Unleashing American Energy, Science, and Innovation: US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright Visits Ames National Laboratory

US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers at the Ames National Laboratory to highlight the lab's cutting-edge research and its pivotal role in addressing national energy and materials engineering challenges. The visit showcased the lab's work in rare earth minerals, critical materials, AI, and next-generation energy technologies, underscoring the importance of investing in American energy, science, and innovation. The group emphasized the need to restore America's energy dominance, secure domestic supply chains, and strengthen the scientific capabilities essential to US competitiveness.

Key Takeaways:

Secretary Wright toured the Critical Materials Innovation Hub, a Department of Energy (DOE) Innovation Hub led by Ames, which is spearheading efforts to restore American energy dominance, secure domestic supply chains, and strengthen the scientific capabilities essential to US competitiveness.
The visit highlighted the lab's cutting-edge research in key mission areas, including rare earth minerals, critical materials, AI, and next-generation energy technologies.
The group emphasized the need for investments in next-generation AI, advanced manufacturing, and critical materials research to build more secure domestic supply chains, lower costs, and deliver greater prosperity for the American people.
The Department recently announced its intent to issue nearly $1 billion to advance mining, processing, and manufacturing technologies across key stages of the critical minerals and materials supply chains.
Secretary Wright's visit marked his 12th stop toward his goal of visiting all 17 Department of Energy National Laboratories this year, underscoring the Administration's commitment to investing in critical energy and minerals infrastructure.
The bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Senator Joni Ernst, Representative Bob Latta, Representative Bruce Westerman, Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks, and Representative Ashley Hinson, emphasized the importance of supporting the work of the National Labs and continuing to fund critical research and innovation.
The visit highlighted the work of Ames National Laboratory and its Director, Karl Mueller, who expressed gratitude for the opportunity to showcase the lab's science and innovation to DOE leadership.

Statistics:

$1 billion: The amount the Department of Energy plans to invest to advance mining, processing, and manufacturing technologies across key stages of the critical minerals and materials supply chains.
12: The number of stops Secretary Wright has made toward his goal of visiting all 17 Department of Energy National Laboratories this year.
17: The number of Department of Energy National Laboratories that Secretary Wright aims to visit in a single year.
4: The number of cabinet officials to visit Iowa this week, including Secretary Wright, underscoring the Trump Administration's commitment to engaging with state leaders.

Sources:

U.S. Department of Energy press release
U.S. Senator Joni Ernst's statement
U.S. Representative Bob Latta's statement
U.S. Representative Bruce Westerman's statement
U.S. Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks' statement
U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson's statement
Ames National Laboratory Director Karl Mueller's statement