The Department of Energy released a new report highlighting the benefits of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to small businesses throughout the clean, renewable-energy industry and environmental management sector. The report found that, as of early March 2010, small businesses have been selected to receive nearly $5.4 billion in funding across a number of ARRA and related programs, including loans, loan guarantees, grants, contracts and tax incentives, in partnership with the Department of Treasury.

The report draws attention to 26 small businesses in a range of clean-energy technologies, such as wind, solar and biofuels, along with critical new infrastructure, such as the smart grid, advanced batteries, energy storage, and energy-efficiency tools. It also notes small businesses that are helping advance responsible environmental clean-up efforts.

Energy Secretary -Steven Chu and Small Business Administrator Karen Mills are highlighting the report as part of a media conference call. The call also featured Scott Lang, CEO of Silver Spring Networks, and Harrison Dillon, president and CTO of Solazyme.

“Small business are the backbone of job creation in this country and have been a springboard for innovation in the clean-energy sector,” Chu said. “The work these companies do and the innovation they produce will go a long way in helping our economy grow and our nation succeed.”

“Small businesses have created about 64 percent of the new jobs over the past 15 years,” Mills said. “Already, small businesses are one of the driving forces in the green-energy sector. With resources like those provided through the Department of Energy and SBA, we have a unique opportunity to support the creation of good, well-paying jobs here at home that will also help keep America competitive.”
The full report is available at www.doe.gov.