascale computer, named for the speed at which it can process information, will be the most powerful computer in the world. It will provide an enormous competitive advantage to California businesses and universities, helping to attract the best students and faculty from around the world. The Governor's commitment of these funds will significantly enhance the University of California's bid for this groundbreaking project.

Additional statements were provided by the following experts:

"For scientific policies to become reality elected officials must play a leadership role, and Governor Schwarzenegger has been that leader for California when it comes to alternative fuels - solar cell technology and bio-fuels - and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Governor, again this year, is serving as a catalyst for California's research community by including funding in his budget that will help researchers to focus on both the demand and supply sides of energy: the development of clean, sustainable alternative energies, energy efficiency and energy conservation."

--  Dr. Steven Chu, Director of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Professor of Physics at the University of California at Berkeley and Nobel Laureate

"California is home to the most innovative, ambitious and creative people in the world and they have helped put our state at the forefront of so many emerging industries. This takes nourishment from the state to keep California competitive and to maintain that edge for which California has come to be known. 

"It's clear that Governor Schwarzenegger supports research and innovation as the source of this competitiveness and will do what it takes to ensure California remains center-stage in our increasingly complex global marketplace. When the Governor included funding in this coming year's budget to support the multidisciplinary research efforts of the  Institutes for Science and Innovation at the University of California, he sent the strong message that the best and the brightest should work, study, and create here in California."

-- Robert C. Dynes, president of the University of California

"Time and again, Governor Schwarzenegger has proven his dedication to the research and use of alternative energies - and that dedication is paying off for California's economy. Whether it be the Governor's Million Solar Roofs initiative, his Hydrogen Highway, or this new budget funding to help researchers to focus on new energy sources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the Governor has encouraged technology industry investments in California's economy. There's a reason why California leads the nation in technology jobs, clean energy investments, and biotech revenues - just to name a few - and the Governor is working to keep California at the forefront." 

-- Michael Peevey, President of the California Public Utilities Commission

"California is home to 20 percent of the technology jobs in the country, with Californians producing 25 percent of all US patents.  California receives the most venture capital dollars in the world, makes the biggest investments in clean energy technology, and produces the most biotechnology revenues - all a result of the strong innovation partnership between universities, the private sector, and our state. This unique combination has given birth to Silicon Valley in Northern California, Wireless Valley in Southern California, and is beginning to create new industries of solar power, bio-fuels, broadband, and nanotechnology throughout the state.  I believe Governor Schwarzenegger's investment in the University of California and its Institutes for Science and Innovation shows the leadership we need to maintain our state's economic growth, while improving our citizens' quality of life."

-- Larry Smarr, founding director of the California Institute for Telecommunications and  Information Technology