U.S. Commerce Secretary Tours Rutgers' Science, Engineering Labs

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — On Thursday, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo toured science and engineering labs at Rutgers University.

According to Rutgers, these labs test cutting-edge robotics, sustainable manufacturing and "clean" or renewable energy.

New Jersey has been at the forefront in President Biden's green energy push, as Gov. Murphy is moving full-steam ahead building what will become the nation's largest off-shore wind farm ever, to be located directly off the Jersey Coast. Hundreds of wind turbines will be built off the Jersey Shore, likely visible from beaches, providing a total of 2,658 megawatts of wind to New Jersey.

The wind farm will be called Ocean Wind and it will be operated by Ørsted and PSE&G; learn more here: https://oceanwind.com/

Murphy has a goal of creating 7,500 megawatts of offshore wind by 2035 and having the state use 100 percent clean energy by 2050.

Rutgers has an Aerospace Lab that produces new technologies for floating offshore wind turbines that are more energy efficient than current offshore technology, according to the school.

Rutgers is also a national leader in medical trials, as the school is one of the 101 test sites around the world currently testing the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine for children. Children ages six months to 12 years are currently receiving test trials of the Pfizer vaccine at Rutgers. Read more: Rutgers Now Enrolling Children 6 Months And Up In Pfizer Trial

Sec. Raimondo said her tour highlighted the need to spur economic growth in the United States through federal investment in innovation, American manufacturing, and research and development.

Following the tour, Middlesex County Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ6) hosted Secretary Raimondo for a roundtable discussion with offshore wind officials and stakeholders.

“From offshore wind to robotics and sustainable manufacturing, the kind of research happening at Rutgers is critical to maintaining America’s competitive edge," Raimondo said.

President Biden’s American Jobs Plan would create a new office within the Department of Commerce dedicated to monitoring domestic industrial capacity and funding investments to support production of critical goods.

“Today’s visit shines a spotlight on the importance of federal investments in innovation, research and manufacturing, which are all essential to long-term American competitiveness," said Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway.

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