WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Debbie Stabenow says she will seek about $6 billion in federal funding to help automakers modernize their plants and develop advanced batteries critical to plug-in hybrids and advanced vehicles.
The Michigan Democrat told reporters today that she would try to fund some of the initiatives that were part of the energy bill signed into law by President Bush. It requires the auto industry to increase fuel economy standards 40 percent to 35 miles per gallon by 2020.
Stabenow says she will request about $5 billion for loan guarantees for car makers to modernize their old plants, $500 million for advanced battery research, and about $125 million for worker retraining on the new technology.
She said it's critical to help strengthen the industry and keep jobs in the U.S.
