[StBernard] Landrieu Secures Energy Education Funding

[Westley Annis]

Landrieu Secures Energy Education Funding Bill would help educate students
on how energy is produced.

 

WASHINGTON - A United States Senate Conference Committee yesterday
unanimously agreed to a conference report on the America Competes Act, which
includes language by Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., to invest $500,000 in
the National Energy Education Development program.  The program helps
students improve their knowledge of the science and sources of energy, as
well as how it is used and the potential benefits and consequences of
different energy sources.

"Our students know that if they turn on the light switch, their lights will
turn on, but far too few of them know how it works," Sen. Landrieu said.
"As America strives for energy independence, we must turn to domestic means
of energy production and increased conservation.  To remain competitive and
achieve this goal, our younger generations must know how energy is produced
and be inspired to pursue careers in the field.  This funding will be used
to help teach students the pros and cons of many different means of energy
production, preparing our future leaders to make the necessary decisions on
how America should proceed toward energy independence."

The America Competes Act invests heavily in science and math education,
doubling the authorized funding for the National Science Foundation and the
Department of Energy's Office of Science over seven years.  The bill also
provides up to $6 million to help states create specialty math and science
magnet schools, create teacher-training programs for math and science
teachers and encourage mathematicians and scientists to become teachers.

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