Last night, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) voted for, and the U.S. House of Representatives passed, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023. Two Feenstra-sponsored pieces of legislation – the Weather Innovation for the Next Generation (WING) Act and the Biofuel Cell Research Act – are included in the annual military-preparedness package.
In addition to Feenstra’s legislation, the NDAA increases servicemember baseline pay by 4.6%, includes a one-time 2.2% bonus for servicemembers to combat the effects of inflation, maintains funding for our Navy, and secures a 4.4% overall increase in annual defense spending.
“While our globe becomes increasingly unstable, it is critical that we fully fund our military and provide our troops with the resources and pay that they need to protect our country from foreign threats. China and Russia will stop at nothing to usurp our position as the world’s strongest economic and military superpower. For the sake of our national security and economic vitality, we can never let that happen,” said Rep. Feenstra. “I am also proud that two of my bills were included in the NDAA to improve weather radar accuracy and promote the use of biofuels in emerging fuel cell technologies to generate electricity and power vehicle engines in a cheaper and cleaner manner. This comprehensive package underscores our pledge to support our troops and promote peace and prosperity at home and abroad.”
Inspired by a 2019 U.S. Air Force report to Congress on the impact of wind farms on weather radar accuracy, the WING Act requires the National Weather Service to coordinate with the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and establish an R&D program to improve weather radar detection and prediction capabilities when physical structures like wind turbines obstruct radar line of sight.
The Biofuel Cell Research Act directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a research, development, and demonstration program for a commercially viable fuel cell system that uses biofuels as the main source of power. Working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and other stakeholders, the Secretary of Energy will also establish research and development goals that will result in the demonstration of the fuel cell system.
This legislation stems from recent advancements in fuel cell technology, in which ethanol is used as the primary source of fuel to generate electricity. The electricity is then used to power vehicle engines, resulting in a net zero carbon emission power source.
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