Senate approves increase in wind energy research funding

The Senate approved a measure increasing the amount of money for wind energy research by more than $15 million in its version of an energy and water funding bill Tuesday.

Senators voted 54-42 to adopt an amendment proposed by Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., that would fund wind energy research at the same level in fiscal 2017 as it is for the current fiscal year, at $95.4 million. The bill on the Senate floor contained $80 million for wind energy research funding.