Tech Hub At The University of Nevada, Reno Would Boost America’s Lithium Supply Chain
WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) hosted a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) President Brian Sandoval where they discussed several topics, including leveraging UNR’s research on wildfire forecasting, addressing broadband permitting challenges in Northern Nevada, and securing Phase II Tech Hub funding for Nevada to strengthen America’s lithium supply chain. The University of Nevada, Reno was recently designated as one of the inaugural 31 Tech Hubs, which were selected from more than 370 applications.
The Tech Hubs program, authorized by the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act that Senator Rosen helped pass, invests directly in high-potential U.S. regions and aims to transform them into globally competitive innovation centers. This designation is a recognition that Nevada has the assets, resources, and capacity to become a global leader in lithium batteries and electric vehicle innovation. It will also make additional funding opportunities and resources available to UNR’s Tech Hub.
“Northern Nevada has the potential to be a global lithium leader, powering our state’s clean energy future,” said Senator Rosen. “That’s why I convened Secretary Raimondo and President Sandoval to discuss a wide variety of topics and push for funding for the Loop Tech Hub to support efforts to boost our lithium supply chain and create good-paying jobs.”
“The University of Nevada, Reno is uniquely positioned to help Nevada’s key industries develop and grow into worldwide leaders. This includes providing academic and research areas in the development of energy-efficient technologies over the next several years as part of a broader effort that was outlined during this week’s meeting with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and Nevada U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen,” said Brian Sandoval, President of the University Nevada, Reno. “We have stepped up interdisciplinary approaches to prepare our future workforce leaders and to translate research in the Lithium space into industry knowledge. The Tech Hub funding for Nevada, of which our University is a part, represents our future because it represents the power that is gained when we work together and work toward a common goal.”
Senator Rosen has fought to support a Tech Hub designation and further funding for Northern Nevada. The bipartisan CHIPS and Science Law she helped pass established the Tech Hubs Program. Earlier this year, Senator Rosen joined a letter to the Biden Administration requesting full funding for the Tech Hubs Program.
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